Broward DUI Lawyer Blog

The Washington Post recently reported that females arrested for drinking and driving is up 36 percent during the last decade.

Studies have shown that drunken driving is down from the last several decades, yet police find statistics that show DUI in Fort Lauderdale is a major issue, giving them further fuel to continue holding DUI checkpoints and other operations throughout the year.

Our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyers believe that DUI is one of the most-charged crimes in the nation. But there are many instances where breath test machines don't work, overzealous rookie police officers who make DUI arrests without enough proof, and other procedural errors that lead to dropped charges.

And while an arrest is not a conviction, sometimes the damage is done simply becasue of the arrest itself. Having a jail mug shot posted online, in newspaper website photo galleries, and friends and neighbors knowing you have been arrested can lead to job loss, family issues and a big hit in reputation.

The only way to repair this damage is by fighting the charge. The state must have proof beyond all reasonable doubt to secure a conviction, though police officers only must have what's called probable cause. That's essentially a reasonable suspicion that the suspect is guilty.

In DUI cases, that can mean the person was swerving and after a traffic stop "appeared intoxicated." In most cases, the officer will take further steps to prove the crime, including asking the driver to take field sobriety tests or blow into a breath machine. Those both have defenses, too.

Many breath test machines aren't properly manufactured or calibrated, which can lead to poor results. And sometimes, physical conditions, the weather and other circumstances can cause a person to fail a field sobriety test despite an officer's observations.

But according to The Washington Post, research has shown that women are drinking and driving in increased numbers in recent years. The report is based on a study by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation.

The story goes on to talk about a supposed increase in moms drinking while caring for their children. The study was put together after a 2009 crash in New York that made national headlines that involved a mother who was high and drunk. She crossed a highway and struck a car, killing her, her daughter, three nieces and three men in the other vehicle.

The Post article surmises that moms should be more cautious about taking the kids over to a friend's house and having a few glasses of wine. The study found that female drivers who drink are more educated and older than their male counterparts.

Whatever the statistics or studies say, keep in mind that DUI in Fort Lauderdale is a serious crime and should be treated that way by the driver. Fight for your rights.