Many St. Cloud area drivers know the following scenario. You’re driving around on an area road and the dreaded flashing lights and siren pull up behind you. You’re panicking wondering why you’re being pulled over and how this is going to impact your life. Minnesota takes drunk driving seriously so being arrested for this crime can change a person’s life. An aggressive defense is important in minimizing the charges against you.
There are several defense strategies your criminal defense attorney can use if you’re facing DWI charges. These include the following:
- The officer did not have a reason to pull you over. An officer needs reasonable suspicion that a crime is occurring before pulling someone over. The driver needs to be speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, or violating other traffic laws. Your attorney may argue that the traffic stop should not have happened in the first place and all charges should be dismissed.
- The field test was not properly administered. If the arresting officer did not adhere to sobriety test protocols, that evidence may not be used against you.
You have an underlying medication condition. There are certain medical conditions that can affect a breathalyzer test or make you appear to be drunk or incoherent. These include diabetes, heartburn, among others. These conditions can make you appear to be drunk or can lead to a higher breathalyzer test.
You have the right to fight drunk driving charges. A legal professional who is skilled in criminal defense can help you understand your options. They will do everything they can to reduce or even dismiss the charges against you.
