Whenever a potential client begins the consultation appointment by asking if he can represent himself, Brandi Nave takes a step back and enters teaching mode. She has seen too many people receive extremely stiff penalties from the courts because they wanted to save some money in attorney’s fees. While the law will allow a driver to present a self-represented case, the wise driver will embrace the services of an experienced DUI attorney, like Brandi Nave. Traffic laws in Washington, D.C. and Maryland change constantly, and experienced attorneys know the traps that exist. Negotiations with the prosecuting attorney are possible only if the defense attorney constructs a valid case and asks for a plea bargain or other approach to reduce the possible penalties.
Legal strategies can be employed to mitigate the penalties handed down by the court, which reduces the life-long impact on the client. Brandi Nave can help any potential client to understand that legal fees will dim in comparison to the costly penalties that the court can impose. When responsible behaviors are demonstrated in other areas of life, Brandi Nave can work within the system to have the penalties reduced. Once the DUI citation is received, the smart driver will contact an experienced DUI attorney and trust her to assemble a solid defense case.
In recent years, blood alcohol testing methods have come under scrutiny. Every DUI penalty is tied directly to the blood alcohol concentration found by the test. Breathalyzers have been retired in Washington, D.C. because the machine must be calibrated prior to the test. Invalid test results have resulted in unfair sentences for too many drivers. Urinalysis is the favored testing method to determine the blood alcohol concentration for drivers. Even a urinalysis test can be rendered invalid if the proper procedures are not followed.
Changes in the law require new approaches for experienced DUI attorneys like Brandi Nave. Part of the case preparation must be to validate the procedures used to conduct the urinalysis. A client’s future depends on accurate testing since every penalty is progressively more severe. Inaccurate test results can be grounds for dismissal of the case if the defending attorney can prove that the sample was contaminated. If the client has previous DUI citations or convictions, the penalties imposed by the court can be life-changing, for example revocation of the driver’s license. This type of penalty affects the client’s ability to work.