FREE CASE EVALUATION

Important Tips To Help You Avoid Conviction And Losing Your License






5 things the Prosecuting Attorney may not want you to know :
He does not have all the witnesses available to prove his case.
He has exculpatory evidence which would prove your innocence.
You have a right to a jury trial within six months of pleading not guilty.
He has evidentiary problems in proving your blood alcohol level.
He's bluffing.

6 of the facts that must be proved before you can be found guilty:
1. Your identity
2. As a driver
3. Of a motor vehicle
4. In the state of West Virginia, while
5. Your blood alcohol level was over the prescribed limit (.1 until 5/5/04, then .08) or
6. You were substantially incapable of driving (driving under the influence) or

What you must do immediately to preserve your right to drive:
Respond to the DMV suspension order by making a proper request for a hearing on the proposed suspension - don’t forget that you have to make all the necessary challenges.

10 questions your attorney must ask you.
1. What your itinerary was prior to arrest.
2. Your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
3. Your observations of the officer.
4. The officer's stated reasons for stopping you.
5. Whether the officer asked or ordered you to take roadside field sobriety tests.
6. Your performance on roadside tests.
7. Statements you made to the officer.
8. What the results were of any breath or blood tests.
9. Whether there were witnesses to your arrest.
10. Whether you were observed prior to a breath test,

What are the 4 items crucial to your defense?
1. A good investigation of the facts.
2. Vigorous cross-examination.
3. A sound understanding of constitutional principles.
4. An experienced attorney.
Why a jury trial is advisable:
Six people have to agree on your guilt instead of one.

What is necessary to get a jury trial?
You automatically have a right to a jury trial, but you must exercise that right within 20 days of first appearing before a judge after your arrest.

How the arresting officer's testimony can be discredited:
1. Inconsistent statements.
2. Failure to recollect.

6 requirements which must be followed for chemical and roadside tests to be valid:
1. The officer must have had a reasonable suspicion that you were violating the law.
2. The officer must have either had probable cause to arrest you or obtain your consent for roadside tests.
3. The officer must have probable cause to believe you were operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs before he requires you to take a chemical test.
4. The officer must give you your Miranda rights after you are arrested, if he is going to interrogate you.
5. The officer must advise you of your obligation to submit to chemical tests.
6. The test must be preceded by a proper deprivation or observation period.

What are the 2 key pieces of information which must be learned in deciding to go to trial?
1. An estimation of the weaknesses and strengths of the State's case against you.
2. The effect of a conviction.

How to determine if you can plea bargain, and at what step you should do it.
It's a cost benefit analysis. How much do you have to defend your case?

What effect will this arrest have on my license and when will I be able to drive?
If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was over the legal limit or you refused a test, you may not be able to drive at all for a long period of time.

What 4 preliminary motions should be filed, and the danger to you if they aren't.
1. Motion to suppress evidence on the ground that you were unconstitutionally stopped.
2. Motion to suppress evidence on the grounds that there was an unconstitutional search and seizure. 3. Motion to suppress statements on failure to give Miranda rights.
4. Motion for Discovery of all evidence.
If these motions are not filed, your case may not be dismissed when it should have been. You may not be told about evidence which would prove your innocence.

7 defense tactics in pre-trial motions:
1. Contest the constitutionality of the stop.
2. Contest the constitutionality of the administration of roadside tests.
3. Contest the constitutionality of the probable cause to arrest.
4. Contest the constitutionality of the Miranda rights.
5. Contest the manner in which roadside tests were given
6. Contest the use of a Portable Breath Tester.
7. Contest the constitutionality of any search and seizure.

© 2001 BLS

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