Hopkinsville DUI Lawyer

Hopkinsville DUI Attorney

Being charged for driving under the influence (DUI) in Hopkinsville can cause numerous issues in an individual’s life. With harsh penalties designed to deter this type of behavior, anyone who is found guilty could face large fines or jail time, among other severe consequences. In these cases, having a Hopkinsville DUI Lawyer can serve as a valuable resource to help drop or reduce the charges you face.

At the law office of Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, our team has a strong command of DUI law in Hopkinsville. Our confidence stems from years of working hard to help reduce and dismiss DUI charges on behalf of our clients. Our desire to uphold justice is what motivates us every day to ensure all our clients are afforded a quality criminal defense strategy. Connect with us today if you have been recently charged and are ready to take the next step to defend your rights.

Popular Defense Strategies for DUI Charges

Understanding the wide range of possible defense strategies that could help a defendant in their DUI case is crucial for moving forward. It can help narrow down the most favorable methods to protect your driver’s license and demonstrate your position on what happened.

Some of the most common include:

• Challenging the Traffic Stop. One of the first areas an attorney will investigate is the traffic stop. They will be curious to see if the chain of events that led to your arrest was lawful. This is because police officers are required to have a valid reason for pulling you over, like reckless driving behavior or ignoring a traffic sign. If there isn’t any proof that an officer had justification for the stop, a defense attorney will argue that any evidence collected during that interaction should be deemed inadmissible in court.
• Questioning Field Sobriety Tests. Before an officer can arrest someone and issue a DUI charge, they will need to conduct a field sobriety test to help them make that decision. However, these tests can be subjective. Their results could also be influenced by other unrelated factors, such as a medical condition or fatigue. An attorney will scrutinize how these tests were administered to find any reason to question the result’s legitimacy.
• Evaluating the Breathalyzer Results. Establishing the accuracy of a breathalyzer test will be a crucial component of the prosecution’s case. In order for these tests to be accurate, the devices must be maintained regularly. A defense attorney will spend time looking through the device’s calibration records to see if there are any oversights that could invalidate their client’s BAC results.
• Examining an Officer’s Conduct. The specific behavior and conduct of a law enforcement officer as they arrest someone could impact a DUI case. A defense attorney will look into whether an officer followed all mandatory protocols. If there is any evidence to suggest a misstep in this process that might have violated the accused’s constitutional rights, this could be enough evidence to question the validity of the case.
• Medical and Health Conditions. There are a number of different medical conditions that can mimic the appearance of someone who is intoxicated or impact the results of a chemical test. For example, a neurological condition could be the reason they were driving recklessly rather than because they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol. A defense attorney will collaborate with your healthcare provider to produce evidence that validates your condition.
• Witness Testimonies. Any third party who was near the scene and observed what happened could provide valuable insights that support your defense. This could be anyone from the passenger in your own vehicle who could attest to your sobriety to a random stranger who happened to be walking by during the incident. All of these personal claims of what happened can be pivotal to building a strong defense against the DUI charge.

While this list is not exhaustive, it covers some of the most popular defense strategies employed to help drop or reduce DUI penalties. To ensure you are moving forward in your case with the most advantageous defense strategy, hire a criminal lawyer to better understand each detail of your case and what strengths exist to secure you a more favorable outcome.

DUI Lawyer FAQs

Q: How Much Does a DUI Attorney Cost in Kentucky?

A: The total cost to hire a DUI attorney in Kentucky rests heavily on how complicated the case is and how many years of experience the attorney has. This is because complicated cases take longer to solve and will result in more court and attorney fees as the case is being worked on. Also, attorneys can charge a premium for their services if they are well-established in the industry and have a strong track record of winning cases.

Q: How Can I Have My DUI Charges Dropped in Kentucky?

A: It is possible to have your DUI charges dropped in Kentucky. You need to hire a legal defense team that already has a history of helping clients that end, as it can be difficult and is not a guarantee. A criminal defense attorney will be able to investigate and determine exactly what happened to see if there are any vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s narrative. For example, they may find a certain witness has some inconsistencies in their recollection of what happened.

Q: What Is the Legal Limit for a DUI in Kentucky?

A: The legal limit to avoid being charged with a DUI in Kentucky for anyone over 21 is a BAC under .08. For drivers under the age of 21, a BAC level over .02 is illegal. These results are acquired by either the use of a breathalyzer or blood test, which both can be challenged in court. If you have been accused of driving with an illegal BAC level, a defense attorney can look into the validity of these tests to raise doubt they collected an accurate reading.

Contact a DUI Defense Attorney Today

If you have recently been accused of driving under the influence in Kentucky, call Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law. Over the past several years, we have developed a strong sense of what it takes to help drop and reduce DUI charges against our clients. We would love to extend the same support to you. Contact us today to begin.