Fairfax DUI First Offense Defense Attorneys
Many people believe that there is no defense to a drunk driving charge if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over the legal threshold of .08 percent. Depending on the circumstances, there are many sound defenses to DUI charges. By carefully reviewing the facts of the case, the basis for the stop, the arrest, the field tests, and the blood alcohol test, your legal counsel may be able to help you avoid a conviction. Our Fairfax DUI first offense defense lawyers at MacDowell & Associates have helped thousands of clients avoid a conviction or have helped lessen the legal and practical consequences of a drunk driving arrest.
Any arrest is a cause for anxiety and concern. However, there is a great deal that experienced legal counsel can do to help someone who is facing a first-time drunk driving charge. Contact us online or call 703-591-1336 to schedule a meeting to discuss your situation.
Challenging the Reliability of the Breathalyzer
Virginia law states that a drunk driving suspect should be given a breath test if the machine, known as the Intoxilyzer 5000, is available. If the Breathalyzer measures your BAC at .08 or higher, all hope is not lost. This equipment can be highly unreliable and the attorneys at MacDowell & Associates know how to challenge the results. Perhaps your mouth temperature is different than what the machine is calibrated to read it as. Perhaps your breathing pattern led to an erroneously high reading. That is to say nothing of equipment malfunctions and the inherent error of the machine, which can be as high as plus or minus .01%.
When our Herndon criminal defense lawyers take your case, we will thoroughly investigate all possible avenues for challenging the results of the Breathalyzer test. If you were unwilling or unable to take the breath test, we can still mount a strong defense based on other evidence, such as whether there was probable cause to stop your car, or whether the officer was properly trained in administering the breath test and field sobriety tests.
A Former Prosecutor Fighting for Your Rights
Our founding attorney, Richard MacDowell, is a former Virginia prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience. He understands how the prosecution builds drunk driving cases and he will use this to your advantage. We will review all of the prosecutor's evidence and other documentation to see if corners were cut or mistakes were made. At every turn, we will raise doubts about the reliability of the state's evidence.
Contact Our Vienna DUI Arrest Defense Lawyers
If you have been charged with drunk driving, protect your rights with experienced legal help. Contact us online or call 703-591-1336 for an initial consultation to discuss your case.
