Many people who are charged with driving under the influence believe that it is inevitable that they will be convicted. That is why many decide to make a deal with the prosecutor resulting in almost zero concessions in exchange for a guilty verdict. In some instances, there may be mistakes made by law enforcement that results in dropped charges or acquittals. In other instances, the state may not have enough evidence to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was driving under the influence. That is why it is often beneficial to hire a DUI Lawyer in Reading PA in order to avoid a conviction for driving under the influence.
First of all, the police may have made mistakes that can result in avoiding a conviction. For example, the police need to have sufficient probable cause to stop a vehicle. A broken headlight is sufficient grounds for a traffic stop. If the police pulled someone over for no reason, then it may be possible for the DUI lawyer in Reading PA to get the DUI charges dropped. Another common problem with DUI traffic stops is that the equipment used for the breathalyzer test may not have been maintained properly. Erroneous results can also occur when the police officer does not administer the breathalyzer test properly.
For example, the defendant must not burp during a short time period before the test since that could lead to an erroneously high reading. Another mistake that the police may make is to conduct a field sobriety test that is unfair. For example, if the defendant had documented injuries that make it difficult to walk, that could render the test invalid. Conducting the field sobriety test in slippery or icy conditions may render the results inconclusive. Defendants should not assume that their cases will result in automatic convictions. Visit Ebner Nevins & McAllister LLC for more information.
Ultimately, it is up to a jury to decide the innocence or guilt of the defendant. If there are lots of problems with the case, a good DUI Lawyer in Reading PA could get the punishment reduced significantly. Or the defendant may choose to let a jury decide. Remember, the burden of proof is high for the state in a criminal case. Proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is often quite difficult if some of the evidence is found to be inadmissible. Contact your lawyer for a consultation appointment.
