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Posts Tagged ‘dui’

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July 4, 2010

Woman Charged with Murder in San Diego Car Accident

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A woman in San Diego is facing murder charges in connection with a fatal DUI collision that killed 95-year-old Benjamin Friedman on April 21, 2010.

Link:
Woman Charged with Murder in San Diego Car Accident

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April 30, 2010

A Short Story On A DWI Arrest And The Consequences

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He had attended a soiree with his employer and had a bit too much to drink. As soon as it was time to take off from the party, he recognized that he had drank plenty of alcohol but he was confident that the quick trip home would be uneventful. Hence, instead of calling a friend, he got got in his car and commenced his drive. Just like a lot of people who drive after drinking, his senses were impaired and in just a couple minutes, he had drove into a parked car. Luckily, no one was in the vehicle when it happened, however the aftermath and the destruction to his life were permanent.

The Consequences of a Driving Under The Influence Charge

Once the police came up on him his blood alcohol level was 0.2, way over the legal limit of .08 and so after being placed under arrest, and confessing his guilt, he was shortly sentenced for his crime, only to find out that things were going to be considerably worse than he estimated. Not only did he have to serve weekend time for his DUI conviction, but also in addition, his position was at risk and his driver’s license was suspended for a year.

A Mistake in Judgment

Although the individual in the above example was essentially an upstanding person, he just like so many individuals who drive drunk, basically didn’t realize how dangerous it can be. Now, he was faced with the mortification of having a record and losing his employment as well as his license, all simply because he utilized bad decision-making when getting behind the wheel of his car just after drinking. Time and again, this same type of incident happens to thousands of people who without contemplating put their livelihood and the lives of others in jeopardy. Not only can life grow to be a mess when drinking and driving, but furthermore the psychological, physical and monetary harm caused by one experience of driving under the influence is shocking. A Driving under the influence not only has an effect on the life of the person who was driving drunk, but it has consequences that affect the lives of all the individuals who rely on the person who committed the DUI. In addition to the risk of prison time, loss of a license and oftentimes all driving privileges, other results include a massive increase in insurance if not cancellation, large penalties, the potential loss of a career and the shame of a record.

The Price tag of DWI

Regardless of how much you may imagine that consuming one or two drinks before driving is okay, if you have a crash and are charged with a Driving under the influence, the repercussions will be very significant. The risks are far too great and the damage you can do to your life is simply not worth it. A Drunk driving conviction may go away after a few years, but a Drunk driving criminal record may stay on your record forever. If you plan on drinking, be sure to give your keys to someone before you even start.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DWI, download this Free San Antonio, TX DWI Law Firm Guide. It will provide additional information about San Antonio, TX DWI’s to be aware of.

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April 27, 2010

At What Point Is A Driver Unlawfully Inebriated?

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When is a driver of a vehicle considered to be illegally intoxicated?

Despite the fact that state drunk driving laws and regulations vary, you are considered to be legally drunk with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher. Alcohol consumption influences every person in different ways, but a lot of people may be considered legally drunk after just ingesting a couple of drinks. Normally, a 185 lb male might be over the BAC lawful max after drinking 3 or 4 drinks, while a 125 lb woman could be considered legally inebriated after only 2 or 3 beverages. For men and women who never drink alcohol, even one beer might possibly cause intoxication bringing about a DWI.

Obviously, how speedily the alcohol is ingested, whether or not the man or woman drank on an empty stomach, whether or not other drugs are being taken, how consistently the man or woman drinks, and other components drastically affect how the body digests alcohol and therefore the blood-to-alcohol content ratio for that particular person.

What goes on when somebody is arrested for drunk driving?

Being arrested for drunk driving is a scenario almost all of us try to avoid. Following getting arrested on charges of impaired driving, you’ll very likely be searched by the police, your automobile will get towed and you’ll be transferred to jail where you’ll be “booked.” You could be set in a “drunk tank” with other alcohol or drug impaired arrestees. In spite of being under the influence of alcohol, try to be as polite and silent as attainable. You may manage to get out of jail within a few hours of your arrest, either by posting bail.

If not, then you can ask the judge to release you at your first hearing. Get in touch with legal counsel without delay or ask a friend or family members aid to do so. The legal professional can direct you through the legal progression, as well as assist you with any associated DMV hearings which may be necessary. You’ll not only have to deal with the criminal fines, but also with suspension of your driver’s license and perhaps civil lawsuits if any individual was seriously injured due to your drunk driving.

Being arrested for a DWI is a situation all of us try to avoid. However, if you have been arrested, speaking with a DWI Lawyer San Antonio can help. Talking with an experienced Helotes DWI lawyer will help you to understand your rights and the potential consequences of your situation.

Law

April 23, 2010

Tom’s River DWI

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You will find two approaches for the courts to prosecute a person for DUI in Tom’s River. The first is to demonstrate they were DWI (driving under the influence) or DUI (driving while intoxicated) by looking at driving behaviour and a subsequent field sobriety test. Another is by conducting an alcohol breath test and verifying that the individual is over the state’s legal limit. If you or people you care about has been charged with driving while drunk, you need to find a good New jersey driving while intoxicated lawyer to guide you through the maze that is Tom’s River driving under the influence law.

Being a jack of all trades can be good, especially in something like home remodeling. But in the Driving while intoxicated defense business, the best ones practice DWI law, day in and day out. The drunk driving laws are tough in this state and you need somebody who’s a professional in this area, specifically.

Getting arrested for DWI in NJ is a serious problem. The laws are serious and the penalties are serious. Mandatory suspension of the driver’s license may result from a conviction.

First offenders, testing between 0.08-0.10 blood alcohol level, may get mandatory jail time for at least 12 hours and not more than 48 hours. You’ll find fines and other penalties. It becomes part of the public record. It can be very embarrassing. 2nd offenders get stiffer penalties. Third time offenders may get a mandatory 180 day jail stay, plus increased monetary penalties.

