I have a DUI charge here in Anchorage, Alaska and I am finding reasons to fight my case because I think that it’s gonna be over if I just plead guilty. Will I have any legal and emotional reasons to fight my case?

Elise

Anchorage, AK

Of course you do, you definitely have legal and emotional reasons to fight your DUI case in Alaska. One aspect of your DUI case that you and your DUI lawyer would have to look into is the DUI traffic stop. The prosecution has to prove that the DUI stop was legal in the first place. The DUI lawyer could also have an independent testing of the blood sample that was drawn when you were arrested. The blood sample could also probably be clotted or fermented that produced a false high blood alcohol content (BAC) reading.

The emotional reasons to fight your DUI case could also be significant. Just like any boxer would tell you, it would be better to go down swinging that to back down from the fight. Shrinking from the battle, be it may in the courtroom or elsewhere in life, could bring emotional wounds that are far more hurtful than anything the judge could for you. Sometimes, it would be important to fight, just so you know you have done everything in your power to help the situation. Not to fight your DUI case would carry emotional baggage for a lifetime.

I heard that here in Alaska, blood alcohol test is the most common method used for measuring blood alcohol content. What problems or risks could someone have from having a blood sample taken for blood alcohol testing?

Mark
Anchorage, AK

In Alaska, blood alcohol testing may be the most commonly used method for measuring the blood alcohol content for someone who is suspected for DWI. In the state of Alaska, the legal definition of intoxication would be reaching the point when the blood alcohol content is at or exceeds 0.08%.

There could be a very little chance of a problem from having blood sample taken from a vein. One is that a person may get a small bruise at the site. It could have a lower chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In very rare cases, the vein could become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This kind of problem is called phlebitis wherein symptoms include pain or burning along the length of the vein, redness or swelling. To treat this, a warm compress could be used several times a day. Ongoing bleeding could also be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin and other blood-thinning medicines could make bleeding more likely. If someone has bleeding or clotting problems or takes blood-thinning medicine, he/she should tell the doctor before blood sample is taken.