An off duty Oregon State Policeman was charged last month with a DUI. At his arraignment the officer filed to participate in the Oregon DUI diversion program. Officer Mitchell Hurliman has been on restricted duty since the incident. The Oregon DUI diversion program carries many requirements – the most important would be that the applicant has had no prior arrests for DUI.
The diversion program, which can replace the DUI on your record in Oregon, has changed for DUI arrests after January 1st 2012. Now the person in the program can only drive their car and it needs to be fitted with an ignition interlock device. Another new part of the law prohibits any involvement with intoxicants of any kind while in the program.
This program, while strict, is certainly better than having a DUI conviction on your record in most cases. Any person in Oregon facing a DUI charge should consult with an Oregon DUI attorney in order to establish the best plan of defense for their situation.
There may have been mistakes made by the arresting officer that could be used to have the DUI charges reduced or dismissed. An experienced Oregon DUI attorney will look for these mistakes and investigate the circumstances that led to your arrest providing you with the best chance for a favorable verdict.