The Costs You don't think of!
If you are arrested for an OUI, it can cost you thousands of dollars without attorney fees.
You can expect to pay for the following:
- Towing your vehicle = $75
- Fine = $500, or more
- License Suspension Reinstatement Fee = $100 or more
- Court Costs = $250
- Bail = $250
- Victim Witness Fee = $50
- OUI Victim Fee = $50
- Head Injury Fee = $250
- Probation Supervision Fee = $780
- Program Fee = $575
- Insurance Surcharge = $1000
Without an attorney you are looking at almost $4000 in costs! And that does not include lost wages from having to take time off from work, transportation costs, or the cost of counseling.
Drunk Driving is One of the More Difficult Cases for a Prosecutor to Prove
Below is a list of reasons why you should speak to an attorney and fight your OUI charges.
- Even if you took and failed a breath test, it is difficult for a prosecutor to have that evidence admitted. An attorney can file a motion to suppress which may exclude the results from the judge or jury’s consideration.
- “Field Sobriety Tests” are categorically unreliable. Even when done properly according to the National Highway Safety Training Manual, the results are only 68% reliable. These tests only measure one’s balance and coordination. Such tests do not accurately reflect a person’s ability to drive an automobile when given under stressful and intimidating circumstances. Further, most police officers do not perform these tests accurately
- The Government has the burden of proof. They must proof that you were Operating under the influence Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. This is a high hurdle to jump and Keegan and Flanagan will uncompromisingly challenge the State’s case at every step of the procedure.
- Most police officers will admit that what they observed could have been caused by a number of things: lack of coordination, lack of balance, nervousness, or even fatigue.
- A jury will not hear about your prior OUI offenses, nor will they hear if you refused a breath test or field sobriety test.
Below you will find some common challenges to OUI charges.
- Your arrest: under the 4th Amendment you are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures such as the police arresting you without probable cause
- Your questioning: in some circumstances, if you were not read your Miranda rights, any evidence obtained at the time of your arrest may be inadmissible at trial
- Your breathalyzer/blood alcohol tests: these tests are categorically unreliable, in addition, incompetent technicians, faulty machinery, and inaccurate formulas can all skew the results of such tests
- The arresting officer’s testimony: A good attorney pays attention to what an officer says on the stand, he may have botched a field sobriety test or given inaccurate testimony
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