Why You Should NEVER
Plead “Guilty” to DUI

(Even if You Think You’re Guilty)

Even if you think you’re guilty of DUI...

Do NOT plead guilty to DUI.

Why not?

Because DUI cases aren't just won or lost based on what YOU did...

They can be won because of what the POLICE OFFICER did.... (Or didn't do!)

Say This Aloud: “YES, DUI Cases CAN Be Won!”

Seriously, take a second and say it aloud. Don’t just read it in your mind and don’t just glance over it thinking, “Yeah, sure.” Stand up, say it loudly, and say it with conviction:

“Yes, DUI cases CAN be won!”

One of the most important steps of winning a DUI case is accepting this simple fact… That DUI cases can be won. Many people don’t believe that, but they’re wrong. In fact, many happy clients originally told me that they were thinking about pleading guilty because they thought they were guilty. But I always gave them the same advice…

“Even If You Think You’re Guilty, Don’t Plead Guilty to DUI.”

Why? Because as I said earlier, DUI cases aren’t just won or lost based on what you did...

DUI cases can be won because of what the police officer did… 

(Or more importantly, DIDN’T do!)

For example, here are some different ways that DUI cases have been be won:

  • If the police officer didn’t read you your rights (“You have the right to remain silent...”) then anything you said to the police may have been unlawfully obtained and shouldn’t be used against you (even if you told him, “I’m too drunk to drive!”)…
  • If the police officer gave you bad advice when you asked “What happens if I blow or if I don’t blow?” then all of the evidence about the breath test or refusal may have been unlawfully obtained, and it might get kicked out of evidence (even if your breath test level was 2x or 3x the legal limit, or even if you refused to take the test!)…
  • If the police officer improperly asked you to take the sobriety tests, then that evidence may have been unlawfully obtained. If it can get kicked out of evidence, they may not be able to prosecute you for DUI...
  • If the breath test machine wasn’t properly maintained, or if the person giving you the test wasn’t properly permitted, then the breath test evidence may have been unlawfully obtained, and they may not be allowed to use the breath test against you…
  • If the police officer improperly stopped your car, then ALL of the evidence in your case may have been unlawfully obtained, and they may be forced to drop your case!

These are just a few of the hundreds of different ways that a DUI case can be successfully attacked.

Say it: “Yes, DUI cases CAN be won!”

DUI cases can be won for obvious reasons (like unlawful stops or improper breath tests)…

DUI cases can be won for not-so-obvious reasons (like improperly worded requests for field sobriety exercises or mis-advice about the consequences of the breath test)…

DUI cases can be won for unusual reasons (like the Invisalign and GERD defenses)…

DUI cases can be won because of strong pre-trial preparation and cross-examination during motion hearings and trial….

But DUI cases can only be won if your lawyer knows what to look for AND knows what to do with it once they find the evidence

That’s why you must hire an attorney who focuses on DUI cases.

DUI's are different.

There are technicalities on DUI cases that don't pop up in other cases:

  • If your attorney doesn't know what an "RFI" means, then a breath test that should get kicked out of evidence might be used against you, even though it shouldn't be...
  • If your attorney doesn't possess all of the NHTSA training manuals for DUI officers (and know how to use them in cross-examination) then the police and the prosecutors may use the FST's to convict you of DUI, even though the FST's were improperly designed and improperly administered...
  • If your attorney doesn't have all of the FDLE ATP profiles for the law enforcement officers involved in your case, then an improperly trained or improperly permitted witness may testify against you, even though they shouldn’t.

NEXT STEP: Schedule an Appointment to Discuss Your Case

If you’ve been arrested for DUI, no matter how bad the case looks, do NOT plead guilty without talking to a lawyer specializing in DUI defense. It may be possible to get your charges reduced (maybe even dismissed), but you’ll never know unless you talk to a DUI expert.

DUI cases are serious, with penalties harsher penalties than many felony cases. Additionally, the “hidden cost” of DUI insurance can easily easily cost you $30,000, $40,000, even $50,000! (Good news: You can avoid almost all of that if your DUI lawyer gets the DUI dropped or reduced!)

Many of the issues in DUI cases are extremely time sensitive, so you must act quickly.

If you want your best chance of avoiding a DUI, call an experienced Tampa DUI attorney today.

Tampa DUI Attorney Elliott Wilcox has handled thousands of DUI cases. A member of the National College for DUI Defense, a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and a life member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Elliott's practice is dedicated exclusively to helping drivers accused of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). To talk with Elliott about your available options to continue driving and avoiding a DUI, schedule a phone appointment or call (813) 940-4300 today!

The Wilcox Law Firm
620 East Twiggs Street, Suite 304
Tampa, Florida 33602

Call today to schedule your DUI Defense Strategy Session
You will be okay, and you will get through this... We promise!

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