Drunk driving arrests occur on Iowa roads far too frequently. Sometimes a driver feels sober enough to drive, but their blood alcohol content is above the legal limit. Regardless of why someone chooses to drink and drive, accident statistics show the decision could lead to fatalities.
DUI statistics
A study produced in 2021 revealed that 78% of Americans feel concerned about the dangers drunk driving poses. The concerns seem well-founding since roughly 10,000 people lose their lives each year in drunk driving crashes. So, the police may be quick to pull over someone suspected of driving under the influence.
Anyone arrested and convicted for drunk driving faces a possible permanent criminal record. The penalties if a conviction is obtained could include fines, jail time and license revocation. Persons with drunk driving convictions might find their livelihoods suffer.
DUI defenses
DUI offenders have rights. A stop and subsequent arrest might be valid if the driver commits a moving violation or operates the vehicle in a way that indicates intoxication, such as weaving. If there’s no reasonable suspicion for the stop, DUI charges could be invalid.
A defendant might challenge DUI charges on other grounds, including noting the police officer made mistakes when calibrating the Breathalyzer or performing the field sobriety test. The case might fall apart if the defendant reveals that alcohol from OTC medication led to a false positive.
Sometimes, the evidence is strong. Persons facing conviction on DUI charges may request leniency in sentencing. The judge might sentence a defendant to less than the maximum penalty allowed.
