In Mississippi, not all drunk driving cases are the same. In some instances, the circumstances are unexpected and unusual involving people who would never be expected to face these allegations. That includes first responders who happen to be on duty at the time. Regardless of who is arrested, the penalties remain the same and can be harsh and problematic. To forge a viable defense, it is important to have professional assistance from the start of the case.
Police officer arrested for drunk driving while on the job
A police officer was on the wrong side of the law while on duty when he was arrested for drunk driving. He was placed under arrest by a fellow officer while in a Walmart parking lot. The arrest was made in the early morning hours and it is a first-offense DUI. The sequence of events that led to the arrest were not revealed, but the department for which he works has already taken disciplinary action. Still, it is not saying what steps were taken as it is an ongoing personnel matter.
The penalties for drunk driving can be challenging in several ways
Law enforcement officers are expected to behave professionally and follow the law. When there are accusations that a police officer failed to do so – and compounded that by committing the violation while on duty – it can lead to a litany of legal and professional problems that can upend that person’s life. The penalties for a first-offense DWI/DUI can include fines, jail time and a driver’s license suspension. This is difficult enough. For a police officer, it could result in a suspension or termination from employment. This should be factored in when thinking about a defense strategy.
Crafting a drunk driving defense is crucial
Even with complicated drunk driving cases and the possibility of life-changing consequences, there are effective avenues of defense that could be explored. The entire case itself could be scrutinized to see if mistakes were made. The evidence could be faulty. Or there might be treatment alternatives to avoid conviction. Before making a complex situation worse, it is wise to have professional advice to create a plan and implement it to achieve a positive result.