DUI Defenses

Logue Law Group is well known and respected in the greater Pittsburgh area for its experienced and aggressive handling of DUI charges. Attorney Sean Logue has been defending clients against DUI for more than a decade, achieving countless favorable outcomes in the local courts. Because of the serious consequences that a DUI conviction can have, it is vital that you immediately hire a reputable criminal defense attorney. 

At our firm, you will have the advantage of a Pittsburgh DUI defense attorney who understands all factors in DUI cases, from the legal to the scientific and technical. We will thoroughly investigate all these areas for potential defense options that can invalidate the state’s case against you. Our firm is committed to providing you with the highest quality of legal representation when facing the life-changing consequences of any serious criminal charge.

Charged with DUI? Schedule a free case evaluation with our Pittsburgh DUI defense attorney at Logue Law Group. Submit your contact details online or call (412) 612-2210 today.

Types of DUI Cases We Handle

Our firm defends all DUI cases, including:

• 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

We are familiar with all potential defense arguments that can tilt the case in your favor.

These can include:

You Weren’t Impaired

Police often rely on physical indications to judge whether a person is impaired or not. For instance, they may consider you to be under the influence if you have bloodshot eyes or a flushed face. However, these aren’t only the results of intoxication; they can also be caused by illness and allergies. Thus, in some cases, the basic ground for the field sobriety test can be proven false, and the charges can be dropped.

The Stop Wasn’t Legal

The U.S. Constitution affords you certain rights under the Fourth Amendment. These rights protect you against unreasonable searches and seizures without probable cause. Ultimately, a person can only have three types of interactions with the police: Consensual encounters, investigative stops, and arrests. Since this is a case of investigative stop, the police must work under the limits that the law has mandated for them. Any violation of your constitutional rights means that the evidence collected won’t be admissible in court.

No Valid Reason to Stop You Existed

The law states that the police should have a legitimate reason to stop you, and this includes the possibility of a crime. Without a valid reason to stop you, they have committed an illegal action. Evidence gathered by them after this is not admissible in court, and a DUI defense attorney can have it excluded.

The DUI Checkpoint Did Not Meet Standards

Every DUI checkpoint needs to meet certain guidelines and standards. Such checkpoints are set in places where regular violations have occurred, or places agreed upon by supervising officials. These checkpoints must be clearly marked. Law enforcement does not have the freedom to stop drivers anywhere and everywhere. At our firm, we will take note of whether these standards were followed. If violated, the charges against you would likely be invalid. 

The Chemical Test Wasn’t Administered Correctly

Clear standards have been set concerning how blood, urine, and breath samples are taken and measured. These tests need to be conducted within two hours of arrest. Testing equipment should be in proper working order. Any irregularity in the device would make their results inadmissible. 

Testing Equipment Wasn’t Calibrated Properly

Devices used to test breath and blood must be calibrated to ensure their results are reliable. If not properly calibrated, test results can be thrown out. 

You Weren’t Driving the Vehicle

The basic argument for a DUI charge is based on a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above, or visible impairment. If you weren’t actually driving the vehicle, however, you can’t be charged for intoxication. If the police came to the scene and failed to see you actually sitting in the driver’s seat, they can’t simply assume you were drinking and driving. Witness testimony that you did not drive the vehicle is enough to get the charges dismissed.

The Police Report Is Not Accurate

Police often tend to exaggerate in their reports to ensure that you are held guilty and punished accordingly. While the police representative relies on the report, a DUI defense lawyer can point out any shortcomings or inconsistencies to the court. Discrepancies in the report can be enough to discredit police testimony, resulting in case dismissals. 

How a DUI Defense Attorney Can Help 

Many potential defense arguments can be used in defending DUI clients. At Logue Law Group, we will thoroughly explore all possibilities to protect your rights and interests against DUI charges.

Fill out our online contact form or call (412) 612-2210 to schedule a free consultation.