The DUII Court Process

The DUI Court Process

What is the court process for people with a DUI charge in Portland, Oregon?

It all begins with the DUI arrest. If law enforcement suspects you of driving under the influence of drugs (even prescription medications) or alcohol; due to speeding, swerving, erratic or reckless driving you will be pulled over. Once stopped, you will be questioned and probably asked to take field sobriety tests. If the police officer believes you failed the field sobriety tests or is unsure of whether or not you may be impaired, you will probably be arrested on suspicion of DUI and taken to the police station or county jail.

At the jail, you will be asked to take a breathalyzer test. If you register at .08% or above on the BAC test, you will be charged with DUI. Frequently, people are charged with DUI even when their BAC is below 0.08%. In addition, law enforcement will confiscate you driver license upon failure or refusal of a breath test. An expert DUI defense attorney is vital to protect yourself in this messy situation, even if your BAC was below 0.08%.

If the police suspect you are impaired by drugs, they will have you evaluated by a DRE or drug recognition expert. If the DRE determines that in his or her opinion you are under the influence of drugs or controlled substance medications, you will be charged with driving while under the influence of intoxicants and cited to appear in court.

Drunk driving charges are deemed to be very serious by the courts. Many people are surprised, in court, to learn just how serious judges consider driving under the influence of intoxicants to be. Such people typically appear in court without an attorney and learn the hard way from the judge.

Herron Law wants you to know that each court has its own supplemental local rules and procedures. Therefore, you want a lawyer who is familiar with being in your court. We proudly represent people on DUI charges in the entire Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. We are familiar with the DUI proceedings in Clackamas County Circuit Court, Washington County Circuit Court, Multnomah County Circuit Court, Marion County Circuit Court, Yamhill County Circuit Court, Polk County Circuit Court and many circuit other courts.

Portland DUI defense attorney Bart Herron has been in court nearly every business day for the past sixteen years. He has gotten a lot of on the job courtroom experience in this way and defends DUI charges in Beaverton Municipal Court, Lake Oswego Municipal Court, West Linn Municipal Court, City of Salem Municipal Court and others courts. If you have been charged with a DUI, we are the attorneys you should call for expert legal advice.