The last thing you want to happen to you in Orange County or elsewhere in the state is a conviction for driving under the influence. The conviction can damage your reputation, impair your job performance and even damage relationships and future job chances. If you have a DUI charge, it is important to understand your rights, take the right steps and put your reputation and livelihood back on track where it should be.
Arrests for driving under the influence
Police can arrest anyone whose driving is impaired by having drugs in their system that are not prescribed or warranted. Unfortunately, drug test results may show a trace of sleeping pills and other drugs that do not affect your driving, resulting in a DUI. On top of this, the test results may take a month to go back to the police station.
Drug recognition examiners
Police can make DUI arrests without immediate test results through the use of individuals called drug recognition examiners. These trained individuals look for signs that a driver is under the influence of drugs. These examiners make mistakes, however, as their decision comes from subjectivity and their own perceptions.
Impairment testing
There are four tests that police officers give to detect impairments as well, typically during a traffic stop. These include:
- Modified Romberg balance test
- Finger-to-nose test
- Walk and turn test
- One-leg stand test
Sober volunteers who assess the reliability of these tests often fail. This indicates that the results may sometimes be invalid, resulting in a police officer giving you an unnecessary DUI charge when you are completely sober.
Defending against DUI charges
DUI convictions can completely change your life, so you’ll want to contact a defense attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney may help you fight a DUI charge to avoid negative consequences that impact your ability to hold a job and otherwise provide for your future.