Potential defenses in any given drunk driving case are almost limitless due to the complexities of the offense. Roughly speaking, however, the majority can be broken down into a few categories. Keep reading to learn more about the 10 most common DUI defenses, according to our Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer.

10 Most Common DUI Defenses in Fort Lauderdale10 Most Common DUI Defenses in Fort Lauderdale

  • Intoxication is not enough: The prosecution must also prove that the defendant was driving. This may be difficult if, as in the case of some accidents, there are no witnesses to his being the driver of the vehicle.
  • Probable cause: Evidence will be suppressed if the officer did not have legal cause to (a) stop, (b) detain, and (c) arrest. Sobriety roadblocks present particularly complex issues.
  • Miranda violations: Incriminating statements may be suppressed if warnings, aka Miranda Rights, were not given/read at the appropriate time.
  • Implied consent warnings: If the officer did not advise you of the consequences of refusing to take a chemical test, or gave it incorrectly, in some states (including California), this may affect admissibility of the test results—as well as the license suspension imposed by the motor vehicle department.
  • “Under the influence:” The officer’s observations and opinions as to intoxication can be questioned—the circumstances under which the field sobriety tests were given, for example, or the subjective (and predisposed) nature of what the officer considers as “failing.” Too, witnesses can testify that you appeared to be sober.
  • Blood-alcohol concentration: There exists a wide range of potential problems with blood, breath, or urine testing. “Non-specific” analysis, for example. Most breath machines will register many chemical compounds found on the human breath as alcohol. And breath machines assume a 2100-to-1 ratio in converting alcohol in the breath into alcohol in the blood; in fact, this ratio varies widely from person to person (and within a person from one moment to another). Radio frequency interference can result in inaccurate readings. These and other defects in analysis can be brought out in cross-examination of the state’s expert witness and/or the defense can hire its own forensic chemist.
  • Testing during the absorptive phase: The blood, breath, or urine test will be unreliable if done while you are still actively absorbing alcohol (it takes 30 minutes to three hours to complete absorption; this can be delayed if food is present in the stomach). Thus, drinking “one for the road” can cause inaccurate test results.
  • Retrograde extrapolation: This refers to the requirement that the BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) be “related back” in time from the test to the driving. Again, a number of complex physiological problems are involved here.
  • Regulation of blood-alcohol testing: The prosecution must prove that the blood, breath, or urine test complied with state requirements as to calibration, maintenance, etc.​
  • License suspension hearings: a number of issues can be raised in the context of an administrative hearing before the state’s department of motor vehicles.

Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been involved in a DUI in the state of Florida, it's important to hire a skilled and experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer to see what your options for defense are. Robert David Malove is a skilled and competant criminal attorney who has experience defending DUI clients for over 30 years in Florida.

To schedule a FREE, no-cost case evaluation with our Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer, contact our team online or give us a call at (954) 861-0384 now!