Alexandria, VA criminal defense attorney Chris Leibig talks about a memorable DWI case he handled. He notes that while he handles a range of criminal cases, DUIs are not his primary focus. Over the course of his career, he has handled thousands, but typically only a few per year. Some attorneys specialize exclusively in DUIs, and he acknowledges their expertise, sometimes referring such cases to them, as he generally focuses on more complex or high-stakes matters.

He recalls a particularly interesting DUI case from earlier this year. The client had been sleeping in his car at a park after drinking. Although the car was turned off, the park was closed, and police officers arrived, using a loudspeaker and flashing lights to order him to leave. Confused and complying with the officers’ instructions, the client got into his car and began driving slowly, which led to his being pulled over and charged with a DUI.

The defense argued that the client was acting under public authority, responding to the officers’ instructions, rather than intending to drive. While the court did not accept this argument, he is currently pursuing an appeal, contending that the client’s actions were a reasonable response to law enforcement directions late at night. He views the case as an example of the challenges individuals can face when caught in unexpected and high-pressure situations, and believes the initial outcome was unjust.