An Indian River County woman is facing felony DUI charges after she allegedly drove a vehicle drunk and caused an accident. The accident cost the woman her hand. Doctors amputated the hand after she sustained serious cuts to her hand in the crash. The woman faces charges of DUI causing bodily injury and DUI causing property damage. She has the right to counsel from a Indian River DUI arrest lawyer.
The woman allegedly had drinks early in the day before getting behind the wheel. She tried to pass another car on a two-lane road. Officials say the collision was nearly a head-on crash. The woman flew from the vehicle cutting her her hand. Officials say tests reveal that she had a blood alcohol level of .123 shortly after the crash. The woman is currently released on a $10,000 bond.
DUI causing bodily injury is a violation of Florida law 316.193(3). The law says that the driver must have physical control of the vehicle or drive the vehicle. They must be under the influence to the point that their ability to drive in a normal manner is impaired, or they must have a bodily alcohol content of .08 or higher. They must cause or contribute to serious bodily injury to themselves or another in the crash.
The state doesn’t have to show that the drunk driver is the only cause of the crash. Instead, the state needs to show only that the person’s driving leads to a crash that produces bodily injury. An accused party has the right to representation by an Indian River County criminal lawyer.
A DUI causing bodily injury charge is a felony in Florida. The courts take all DUI charges seriously. When a DUI charge results in an accident with bodily injuries, the charge may result in significant jail time, fines and loss of a license.
Even though DUI arrests happen every day in Vero Beach, a DUI investigation is always complex. In order to conduct a proper DUI investigation, law enforcement officers must be trained to use chemical testing instruments, and they must know how to detect signs of alcohol or drug use. Law enforcement officers have protocols and procedures to follow when the investigate a DUI case. If they don’t follow the rules correctly, the outcome of the investigation may be invalid and inadmissible in court.
Indian River DUI Arrest Lawyer
If you’re facing a DUI charge, responding aggressively to the charges with the help of a Indian River criminal defense lawyer can be critical to protecting your rights. Even though jail time, fines and driver’s license suspension are all potential penalties, there are defenses that may apply to your case. If you or someone you know have been in a similar legal situation contact The Law Office of Jeffrey H. Garland, P.A. at 772.489.2200.