Why Do You Need a Forensic Lawyer Scientist for Your West Virginia DUI Case?

If you are facing a DUI charge in West Virginia, the consequences of a conviction could impact your life for years to come. There are many reasons why you need a forensic lawyer scientist for your West Virginia DUI case.

A forensic lawyer scientist can meticulously analyze the evidence against you, uncovering potential flaws in breathalyzer results, blood tests, and other forensic methods. They offer unique skills that allows for a robust defense that goes beyond conventional legal strategies.

What Does a Forensic Lawyer Scientist Do?

The West Virginia University College of Law became an early adopter of integrating forensics classes into its law school curriculum. A growing number of law schools across the country now offer programs that incorporate the principles of forensics.

The field of forensics refers to the application of scientific techniques and methods to investigate crimes and to analyze evidence. Scientific fields that are commonly used include physics, chemistry, biology, and digital analysis, but are not limited to these fields.

These scientific disciplines are used to analyze and examine physical evidence like DNA, fingerprints, blood spatter, and digital information. The ultimate goal of these theories and methods is to uncover who committed crimes by establishing the facts and uncovering the truth.

How Can Forensics Help My DUI Case?

A forensics lawyer combines their formal training and legal knowledge along with scientific knowledge to analyze evidence in a specific criminal case. They use forensic science to defend clients by examining DNA, toxicology reports, blood spatter patterns, and digital forensics. As part of your criminal defense against DUI charges, your criminal defense attorney can examine key pieces of evidence to support your defense.

• Breathalyzer results: Your lawyer can check the accuracy and calibration records of the device as well as the administration procedure of the police department responsible for pulling you over.
• Blood test results: The handling, storage, and analysis of blood samples for alcohol or drugs have to be handled and performed carefully. Any errors made by lab technicians could help your case.
• Field sobriety tests: Your lawyer can review the procedures followed by the arresting officer and the conditions under which tests were conducted.
• Police report: Your attorney can check the consistency and details of the arresting officer’s report.
• Body and dash cam footage: As part of your defense, your forensic science lawyer can examine video evidence to verify the officer’s conduct or misconduct.
• Maintenance Records: Breathalyzer maintenance records can reveal whether the equipment was properly maintained and calibrated.
• Medical Records: Your medical records and any conditions you have might have affected the test results.
• Environmental Factors: Weather, lighting, and road conditions at the time of the arrest may play a role in your criminal defense.
• Toxicology reports: Analysis of any substances found in your system may not provide prosecutors with the evidence they need to move forward with criminal charges.

By identifying inaccuracies, procedural errors, or biases, they can call into question evidence that is submitted by prosecutors and law enforcement for the purpose of better defending their client.

Forensic lawyers can provide a more rigorous defense, cross-examine expert witnesses effectively, and ultimately ensure that justice is served through the accurate interpretation of scientific evidence. If needed, your attorney can hire a scientist who can testify in court on your behalf.

Why Charlestonians Trust Wooton, Davis, Hussell & Johnson, PLLC

At Wooton, Davis, Hussell & Johnson, PLLC, our attorneys are experienced, knowledgeable, and approachable. We build strong professional relationships by understanding our client’s specific needs and goals.

Respected throughout West Virginia, our lawyers are respected litigators with extensive experience in various practice areas. We ensure you fully understand your case, enabling you to make informed decisions.

Whether you need assistance with forensic evidence in your case or handling related litigation, you can rely on our firm for comprehensive and robust legal representation.

FAQs

Q: How Can Forensic Science Help My DUI Case?

A: The field of forensics uses scientific knowledge and methods to examine evidence related to your case. By having an attorney who understands the principles of forensic science, you can benefit from a more thorough and rigorous criminal defense. Your attorney or a forensic scientist they hire can take a closer look at the evidence to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Q: How Are DUI and Forensic Science Related?

A: The field of forensics allows for a more thorough analysis of evidence used in a DUI case. An attorney who understands forensics can examine the breathalyzer used to test you on the day of your arrest. A forensic science lawyer can also examine the lab results of your blood test to see if there are inconsistencies or whether the evidence truly reflects the prosecutor’s assertions.

Q: How Important Is Forensic Evidence in Court?

A: Forensic evidence can be very important in court. Forensic evidence can make the difference between a conviction or exoneration in some cases. Scientific evidence carries a lot of weight in court.

When that evidence supports your evidence, prosecutors will have a very difficult time calling exonerating evidence into question. By incorporating scientific methods and theories, your lawyer can dig deeper than a typical criminal law attorney when defending you against a DUI charge.

Q: What Might a Forensic Scientist Have to Do in Court?

A: As part of your defense, a forensic scientist may examine the blood tests you were administered. They can dig into the maintenance and calibration records of the breathalyzer used to test you during your arrest. With knowledge of policing practices, they can examine the police department’s policies and procedures to see whether the arresting officer violates their own policies.

Schedule Your Forensic Lawyer Consultation Today

The field of forensics offers exciting opportunities for new and novel ways of defending clients against DUI charges. If you are looking for a law firm that incorporates scientific forensic methods into its criminal defense practice, contact Wooton, Davis, Hussell & Johnson, PLLC, today. Our lawyers stay up to date on important forensic methods so we can always provide a robust and comprehensive defense for our clients.