The biggest difference between the best Seattle lawyers and the rest is their accomplishments in winning motions to expunge or dismiss drunk driving charges. A quality Seattle DUI lawyer knows the importance of correctly filing motions to suppress evidence or even the DUI charge itself. It is this knowledge that separates the best DUI lawyers from the inexperienced ones.
Why would a DUI attorney want to file legal motions? The reason is that motions are one of the key tools in successfully defending a DUI case. If your lawyer wins one of these key motions, the case is usually decided in her favor. Even if your attorney is not granted one of these motions, the information obtained during the motion hearing is often used by experienced trial attorneys.
Unfortunately, most people arrested for DUI hire inexperienced attorneys who do not understand the importance of these motions. They mistakenly believe that there is no reason to file them. However, in most cases, these motions are filed because the arresting officer simply did not put enough information in the police report about whether or not the sobriety and blood tests were done correctly. Motions can be filed for this reason, among many others.
Once the appropriate motions are filed, Seattle attorneys treat hearings with as much importance as they would a jury trial. Inexperienced attorneys view these motion hearings as light and shoot from the hip when questioning the officer. A better Seattle DUI lawyer understands that an officer’s cross examination must be fully prepared in advance. There is usually a great deal of detail to go into when questioning the arresting officer.
Cross-examination of the arresting officer is essential as most officers do not adequately prepare for these motion hearings. In most cases, officers arrive without reviewing their training manuals, and sometimes quickly reviewing their reports. Under these circumstances, your attorney may evaluate the officer during cross-examination. Your lawyer can bring up any inconsistencies when the officer is testifying at trial.
If the arresting officer doesn’t get good results, the prosecutor will sometimes offer a lot on the charges or even dismiss the case altogether. If none of these things happen, an experienced Seattle DUI lawyer has plenty of information to use during trial. If he has been charged with driving under the influence, it is crucial that you retain a DUI lawyer who is very successful in these pre-trial motions.
