DUI Trial: Court, Attorneys, Procedure

A criminal conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can mean harsh criminal penalties, including jail time. To be convicted of a crime, the defendant has to plead guilty or be found guilty in a jury trial.

Many minor misdemeanor offenses are resolved before ever going to trial. Some criminal charges are dismissed or reduced through negotiations between district and criminal defense attorneys. In a plea bargain, the defendant pleads guilty or no contest through a plea deal.

The consequences of a DUI conviction are significant. An experienced DUI lawyer can offer legal advice, negotiate with prosecutors, and represent you should your case go to trial. If you are facing criminal charges, contact a local and experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Pre-Trial and Jury Selection

While the same Constitutional rights and criminal procedure apply to the DUI court process, there are some unique factors to DUI law. A standard drunk driving trial can be complicated and confusing for a first-time defendant. Understanding the DUI trial process can help you know what to expect if your case goes to trial.

Following a DUI arrest, there is an arraignment. In any criminal trial, a defendant has the right to a jury of their peers to decide the case. A prosecutor may also drop criminal charges after the defendant wins pretrial motions to dismiss evidence, leaving the prosecutor without a strong case. However, if the case is unresolved, the case may go to trial before a judge and jury. Most people are only familiar with criminal trials through legal dramas or movies.

Most defendants choose a jury trial instead of a bench trial with a judge. The first step to a jury trial is to select the jurors. The jury selection process may take a few hours to more than a day. Jurors who show up for jury duty are selected from an available pool.

During the “voir dire” process, the lawyers ask jurors several questions to determine who may be the best fit for the case. In DUI cases, voir dire will include questions about the potential juror’s thoughts on alcohol, driving under the influence, and if they have any relatives who have faced a DUI charge.

Opening Statements

After selecting the jury, the defense counsel and the prosecution make the opening statements. The prosecutor has the burden of proof and generally presents their opening statement first. The district attorney will preview the case to describe the charges, summarize the facts and evidence, and explain what the D.A. expects to prove. The defense lawyer presents the defendant’s side of the case next.

Witness Testimony/Cross-Examination

The prosecutor and defendant can introduce evidence into the court record. Evidence in a DUI trial may include the police officer’s arrest report, police camera footage, evidence found in the vehicle, and test results from a breath test, blood test, breathalyzer, blood alcohol test, or field sobriety test from the arresting officer.

The prosecution may start by calling witnesses to the stand to discuss what they know about the case. Witnesses in an impaired driving trial may include the police officer who made the traffic stop or individuals who witnessed the driver drinking before getting into the car to drive away.

Expert witnesses may be called to give their professional opinion of the evidence. After a prosecution witness testifies, the defense attorney can cross-examine the witnesses to point out flaws or inconsistencies in the testimony or create doubt in the jurors’ minds.

After the prosecution presents its case, the defense may call its own witnesses. In some cases, the defendant may take the stand in their own defense. However, the defendant is not required to act as a witness. The defendant may also use expert witnesses to question the reliability of chemical testing procedures or field sobriety tests. The prosecution will have the ability to cross-examine any defense witnesses.

Closing Arguments

A trial concludes by allowing the defense and the prosecution to make a closing statement. These statements generally serve as a way to make a final impression on a jury. Closing statements may also allow an attorney to attempt to answer any questions they believe jurors may be asking themselves.

Jury Instruction

Before the jury leaves to deliberate and decide, the judge will provide the jury instructions to follow. Jury instructions clearly lay out the burden of proof and the elements of the offense. In a criminal case, there is a high burden of proof. The prosecutor must prove all elements of the crime “beyond a reasonable doubt.” If there is any doubt that the defendant did not meet each element of the offense, then the defendant should be found not guilty.

Generally, the jurors must reach a unanimous decision for a defendant to be found guilty. If jurors have any questions about the case or need any clarification during deliberation, they can ask the judge questions, review the court record, or get clarification on the jury instructions.

Jury Deliberation & Verdict

The final part of the DUI trial process is for the jury to reach a unanimous verdict based on the evidence. Jury deliberations can last from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the case. They may also take longer if certain jurors are deadlocked and cannot agree on the outcome.

At the end of deliberations, the jury will find the defendant guilty or not guilty. If the defendant is found not guilty, the defendant will be acquitted and is free to go home. If the defendant is found guilty, they will be convicted, and the judge will continue with the sentencing.

The judge may declare a mistrial if a jury is deadlocked with no hope of coming to an agreement. In some cases, the defendant may have to stand trial all over again, but it is also possible that the case is dropped entirely.

Appeals

Even after the jury gives a verdict or the judge sentences the defendant, the case may not end. The party that lost the case can file an appeal. Filing an appeal may not be the best option in your case if there is a low chance of success. An appeal can be expensive, and there is a high burden of getting the lower court’s decision reversed. There may be limited grounds for an appeal. Talk to your attorney to determine if filing an appeal is the right decision in your case.

Legal Help From An Experienced Drunk Driving Attorney

A DUI trial can be a stressful experience. Strict court rules and legal terms may make you feel unsure of what is going on or how your trial seems. Talking to your criminal defense attorney before the trial and throughout the process is essential. If you have questions about a criminal trial after an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact a drunk driving attorney to discuss your specific legal situation.