Record Details: What’s Important to My DUI Case?

When dealing with a DUI, it can be difficult to remember every single detail. No matter your level of intoxication, going through the motions of a DUI arrest can be quite disorienting. For this reason, it can be incredibly beneficial to record all of the details surrounding the time leading up to, during, and after your stop. By taking the time to record details, you might help your attorney to better fight your case. So, we’re going to help you decide what’s important, and what to write down.

Record Details: What’s Important to My DUI Case?

Where were you and at what time did you have your last drink?

A smart thing to do on your end, is to record when and where you had your last drink. If you have receipts, hold onto them. Try and be specific in your details, and make note of them. Include anything you might have eaten or drank before hitting the road as well. Having a record of your intake can help to show that you are coherent, and also that there were other things besides alcohol going into your system.

Describe your driving just before the officer stopped you

Make a note of your driving, and be honest about it. Were you swerving? Running off of the road? Were you distracted? Did you drop something and lean over to get it? Keep a record of how fast you were going, what road, your driving, and how long it took for you to pull over after you saw blue lights. Every detail can be helpful to your lawyer.

What was the reason for pulling you over?

When the officer stops you, and walks to your window, the first thing they should do is to tell you why you were stopped. Did you have a broken tail light? Did you swerve? Speeding? Recount the conversations, actions, and so forth. The more details, will undeniably be better.

Appearance and Conduct

Another thing to make note of is your appearance and the way you act. If you felt nervous, scared, or confused, be sure to include that. You’ll want to make note of emotions, how you look at the time of your stop, and the way that you spoke with the officer. While it might feel embarrassing to relay to your attorney, they’re on your side here. Any information you share with them is privileged, private, and only helps them to further establish your case.

The importance of specifics

The details can be quite telling when it comes down to it. Writing down those actions, details, and conversations can give your attorney a lot to go on. Not to mention, as time goes by, it can be easy for details to fail you or become muddy. When you record details surrounding the event, you have a reliable source to revisit when you’re in need of clarification.

Removing DUI Charges: How Long is This on My Record?

If you’ve recently faced a DUI, you’re likely wondering how long you’ll be affected by this mistake. After all, it was a mistake; a bad judgement call. Now, you’re wondering how your DUI will influence future employment opportunities, your ability to drive, and your record. When it comes to removing DUI charges, it takes quite a while to get it done…

Removing DUI Charges: How Long is This on My Record?

Remove DWI charges may be at the top of your to-do list after your arrest. A DWI charge can affect many areas of your life. Things like jobs, insurance, and housing may depend on your background check. Therefore, having a DWI on your record for any amount of time can be harmful to your career and future. But just how long does a DWI blemish your record? That can depend on several things…

Raising Your Insurance for 3 years

A DWI can cause a spike in your insurance cost. This higher premium can last for up to three years. While prices may vary from each representative, they will still give you a higher quote than someone with a clean record. After those three years, your offense should not affect your policy and the cost should go down.

7 Year Look Back Period

A look back period consist of 7 years when your DWI stays on your record for sentencing purposes. In short, this means that during that time, you can get no other drinking and driving offenses. If during that 7 year period you get another DWI, it will count as a second offense. This can mean more severe fines and punishments which most likely will include jail time.

15 Years for Expungement

Even after your insurance cost goes down and the look back period is over, a DWI stays on your criminal history. That means it will still show up on background checks. For this reason, after 15 years you may wish to have your DWI expunged and file for removing DUI charges. This can take place only if you remained free of other criminal convictions. Once you have your charge expunged it will no longer show up on back ground checks.

DWI Stop Myths: Trying to Cheat the System

Facing a DWI-related stop, and potential DWI, can be quite frightening. You don’t know if you’re within the legal limit, what your rights are, and if you can do anything to help your case. You’ve likely heard a few little pieces of DWI stop folklore and you might want to try them out now and help your case. However, those folklore’s? Are mostly DWI stop myths. Do any of them work? Ultimately, there’s not too much you can do to cheat a DWI stop, as it’s pretty cut and dry. But, let’s take a look at those DWI stop myths, and we’ll explain to you why it is that they’re unsuccessful.

DWI Stop Myths: Trying to Cheat the System

Cheating a Breath Test 

Possibly the most common of DWI stop myths, many people believe you can cheat a breath test. The myth is that you can cheat the test to produce a lower BAC and therefore, test under the legal limit. For example, people believe you can cheat a breath test by drinking mouth wash. While the mouth wash may mask the smell of alcohol, it may actually worsen your breath test. Many mouth washes have a low amount of alcohol in them, which could actually make your breath results even higher.

In another example, people believe you can suck on pennies to cheat a breath test. However, most breath test devices use an infrared light to measure the drop in intensity in light. Therefore, the copper from the pennies will not be able to throw off the device.

Reducing your drunkeness

Some other DWI stop myths focus on lowering how drunk you’ve become. In short, you want to be able to drink but then remain sober enough to drive. For instance, many people believe drinking strong, black coffee will help sober you up to drive. So after drinking too much, they may drink coffee in hopes of being able to drive home. Another idea like this, is to eat greasy foods after drinking. For instance, many people believe eating a big cheeseburger or slice of pizza will lower their blood alcohol concentration.

In reality, your BAC rises based on how much you drink

Nothing is going to speed up the process of lowering it. You must allow your body time to process the alcohol through your system. In short, most DWI stop myths are just that— myths. Once you drink and drive, you are subject to facing a DWI. While there isn’t much you can do to alter the outcome of the stop, there are things you can do to alter the outcome of your case. So, speak with an attorney about defense options for fighting your DWI.