Sterling DUI Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Helping People Charged With Driving Under the Influence in Sterling, Virginia

A DUI charge can have serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, increased insurance premiums, and possible jail time. Because of the many ways you may be affected by a DUI arrest, it is crucial to work with a knowledgeable attorney who can challenge the evidence against you and advocate for a fair outcome to your case. At Whitlock Law, LLC, we can provide you with dedicated legal representation, helping you protect your rights and working to avoid a conviction or minimize the penalties that may affect you.

Understanding DUI Traffic Stops

A DUI charge typically occurs after a police officer pulls a driver over. An officer may stop a vehicle if they have reasonable suspicion of impaired driving or observe traffic violations such as:

Swerving or drifting between lanes.
Speeding or driving significantly below the speed limit.
Running a red light or failing to signal.

During the traffic stop, the officer will look for signs of impairment, such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or alcohol in the driver's breath. Based on their observations, they may ask the driver to exit their vehicle and perform certain field sobriety tests, or they may request that the driver provide a breath sample for a roadside breathalyzer test.

Field sobriety tests are designed to assess coordination, balance, and the ability to follow instructions. The officer will ask the driver to perform certain activities, including maintaining balance while standing on one foot, walking along a straight line, or tracking an object with their eyes. When performing these tests, the officer will look for indicators of intoxication. However, field sobriety tests are subjective and prone to error. Factors such as uneven pavement, medical conditions, or nervousness can affect performance and lead to inaccurate assessments.

A roadside breath test can provide an estimate of a driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to determine if they exceed the legal limit of 0.08%. However, these devices can be unreliable due to improper calibration, administration errors, or physiological factors that affect BAC levels.

Drivers are allowed to refuse to take roadside sobriety tests. These tests are not mandatory, and their sole purpose is to help an officer determine whether they have enough information to perform an arrest for DUI. If a driver declines to take a test, they could still be arrested, but there will be less evidence to use against them during a DUI case. After being arrested, a driver will be brought to a police station, and more accurate sobriety tests including breathalyzer or blood tests may be performed. These tests are mandatory, and refusal will result in an automatic driver's license suspension.

Defense Options in DUI Cases

Every DUI case is unique, and the best defense strategies to use will depend on the circumstances of the arrest. Whitlock Law, LLC works with clients to determine what approach to take, which may include:

Challenging the Traffic Stop: A police officer must have reasonable suspicion to initiate a traffic stop. If the stop was conducted without legal justification, any evidence collected during the stop may be inadmissible in court.
Disputing Field Sobriety Test Results: Field sobriety tests are inherently subjective. Our lawyers can argue that poor performance was due to external factors rather than alcohol or drug use.
Questioning Breathalyzer or Blood Test Accuracy: It may be possible to challenge test results if a breathalyzer device was not properly maintained or calibrated, if the proper testing procedures were not followed, if blood samples were not handled correctly, or for other reasons. Our attorneys can review maintenance logs, operator procedures, and laboratory records to identify potential errors.
Investigating Procedural Violations: Virginia law requires police officers to follow strict procedures during DUI traffic stops and arrests. Our lawyers can review your case to determine whether your rights were violated. We can address issues such as unlawful searches or a failure to read Miranda rights.
Negotiating Reduced Charges or Alternative Sentencing: In some cases, we may work to negotiate reduced charges, such as a charge of reckless driving instead of DUI. We can also explore alternative sentencing options like alcohol education programs that may help minimize the penalties in a DUI case.

Contact Our Sterling, VA DUI Defense Lawyers

A DUI arrest can cause difficulties in your life, especially if the potential loss of your license may affect your career or your family responsibilities. Fortunately, you do not have to face this difficult situation alone. Whitlock Law, LLC is here to provide experienced legal representation throughout your case. We will fight to protect your rights and help you take the correct steps to achieve the best possible outcome. Contact us today at 301-565-1655 and arrange a free consultation.

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Silver Spring Bowie Frederick Chesapeake Manassas Glen Allen Leesburg

Silver Spring Office

8701 Georgia Ave. Suite 610
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Call 301-565-1655

Bowie Office

16701 Melford Blvd., Suite 400
Bowie, MD 20715

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Frederick Office

5100 Buckeystown Pike # 250
Frederick, MD 21704

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Chesapeake Office

1545 Crossways Blvd., Suite 250
Chesapeake, VA 23320

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Manassas Office

10432 Balls Ford Rd, Suite 300
Manassas, VA 20109

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Glen Allen Office

4870 Sadler Road, Suite 300
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Call 301-565-1655

Leesburg Office

113 E.Market St, ste 111
Leesburg, VA 20176

Call 703-576-5005

We serve clients throughout Maryland and Virginia, including Rockville, Potomac, Olney, Aspen Hills, Damascus, Hagerstown, Middletown, Bethesda, Germantown, Kensington, Gaithersburg, Chevy Chase, Frederick, Urbana, Clarksburg, Greenbelt, Upper Marlboro, College Park, Beltsville, Largo, Laurel, Columbia, Ellicott City, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Towson, Reisterstown, Essex, Parkville, Randallstown, Linthicum Heights, Baltimore, Annapolis, Crofton, Severna Park, Glen Burnie, Westminster, Sykesville, Arlington, Chesapeake, Newport News, McLean, Herndon, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Reston, Richmond, Suffolk, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Centreville, Charlottesville, Annandale, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Vienna, Front Royal, Falls Church, Purcellville, Hampton, Portsmouth, Woodbridge, Gainesville, Silver Spring, Langley Park, Riverdale Park, Wheaton, Glenmont, Highlandtown, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, Hyattsville, Fairfax, Manassas, Alexandria, Greektown, Bowie, and Norfolk.

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