Evaluating Criminal History and State Witnesses
When building your defense, your Sacramento drunk driving lawyer will assess every element of your case, including your criminal history, as well as the witnesses brought forth by the state.
Any prior convictions, especially related to driving, will be carefully considered by your Sacramento DUI attorney. This is an important element of the state’s case against you. Your Sacramento DUI lawyer will determine whether or not those convictions were valid. Depending on the specifics of the situation, your Sacramento DUI lawyer might be able to stop the state from using a past conviction against you. Some aspects of prior convictions that might determine whether they can or cannot be used in the prosecution of your DUI charge include whether or not:
- It was a juvenile DUI.
- You had counsel.
- The conviction occurred a long time ago.
- The conviction was the result of a plea.
Just as it is important for your Sacramento DUI lawyer to know of any possible witnesses for your defense, he or she must also find out if the state has any witnesses who can testify supporting what the officer claims. Your Sacramento drunk driving attorney can fine out the names and contact information for those witnesses through discovery, as a list can be found on police reports. A qualified Sacramento DUI lawyer will contact and interview all witnesses as soon as possible.
A DUI is a serious charge with consequences that can have a profound effect on your life. If you have been charged with drunk driving, call Param S. Pabla at (916) 285-7900 for an initial consultation.