| Expungement of DUI/DWI Convictions |
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| If you have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), you have a criminal record. Contrary to popular belief, the conviction does not go off your criminal record after seven or ten years. The conviction stays on your record for life unless you do something. However, in many cases, a convicted drunk driver can have his or her record expunged. More... |
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| Use of Audio & Visual Evidence in Drunk Driving Cases |
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| Audio and visual evidence is evidence that appeals to our auditory and visual senses. In other words, it is evidence that we can see or hear. Videotapes and photographs are examples of visual evidence. A voice recording is an example of audio evidence. Audio and visual evidence is often used in drunk driving cases. More... |
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| Consequences of No Contest Plea in DUI/DWI cases |
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| Pleading no contest or nolo contendere means you admit no guilt for the crime, but merely signify your consent to being punished as if you were guilty. In the context of a drunk driving DUI (driving while intoxicated) or DWI (driving while under the influence) offense, such a plea is usually discretionary with the judge. More... |
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| Chemical Test Presumptions in Drunk Driving Cases |
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| If you have ever been arrested for drunk driving you were probably given some sort of chemical test to determine your blood alcohol content. The most common chemical tests include a breath test or blood test. Many jurisdictions have statutes that allow prosecutors to give presumptive effect to chemical test readings of blood-alcohol content. In other words, if a person's blood alcohol content is at a certain level, the court will presume automatically that the person was driving under the influence of alcohol. Depending on the jurisdiction, some statutes will use the word "presumption," while others use the term "prima facie evidence." More... |
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| Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Defense to DUI/DWI |
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| Although a defense of not guilty to drunk driving by reason of insanity may seem a bit far-fetched, this defense has worked in some cases. If a defendant asserts a defense of insanity, he is essentially asking the court to declare him legally insane. More... |
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