The presumption of innocence is one of the most important principals in the American legal system. You are innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law. This remains true no matter how certain the police claim to be of your guilt and no matter how seemingly strong the evidence.
For those facing drunk driving and drug arrests in Tennessee and Georgia, failure to remember this principal can result in the compromising of important rights. Don’t ever plead guilty without first consulting with a skilled defense lawyer who knows and can protect your rights. Consider these three scenarios in which this legal principal finds its real-world applications.
You blew above .08
Breath tests are not always reliable. For test results to be legally admissible, the machine must be in proper working condition, manufactured and calibrated according to strict protocols, and administered by qualified personnel. No matter what the test said, you are innocent until proven guilty.
You failed the field sobriety test
There are many reasons besides intoxication a person may fail a field sobriety test, including a recent injury, a medical condition and obesity. Your test results are merely evidence, not proof, of intoxication. No matter how poorly you performed, you are innocent until proven guilty.
The police found drugs in your car
The U.S. constitution protects all of us from illegal searches conducted by police. This applies to drug arrests in Tennessee and Georgia. Police must play by the rules and abide by the law. When they fail to do so, evidence may be deemed inadmissible in court. No matter what the police found or claimed to find in your car, you are innocent until proven guilty.
Your future may depend on knowing your rights
Criminal defendants make life-changing mistakes when they fail to realize that the law is on their side. Pleading guilty can be a grave error you will regret for the rest of your life. Before making any important decisions, always consult with a knowledgeable defense lawyer who can help you understand the true strength of the case against you. Your future may depend on it.