DUI Lawyer in Hazleton

You Need a DUI Lawyer in Hazleton who Knows the Local Court System

If you are charged with a DUI (driving under the influence), you’ll want a strong defense from an experienced DUI lawyer in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. DUI defendants need an attorney who knows the local courts. Furthermore, your DUI lawyer should understand the unique procedures followed in the Luzerne County criminal court.

At Kitay Law Offices, we have successfully represented DUI defendants in Hazleton and Luzerne County for many years. We know what to expect from the local courts and will use our knowledge to aggressively defend you against drunk driving charges. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our Hazleton DUI lawyers.

What to do after a DUI in Hazleton, Pennsylvania

If you know you’re about to be charged for a DUI, you may be asking yourself, “What do I do now?” Importantly, you can take steps to protect yourself and help your DUI lawyer in Hazleton fight for you. Follow these simple guidelines to improve your chances of a criminal defense lawyer lowering or dismissing your charges:

1. Record the details

As time goes on, memories fade and details get murky. Therefore, it is critical to document everything related to your DUI case as soon as you can.

Write down the date, time and location of the stop, what the officer said to you, and anything else that may be relevant. If possible, take pictures or video of the scene. This evidence will prove invaluable in court.

Further, be sure to keep all records related to the DUI charge, such as tickets, court appearances, and receipts for legal fees.

2. Communicate with witnesses who may be able to help you

An important part of your defense may include calling witnesses to testify about your condition. This includes before, during, and after your DUI stop.

The people with you that day can help explain whether you really did consume as much as the prosecution alleges. Importantly, they can also testify regarding your physical and mental condition around the time of the DUI stop.

So, speak with your friends, family members, or anyone else who was with you. Have them get in touch with your DUI lawyer in Hazleton as soon as possible. This could make or break your case.

3. Retain an experienced Luzerne County DUI lawyer

DUI cases are complex and require specialized knowledge and experience. Trying to represent yourself in a DUI case is almost always a bad idea and will likely result in a worse outcome than if you had hired an attorney.

Again, the Hazleton and Luzerne County courts have their own unique processes and procedures that a law firm from another area may not be familiar with. If you hire a criminal defense attorney unfamiliar with the court, the prosecution may take advantage of that. Importantly, this may result in a conviction that you could have avoided.

Your DUI lawyer in Hazleton can challenge the evidence against you

DUI lawyers in Hazleton, PA have many strategies at their disposal to challenge the evidence against you. This includes questioning the stop itself, the validity of the DUI test results, and whether the arresting officer had reasonable suspicion to make the stop.

Your DUI attorney will also look into any possible constitutional violations that may have occurred during your arrest. Charges may be dismissed altogether if any violations are found.

An experienced DUI/DWI attorney in Hazleton should be familiar with several tactics that may help avoid a DUI conviction. Here is a list of other ways in which your Hazleton DUI lawyer can challenge the evidence:

Challenge the breathalyzer readings

Importantly, the breathalyzer is not infallible. There are many ways in which it can produce inaccurate results. DUI lawyers in Hazleton know how to challenge the breathalyzer readings, including questioning the calibration of the device and the qualifications of the person who administered the test.

Question the officer’s observations

Police officers are often trained to look for certain signs that a driver is intoxicated. However, an experienced DUI lawyer may challenge these observations.

For example, an officer may say that you had slurred speech or were unsteady on your feet. However, an attorney may be able to show that you were nervous because you had never been arrested before or that you were simply tired from a long day at work.

Argue that you were not actually driving

In some cases, the prosecution may not be able to prove that you were actually driving the vehicle at the time of your DUI stop. This could be because the arresting officer did not see you driving or because there was no evidence that you were in control of the car. If this is the case, your DUI lawyer may be able to get the charges reduced to a lesser offense or even dismissed altogether.

Hire an expert witness

Sometimes, you need an expert witness in order to properly explain the results of a DUI test or to challenge the arresting officer’s observations. Without an expert, the judge and jury are likely to assume that the evidence against you was collected and explained accurately by the District Attorney’s witnesses.

For example, an accident reconstructionist can show that you were not driving the car at the time of the accident. They may even be able to show that you were not impaired. Also, a toxicologist can explain how the results of a DUI test can be affected by certain medications or health conditions.

Contact a DUI lawyer in Hazleton at Kitay Law Offices to protect your rights

With our office located in the heart of Hazleton, we have represented numerous clients charged with DUIs in our community and the surrounding areas. We are familiar with the local courts and their unique procedures. Plus, we have the experience necessary to challenge the evidence against you.

Contact us today for a free consultation if you have been arrested for a DUI in Hazleton or Luzerne County. Our Hazleton DUI attorneys will review your case and discuss all of your DUI defense options with you.