DUI Defenses

Logue Law Group is well-known in the greater Harrisburg area for its strong reputation and respected skills, especially when it comes to aggressively handling DUI charges. Attorney Sean Logue brings more than 10 years of experience to the table, consistently securing good results for clients and achieving unmatched success in local courts. Because a DUI conviction can have serious consequences, it is crucial to hire a trusted criminal defense lawyer right away.

At our group, we offer you a clear edge—a top-notch Harrisburg federal criminal lawyer who deeply understands the many sides of DUI cases, from legal details to scientific and technical factors. We carefully examine every part of your case to find defense options that can effectively challenge the state’s claims against you. Our goal is to provide the highest quality legal representation when you are facing the life-changing effects of a serious criminal charge.

Dealing with a DUI charge? Set up a free case evaluation with our respected Harrisburg DUI attorney at Logue Law Group. Send us your contact info online or call us now at 412-387-6901.

Types of DUI Cases We Handle

• First-offense DUI
• Second DUI
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Driving under the influence of prescription drugs
• Underage DUI
• DUI with accident/injury
• DUI with blood alcohol content over 0.16%
• DUI with child endangerment
• Out-of-state DUI
• Extreme DUI

Potential Defenses to Your DUI Charge

When you are up against a DUI charge, knowing your possible defenses is key to protecting your rights and tipping the case in your favor. This article looks at several main defense arguments that can be used to fight the charges and ensure a fair legal process.

These may include:

You Weren’t Impaired

Police often look for physical signs, like red eyes or a red face, to decide if someone is impaired. But these signs can also come from things that have nothing to do with being drunk, such as being sick or having allergies. A skilled Harrisburg federal criminal lawyer can show that these visual signs are not solid proof of impairment. By doing this, the grounds for the field sobriety test can be questioned, which could lead to the charges being dropped.

The Stop Wasn’t Legal

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures without a good reason. For a DUI stop, the police must follow specific legal rules. If we can prove the stop was unlawful, any evidence gathered afterward cannot be used in court. This significantly weakens the prosecution’s case against you.

No Valid Reason to Stop You Existed

For a stop to be legal, the police must have a valid reason to detain you, usually involving suspicion of a crime. If there was no valid reason for the stop, the encounter is considered an illegal action. As a result, any evidence collected after a stop that wasn’t authorized is considered inadmissible. This gives a Harrisburg DUI attorney a strong basis to challenge the charges.

The DUI Checkpoint Did Not Meet Standards

DUI checkpoints in Pennsylvania must follow set guidelines and standards. These checkpoints need to be placed in areas where violations have happened before or must be approved by supervising officials. Proper signs are also required to make sure everything is transparent and fair. If these requirements aren’t met, the charges against you might be invalid. Evaluating whether the checkpoint followed the rules is a key part of your defense strategy.

The Chemical Test Wasn’t Administered Correctly

Getting accurate results from blood, urine, and breath samples is critical in DUI cases. There are clear rules about when and how these tests should be done, including a maximum two-hour window after arrest. Also, the testing equipment must be calibrated and maintained correctly. Any mistake or failure to follow the established protocols can make the test results inadmissible as evidence. A knowledgeable Harrisburg federal criminal lawyer knows that this can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case.

Testing Equipment Wasn’t Calibrated Properly

To get reliable results, it is vital to properly calibrate the devices used for breath and blood testing. If these devices aren’t calibrated, the test results can be invalid, making them inadmissible in court.

You Weren’t Driving the Vehicle

The main reason for a DUI charge is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or visible impairment while driving. However, if you weren’t driving the vehicle, you can’t be charged with intoxication. Just because the police assume you were drinking and driving doesn’t mean it’s true if they didn’t see you in the driver’s seat. Witness testimony confirming you weren’t driving can lead to the charges being dismissed.

The Police Report Is Not Accurate

Police reports often have exaggerations to help ensure a conviction and punishment. However, a Harrisburg DUI attorney can look closely at these reports to find errors and inconsistencies. Even small differences in the report can hurt the credibility of the police officers’ testimony, which can lead to the case being dismissed.

How a DUI Defense Attorney Can Help

A lawyer in Dauphin County can use various arguments to defend clients facing DUI charges. At Logue Law Group, we look at every possible option to protect your rights and interests.

Take the first step in protecting yourself by filling out our online contact form or calling 412-387-6901 to schedule a free consultation.