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Yes. A DUI arrest or test result does not by itself decide the criminal case. A defense requires a careful review of the stop, arrest, testing, witness accounts, and legal requirements. No strategy guarantees dismissal, and a defense that matters in one case may not apply in another.
An attorney can compare the officer’s stated basis with available video, dispatch records, witness accounts, and applicable law. A valid traffic violation can support a stop even when the officer also hopes to investigate another offense. Calling a stop “pretextual” does not automatically make it unlawful.
Questions may concern whether the stated violation occurred, the information available to the officer, the length and scope of the detention, or how a checkpoint operated. Any suppression request depends on the law and facts, including the connection between a violation and the evidence obtained.
Review the instructions, testing conditions, recordings, and observations. Lighting, surface conditions, footwear, injuries, and relevant medical conditions may help explain performance. Preserve those details for counsel; they are not automatic proof that a test was invalid.
Breath-test review may include instrument records, maintenance, operator qualifications, the testing sequence, and relevant observations. Blood-test review may involve collection, storage, chain of custody, laboratory procedures, and whether independent analysis is appropriate.
A suspected testing problem must be supported by records and, when appropriate, expert analysis. A minor paperwork issue does not necessarily establish an inaccurate result. Read more about challenging DUI blood-test evidence.
The timing of driving, drinking, observations, and sample collection can matter. An attorney and qualified expert may examine what the results can reliably say about the time of driving. A BAC-based charge and an impairment-based charge involve different elements; focusing on a single number may miss another allegation.
After reviewing discovery, counsel can discuss motions, further investigation, potential negotiated terms, and trial. A wet-reckless resolution is one possible outcome in some cases, not an entitlement or a clean slate. Evaluate all consequences before accepting an offer.
The criminal case and DMV administrative action are separate. Review the suspension notice promptly and preserve the opportunity to request an APS hearing. A reduced criminal charge does not automatically remove an administrative suspension.
Keep your paperwork and original recordings, make a private timeline for counsel, and identify witnesses. Do not alter evidence or post case details online. Akop Jack Ter-Saakyan is a California attorney admitted in 2009. Request a consultation to discuss the evidence and options in your case.
Updated October 13, 2026. General information, not advice for a particular case. Laws, deadlines, and eligibility depend on the circumstances; discuss your case with a licensed attorney.
Every case is different. Call Jack Ter-Saakyan for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your specific situation.
