DUI investigations in Los Angeles normally begin with a police officer stopping a driver for a violation of the California Vehicle Code; or during the investigation of a traffic collision. Either way, the collection of evidence begins immediately upon a police officer focusing upon you, the defendant. Typically, a DUI case may include the following types of evidence:
- Observed driving patterns consistent with impairment.
- Observed physical symptoms of Intoxication.
- Audio/Video footage of the traffic stop and investigation.
- A driver's own admission of drinking alcohol, using drugs/medications, or feeling impaired.
- Performance of a Field Sobriety Test.
- Results of a Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) test.
- Evidentiary breath evidence.
- Evidentiary blood evidence.
- Police reports including the statements of officers, passengers or witnesses.
- Dispatch logs, tapes, and records.
As part of the "Discovery" process, your Los Angeles DUI attorney should be working diligently to collect, evaluate, and attack each piece of evidence brought against you. Additionally, it is critical that your law firm has the knowledge and resources necessary to discover, collect, and present any additional evidence that may not be part of the prosecutor's case. Typical examples of defense evidence may include:
- Mechanical problems with your automobile to explain bad driving.
- Medical or physical problems you may have affecting your ability to perform.
- Field Sobriety Tests or that may affect the accuracy of blood/breath tests.
- Attacking the officer's honesty of credibility.
- Statements of independent witnesses.
- Physical evidence proving that you were not driving, (i.e. blood stains, broken glass, etc).
- Video footage from extraneous sources other than the patrol car.
- Calibration, maintenance and performance logs of any breath testing devices used.
- Calibration, maintenance and performance logs of the gas chromatogram used in testing blood.
- Reanalysis of your blood sample at an independent laboratory.
- Evidence of the chain of custody.
- Certification which permits the officer to administer a breath test.
- Certification of the phlebotomist to draw blood.
- Certification of the analyst who tests the blood.
Locating and collecting defense evidence is not enough. Once the affirmative evidence is collected, then your DUI attorney in Los Angeles must have the experience and expertise necessary to prepare and present the evidence in a manner acceptable in Los Angeles courts and at the California DMV hearing.
Our DUI defense team possesses the knowledge and experience to attack evidence, introduce evidence, and to ensure your case is strengthened by independent investigation.