This is the time of year when you get to meet a lot of new people and enjoy spending time with friends. There are tons of tourists who head to the islands during the mainland’s summer vacation, and you enjoy every moment of it.
Unfortunately, at the last barbecue you went to, you did have a drink. When you were stopped while driving home, an officer went as far as to claim that you were impaired. You didn’t feel drunk, and you hadn’t had anything to drink in the hour before you left. On top of that, you didn’t have nearly enough to be intoxicated.
What can you do if you’re accused of a DUI?
First, understand that there are many reasons why you might take a Breathalyzer test or complete field sobriety tests and fail them. The truth is that these tests are not infallible, and there are other reasons why they may come back with false positive results.
For example, if you get dehydrated, you could have many of the same signs of impairment, such as dizziness or imbalance. Slurred speech or confusion are also possible. Similarly, someone with a neurological condition may not have good balance or be able to complete a field sobriety test.
Being accused of a DUI is serious
If you are accused of a DUI, you may be able to get a temporary 30-day license until you have an administrative hearing with the Administrative Drivers License Revocation Office. That hearing is important, because if you can’t show that you need your vehicle for work or defend yourself successfully, then you could lose your license.
It’s important to consider ways to defend yourself, like showing the officer has no reason to stop you or that the officer had no reasonable grounds to test you for a DUI. These and other defenses may help you avoid serious repercussions for drunk driving.
Whether you live on Oahu or Honolulu, it’s important that you understand your legal rights. A charge for driving under the influence could negatively impact your life, but you have options to defend yourself.