Fighting For Justice: The Power of Evidence in a DUI Case

Evidence plays a big part in defending against DUI charges. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you may wonder how evidence will impact your case. Our DUI lawyer in Douglas, GA, can help you evaluate this evidence and explain how it will be used in court. With a focus on DUI defense in Douglas, Georgia, we are committed to building a strong strategy tailored to your case.

This article will explore how evidence can affect the outcome of a DUI case and what you need to know to protect your rights. Whether it’s test results or video footage, every piece of evidence can make a difference in your defense.

Quick Summary:

  • A DUI, or driving under the influence, occurs when someone operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In Georgia, drivers can face DUI charges if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, with stricter limits for younger and commercial drivers. The law also covers impairment caused by illegal drugs, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs that hinder safe driving.
  • Evidence plays a key role in DUI defense in Douglas, Georgia, as it can both support and challenge the charges against you. Common types of evidence include breathalyzer results, which must be accurate and properly calibrated, and field sobriety tests, which are influenced by conditions and medical factors. Blood test findings are often reliable but can be questioned if collection and storage procedures are flawed. Witness statements and video recordings, such as body cam footage, can provide critical details about your behavior and the officer’s actions during the stop. Carefully examining these pieces of evidence can uncover errors or inconsistencies that may strengthen your defense.
  • Challenging evidence in Georgia DUI cases involves identifying errors in how it was collected, handled, or maintained. Procedural errors, such as improper stops or failure to explain your rights, may lead to evidence being excluded. Calibration and maintenance records of breathalyzers can be questioned if the equipment wasn’t regularly checked, casting doubt on BAC results. Breaks in the chain of custody, where evidence wasn’t properly stored or tracked, can further weaken the case against you. Using these DUI evidence strategies in Georgia can help you build a stronger legal defense.

What is a DUI?

A DUI, or driving under the influence, happens when someone drives a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In Georgia, the law defines DUI as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher for most drivers (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391). For drivers under 21, the limit is stricter at 0.02%, and for commercial drivers, it’s 0.04%. 

You can also be charged with a DUI if you’re driving while impaired by drugs, even if you haven’t been drinking alcohol. The law applies to alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications that affect your ability to drive safely.

How Evidence Impacts DUI Defense Cases

Evidence plays a big part in building a DUI defense in Douglas, Georgia. It includes everything from test results to police reports that prosecutors use to try and prove guilt. At the same time, you can use evidence to challenge those claims and show weaknesses in the case against you. By closely examining the evidence, you might reveal errors or violations that could help dismiss or reduce the charges. Below are the types of evidence and how they are used in DUI defense.

Breath Alcohol Test Results

Breath Alcohol Test Results or Breathalyzer tests are commonly used by law enforcement to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to see if it is over the legal limit. These devices measure the amount of alcohol in your breath, which is directly related to the amount of alcohol in your blood. However, it’s important to note that breathalyzer tests can be inaccurate if not properly calibrated or administered.

Georgia law requires the device to be properly maintained and used correctly for the results to count. If the machine malfunctions or is not calibrated, the results can be challenged in court. A high BAC reading can strengthen the case against you, but errors in the test process could help your defense. It’s important to question whether the test followed proper guidelines.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)

Field sobriety tests are a series of physical and mental tests administered by law enforcement to assess your impairment. These tests may include the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test, the walk-and-turn test, and the one-leg stand test. Georgia courts look at whether these tests were given according to standard procedures. Conditions like uneven ground or medical issues can affect your performance. Results from these tests can be questioned in your defense.

Blood Test Findings

Blood tests can show the amount of alcohol or drugs in your system at the time of arrest. These tests are often more accurate than breathalyzer tests but must be handled carefully to avoid contamination or mix-ups. Georgia law requires strict procedures for collecting and storing blood samples. Problems with how the test was done can make the results unreliable. You have the right to ask if the sample was properly handled.

Witness Statements

Witnesses, such as passengers or other drivers, may give statements about your behavior. Their testimony can either support the charges or help your defense. For example, a passenger might confirm that you weren’t impaired or explain why your driving seemed unusual. The credibility of witnesses is often a key factor in court. Statements that don’t match the facts can be challenged during your defense.

Video Recordings

Police body cameras or dash cams often record DUI stops and arrests. These recordings can show how the officer conducted the stop and whether they followed proper procedures. Video evidence can also capture your behavior and physical condition, which can help or hurt your case. If the video shows that you followed instructions or appeared sober, it may work in your favor. Video recordings provide a clear record that can be reviewed in court.

How Can DUI Evidence Be Challenged?

There are different ways to challenge evidence in DUI cases in Georgia. Learning about these strategies can help you build a better defense. Many DUI defenses focus on finding mistakes in how the evidence was gathered or managed. Here are some important points to keep in mind when challenging DUI evidence.

Reliability of Breathalyzer Results

Breathalyzer results often play a big role in DUI cases, but these machines must be properly maintained to give accurate results. Georgia law requires regular calibration and testing of breathalyzers. You can request maintenance and calibration records to see if the machine was working correctly at the time of your test. If the machine was not properly maintained, you can argue that the results are unreliable and should not be used in court.

Mistakes Made During the Stop or Arrest

Police officers must follow legal procedures during a DUI stop and arrest. They need a valid reason, such as a traffic violation or signs of impaired driving, to pull you over. If the officer didn’t have probable cause or violated your rights, like failing to read your Miranda rights, you can argue that the evidence gathered after the stop is invalid.

Breaks in the Chain of Custody

The chain of custody tracks who collected, stored, and handled the evidence from the time it was taken until it was used in court. Any breaks in this chain can raise questions about whether the evidence is trustworthy. For instance, if your blood sample was accessed by unauthorized individuals or wasn’t properly stored, it may be ruled inadmissible. Georgia courts take the chain of custody seriously, and any mishandling can hurt the prosecution’s case.

Errors in Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests, like walking in a straight line or standing on one leg, are often used to determine impairment. However, these tests are subjective and rely on the officer’s observations. Factors like uneven pavement, bad weather, or a medical condition can affect your performance. If the officer did not give proper instructions or recorded your results incorrectly, you can challenge the reliability of the test.

How Our DUI Lawyer in Douglas, GA, Can Help

Being charged with a DUI can feel like everything is at stake—your license, your job, and your future. Our DUI lawyer in Douglas, GA, can make all the difference by reviewing the evidence, challenging questionable procedures, and protecting your rights. From analyzing breathalyzer results to questioning the legality of the traffic stop, we work to find weaknesses in the case against you. 

At George McCranie Law Firm, PC, we focus on building a defense that fits your situation, using strategies allowed under Georgia DUI legal defense laws. We are here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the best outcome possible. Our goal is to give you the best chance at moving forward without a DUI conviction affecting your future.

Don’t let a DUI charge ruin your life. Contact us now to schedule an initial consultation to discuss how we can challenge the charges against you. Let us review your case and find opportunities for your defense.