Know How to Address Police Officer Testimony click for a free consultation

Posted on December 9, 2020 in DUI defense

Most drunk driving cases are built on evidence gathered by police officers. While these men and women receive extensive training to perform their job duties, the truth of the matter is that they’re human. This means that they’re imperfect and they make mistakes. Sometimes they intentionally act in a way that gets them the results they want. Either way, a police officer’s testimony can threaten you with conviction, which is why you need to figure out your best options when it comes to addressing them as witnesses.

How To Challenge Law Enforcement Testimony

Law enforcement officers can be treated like any other witness on the stand. As such, you should consider each of the options discussed below when developing your DUI defense strategy.

• Draw attention to inconsistencies: Whether you have other witnesses lined up or a deposition, you might be able to use other evidence to either contradict an officer’s account of events or point out their inconsistent accounts. This can significantly minimize the weight given to their testimony.
• Improper administration of tests: Field sobriety and breathalyzer test results can be damaging to your case, but only if they were properly administered. If you can identify how an officer strayed from standard practices, then your defense will probably score some points with the judge and jury, especially if the test results are deemed inadmissible.
• Point out biases: Police officers can have extrinsic motivations and internal biases. These can affect the way they handle a case and they might result in infringement on your rights.
• Look for mistakes: An honest mistake can lead to devastating consequences. An officer who initiates what he thought was a legal stop may have illegally stopped you. In these instances, you might be able to attack an officer’s testimony and suppress evidence that was gathered subsequent to the stop.

A DUI conviction can wreak havoc on your life. But by being prepared with a solid defense strategy, you can increase your chances of reaching a favorable outcome either through plea bargaining or litigating. To best protect your interests, though, it might be best to work with an experienced DUI attorney in Scottsdale.