Being arrested for a DUI offense can be a traumatic and devastating experience. Often times, people who are arrested for DUIs are every day citizens without a prior criminal history. As a result, numerous worries and questions might be circulating through the arrestee's mind.

The first thing that a person should do when they are arrested for DUI is to contact a DUI attorney in San Mateo. A DUI attorney in San Mateo has significant experience and expertise handling DUI cases. DUI offenses encompass a narrow area of criminal law that consists of highly technical scientific theories and concepts. There are also specific defenses that DUI lawyers mount only in DUI cases. In addition, to understand what defenses to lodge and the procedural tactics to use, attorneys handling DUI cases need an in-depth understanding of police and prosecutorial practices.

Because DUI cases are complex and involve scientific data, you need a San Mateo DUI attorney to represent you at every phase of your DUI case. A DUI attorney in San Mateo can help you in several important ways. The DUI lawyer will explain the charges against you and the potential penalties you are facing, meet with experts, collect material evidence, negotiate with the prosecution, and find the weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Overall, the DUI attorney is your advocate and will work vigorously to get the charges against you dropped or reduced.

Field Sobriety Tests or FSTs

There are a handful of FSTs that officers may ask you to perform, such as reciting the alphabet, walking heel to toe, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test. Not all FSTs are found to be reliable, and certain officers may not be adequately trained or experienced in conducting FSTs. For instance, the HGN test involves the officer looking into the suspect's eyes and having the suspect track the officer's pen or finger. Depending on the angle at which the eye oscillates is how the officer can determine whether the suspect is under the influence of alcohol. Officers, however, need sufficient training and experience to detect such a subtlety as the angle of onset of nystagmus or oscillation.

To determine the strengths and weaknesses in your DUI case, you should consult a DUI attorney. DUI attorneys in San Mateo have successfully helped thousands of people in their DUI matters.

Chemical Tests

It is important to keep in mind that you are required to provide a blood, breath, or urine test if the officer asks you. The law says that by having the privilege to drive in California, people give their implied consent to provide a chemical test when they are arrested for DUI. The key here to remember is that you must already be under arrest for DUI to be required to provide a chemical test; the case is different while you are still a suspect. If you refuse to provide the chemical test after you are under arrest, you will likely face harsher penalties, such as jail time and a longer period of license suspension.

If you are arrested for DUI, you should see a DUI attorney. Our DUI attorneys in San Mateo are available to help you or your loved one through their difficult circumstances. For more information, or if you need assistance, contact us today.