DUI Lawyer Fort Lauderdale

Exceptional Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys

Before starting his own law firm, Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney Michael D. Leader was one of the oldest and most prestigious South Florida drunk driving (DUI/DWI) defense law firms. Prior to that, he was an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale), where he handled thousands of files involving DUIs, traffic violations and other misdemeanors and serious felonies. Now in his own Fort Lauderdale firm, Leader & Leader, PA, South Florida Criminal Lawyer Michael D. Leader uses his vast experience to defend clients against all DUI charges. He also defends against charges of boating under the influence (BUI).

CALL US ANYTIME FOR A FREE CONSULTATION at 954-523-2020

The state’s approach in DUI/DWI cases

There are two ways that the state tries to prove that you were driving under the influence. It can attempt to prove that you were impaired and should not have been driving. Or it can prove that your blood alcohol or breath alcohol level was .08 percent or higher. The prosecution uses field sobriety tests, blood tests and breath tests to prove its case. Because the state tries to present these methods as infallible, it is critical to have a lawyer who understands how law enforcement builds its case. The penalties are significant if you are convicted of drunk driving. This is an area where many criminal defense lawyers do not have the very specific knowledge and know-how of this highly complicated area of law…sometimes hiring the wrong lawyer may be no better than not hiring a lawyer at all.

Find an attorney who understands the issues raised by “proof” of DUI/DWI

These test mechanisms are not always reliable. Our law firm investigates the application of the breath machine or the conduct of field sobriety tests in an effort to dismantle the State’s case against you. We also make sure that your rights were not violated during a traffic stop. If police officers made mistakes in the procedural or legal aspects of stopping, investigating, arresting or charging you, the DUI case against you may be subject to dismissal. Contact our Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyers at 954-523-2020 to learn more about defending yourself and securing the services of a law firm that will fully promote your interests and fight vigorously for your rights.

A good DUI lawyer will ask you questions

When you come to our firm after a DUI/DWI charge, we try to identify the possible issues quickly so we can start defending you. Some of the questions we inquire about are:

• Did you refuse to give a breath, blood or urine test?
• Were you involved in an auto accident that led to your arrest?
• Do you suffer from any knee, ankle, back, orthopedic or other physical injury?
• Do you have a medical condition such as vertigo, diabetes or something else that can impair you in anyway?
• Was someone watching you continuously for the 20 minutes before you took the breath test?
• Did you take any medication on the day of the arrest?
• Did the police officer read you your rights (Miranda Warnings)?
• Did the police officer require you to do the DUI/roadside exercises?
• Were there headlights or flashing lights while the officer investigated the DUI or had you do the roadside exercises?
• When giving a breath test, where you told to “keep blowing” for a prolonged period of time?
• Were you parked in your car sleeping/resting when the police officer approached you?
• Do you believe the officer mistook exhaustion or nervousness for impairment?
• Were you on private property when you were stopped and/or arrested?
• Were you stopped for “weaving” or “failing to maintain a single lane” without there being any other cars on the roadway near you?
• Were you told that your license would be automatically suspended if you refused a breath, blood or urine test?

Your answers to questions such as these, and many others, will help us determine the best issues to use in your defense.

We also help people get their licenses back

Many people do not know that there are actually two processes involved in a drunk driving case. The first is the criminal charge of driving under the influence, commonly called “drunk driving”. The second is an administrative procedure by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to suspend your license. Our law firm assists clients with both the criminal and the procedural matters. If you have been arrested for DUI, contact us right away. Time is critical.

Call Leader & Leader, PA, at 954-523-2020 .