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Enhancements: Those factors that can
operate to increase the punishment in a drunk
driving, DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, or related driving
under the influence case. These enhancements may
include driving above a certain speed while DUI,
having minors in the car while drunk driving, having
a BAC above a certain level (.20, for example),
refusing to take a chemical test after being
arrested for DUI, being involved in a traffic
accident while DUI or DWI, or having prior
convictions for DUI, DWI, or a related drunk driving
offense.
Exculpatory Evidence: Evidence that the
District Attorney may possess that could
establish your innocence.
Expert Witnesses: Expert witnesses are
individuals trained in some particular specialty,
such as medicine, engineering, accident
reconstruction, or economics. By virtue of this
training they are qualified to render "expert
opinions" or "expert testimony"
regarding the facts of a case. Some expert witnesses
may have had direct involvement in the personal
injury case prior to the beginning of a lawsuit,
such as a treating physician (who directly provided
medical care to an injured person) or a police
officer at a traffic accident scene who has been
trained in accident reconstruction (although very
few officers actually have more than minimal
training in this specialty). Most expert witnesses,
however, are hired by one side or the other in a
personal injury case for the purpose of analyzing
complex information that falls within their area of
expertise. Expert witnesses may be vital to a
personal injury case's successful conclusion,
especially in cases where the facts are highly
disputed or particularly complicated. As personal
injury attorneys gain experience in their specialty,
they will become more and more familiar with whom
the most qualified and respected expert witnesses
are.
