Common themes when it comes to DUI defense strategies

When Tennessee residents face drunk driving charges, they are understandably apprehensive about how the case will turn out. For most people, a drunk driving charge is the most serious criminal charge they will ever face. How the case turns out can make a big difference in a person's life.

For some people, the best approach to a DUI case is to try to negotiate a plea agreement as quickly as possible and put the case behind them. However, there are other situations in which it might be best to press the prosecution and the law enforcement officials who support the case to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the charge is in fact valid. There are some common themes that come up in DUI defense cases.

One of the most effective strategies is to question why the traffic stop occurred in the first place. What was the reason the law enforcement official who pulled you over gave for stopping your vehicle? If there was an improper traffic stop, the whole DUI case may be called into question. Or, the arrestee may question the validity of how field sobriety and breathalyzer tests were administered. Did the law enforcement official follow the right protocol? There are other approaches to a DUI defense strategy as well, such as pointing out that perhaps the driver was under "duress" at the time of the incident and had no choice but to get behind wheel. Or, perhaps it was "necessary" to avoid a greater evil from occurring.

Anyone in Tennessee who is facing drunk driving charges needs to consider the best defense approach for the case in question. Sometimes it is better to push back against the charges than to accept a plea deal. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help walk you through your options so that you can make a decision that is right for you.