It can feel like the deck is stacked against you in a drunk driving case. And with compelling evidence on their side, the prosecution will push for harsh penalties that will disrupt your daily life, impacting everything from your ability to drive to your ongoing employment. With so much at stake, it’s imperative that you do everything possible to effectively defend yourself. Previously on this blog we’ve discussed some effective DUI defense strategies that you might be able to utilize, but in this post we want to look at something a little different: the mistakes that you can make when navigating your DUI defense.
This isn’t something you can afford to overlook, either. An unwarranted mistake could crater your criminal defense, leading to your conviction and the imposition of severe penalties. So, you need to be cognizant of commonly made errors in these types of cases, that way you have a better idea of what you need to be on the lookout for moving forward and can act to head off any potentially harmful mistakes.
It may not seem like it, but there are several errors that you can make in a drunk driving case, any one of which can put you behind the 8-ball in your case. Here are some of the biggest errors that you’ll want to be sure to avoid:
- Not taking your charges seriously: It might seem like your charges are less severe than others, but you still have to navigate them appropriately. After all, conviction could mean license suspension or revocation, fines and even jail or prison time. So, take your case seriously so that you build the aggressive criminal defense that you need.
- Talking about the case with family and friends: Talking about your case with those closest to you might seem like a great way to ease the burden you’re carrying and find support, but it can be costly to your case. This is because the prosecution can subpoena those individuals to testify against you, and there’d be very little, if anything, you could do to prevent those people from testifying to what you told them. If you need to talk about your case, do so with your attorney so that your statements are protected by the attorney-client privilege.
- Assuming the prosecution will win: Even if it seems like there’s a mountain of evidence against you, the police and prosecution make mistakes all the time that you might be able to use to your advantage. An illegal police stop, errant collection of evidence and witness bias can all taint the evidence that the prosecution intends to present against you. But it’s up to you to show these issues in court and try to block harmful evidence from being used against you.
- Admitting guilt: You’re better off not talking to the police when you’re under investigation for criminal wrongdoing. But even if you do make a statement, avoid saying anything that can be construed as admitting wrongdoing. If possible, hold off on making any statements until you’re able to discuss the matter with your attorney.
A poorly developed DUI defense can land you in hot water where your future is in jeopardy. As frightening as that can be, take comfort knowing that you can instead educate yourself on the DUI defense process and build effective legal arguments that protect your interests as much as possible given the facts at hand. If that’s something you’d like to learn more about, then please continue reading our blog and discuss the unique facts of your case with your criminal defense attorney.