A driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrest can be a life-altering experience, leading to a criminal record that can have far-reaching consequences. A conviction can significantly impact your future, affecting your chances of securing social housing, education and employment opportunities.
Moreover, in today’s digital age, automated systems are rarely accurate when distinguishing the severity of offenses when displaying criminal records. This issue means that a DWI conviction can be viewed similarly to more severe crimes, such as fraud, when filtering applicants for various opportunities.
Protecting your rights
Building a strong defense against DWI charges is crucial to avoid these consequences. A good starting point is to examine the circumstances surrounding your arrest and ask two critical questions:
- Did the law enforcers have reasonable suspicion to stop you? The police must have a valid reason to pull you over. Remember, it is not enough to claim that you “looked suspicious” or didn’t fit a specific profile. To justify the stop, they must have observed you committing a traffic violation, which could indicate intoxication. Alternatively, if you matched the description of a suspect in a previous crime, that could also constitute reasonable suspicion.
- Did they have probable cause to arrest you? The police must also have sufficient evidence to arrest you for drunk driving. This proof could include failing a field sobriety test or breathalyzer test, exhibiting signs of intoxication or having open containers of alcohol while driving.
You can establish a robust defense against DWI charges by understanding the answers to these questions. With this approach, you have a better chance of avoiding the significant consequences of a conviction.
What you need to know as a defender
It’s essential to remember that a DWI arrest is not necessarily a conviction. Remember that you have the right to challenge the allegations against you and mitigate the impact of this experience on your life.