A suspect refusing to allow administration of the breath or blood tests may have to face that refusal when it’s admitted as evidence in court. Your driver’s license could be gone for a long time if you refuse to submit.

The main point here is that Driving under the influence expenses are serious. You don’t hope to face them all on your own. In order to best defend your rights and independence, you should discuss your options with a law firm who has a focused practice on DUI and Driving under the influence defense. Ultimately, this is your best bet to obtain the best result for the particular circumstances of your drunk driving legal problem.

Choosing the right dui attorney is a complex decision that should not be taken lightly. You should talk to your prospective attorney about his/her experience handling dui issues, like yours, in your area.

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April 14, 2010

Techniques To Help Fight Traffic Tickets

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Traffic tickets can stick with you for a while. Some states will keep this violation on your record for 2 or 3 years. You will also face higher insurance premiums, once you have paid the expensive fee that often accompanies a violation. If you feel that you were unjustly served a violation, there are a number of techniques you can use in court in order to prevent this violation from sticking to your record.

Typically, a violation is given due to the subjective judgment of a police office. Challenge this view, but make sure to use facts to back up your argument to make it reasonable. When you only depend on your word versus the officer’s word, the judge will most likely side with the officer. For instance, challenge where the officer was located, and how this may have hindered his viewpoint of what actually happened.

There are practical steps you can take to create doubt in a judge’s mind. Remember; do not only rely on your words and your version of the story. Gather real information and facts to build your case.

Example of case building can be the gathering of eyewitness statements. Take statements from bystanders or the passenger in the car, who may be willing to testify on your behalf. Present a simple and easy to understand diagram of the location of the incident. This may be particularly helpful if you are disputing an incident that involves an intersection. Consult assistance with a professional criminal lawyer if you feel unprepared for your trial.

Present pictures of road signs or conditions that may have provoked your driving. These pictures can be used to show unclear road signs, such as a stop sign covered by a tree, etc. You can also use this strategy to show that the officer may not have had a clear vantage point of what supposed driving violation you committed, from where the police car was parked.

Prove to the judge that you made an honest, unintentional mistake. This may happen if you failed to stop at a pedestrian stop because the strips were faded. You may have missed a stop sign that has just been placed. With this strategy you are building a case that you could not have known what action was required of you, since the conditions were so unclear.

Sometimes you may have had to actually do what you are being violated for. In this case, you may seek legal justification. For instance, you may have been driving slowly in the left lane because you were preparing for a legal left turn. You may have switched lanes without using a signal because a car was closing in on you quickly, and you were afraid of being part of an accident.

It may seem that fighting traffic tickets are a lost cause, but not fighting them may become a burden to your wallet. You will have to pay the fee that is associated with the violation. Then, you can also expect to pay higher premium rates on your automobile insurance. In addition, you can also expect demerit points placed on your license. Depending on your state these points may stay on your license anywhere from 2-3 years.

As the leading professional legal services across the province, our team of DUI lawyer Toronto will assist you with any traffic tickets. We specialize in representing drunk and driving Toronto clients charged with traffic offences, as well as compliance management services for the trucking industry.

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March 25, 2010

San Antonio Dwi Attorney Is Here To Help

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The San Antonio dwi attorney will defend you in your charge of driving while intoxicated. If you are pulled over by the police who suspect you of driving while intoxicated you will need to be cooperative. You will most likely be asked to perform a field sobriety test.

If so let the officer know of any injury you might have that will affect the test. If you have an old sports injury mention this to the officer. If you have any physical disability mention that as well. Also let him or her know how long you have been up that day.

They are there to make it look like you are under the influence. So they will make you do a test that even if you are completely sober you might not be able to pass. They will have you out on the side of the street with cars racing by you in the dark with a flashlight in your eyes.

Even if he is holding a flashlight on the line it might be difficult for you to see the line. Let him know if you have any problems with your eyesight that affect the test. He might ask you to hold your head back. Let him know if you have a chronic stiff neck or any other neck pain that would prevent you from doing the test correctly.

If you have a leg injury let them know before they ask you to walk a line in the ground. If you have back problems let them know that you have trouble standing on one leg and holding the other up. If you have bee up since four in the morning tell them this is why your eyes are bloodshot.

Make sure to keep track of all you say to the police officer. Tell your lawyer what you said to the officer. These factors may help you in your case against the charge. Your attorney will be able to best help you when you are also helping yourself.

If you have been arrested and charged with a DWI, talking to an experienced San Antonio DWI lawyer can be very beneficial. A Bexar county, Texas DUI attorney can advise you about your rights.

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March 16, 2010

What should I do if I am stopped for a DUI?

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Most people have been stopped by law enforcement at one time or another for a traffic violation. Whether the stop is for something as simple as a burned out headlight, or you didn’t come to a complete stop, we all know that feeling when we see the flashing lights in our rear-view mirror. Imagine how much worse that feeling is when you have had a little too much to drink. Every day I meet with people who have been charged with traffic violations and drunk driving offenses. As I explain to a client their rights, one of the comments I hear most is, I wish I had known that when I was stopped.

Many people are under-educated about their rights, or even misinformed about the law and what decisions they should make when they are stopped for a traffic offense. Many people think they should just do whatever the police officer tells them to do because they don’t have any other options. Below is a basic list of things to keep in mind when you are stopped for drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Laws will vary from state to state, and the following list is Colorado specific. Please check with a local attorney about the laws in your state.

1. You have the right to remain silent. You don’t need to answer any questions the police ask you about where you were going, why they stopped you, or how much you have had to drink. Even from their very first contact, the police are trying to build a case against you. Always be polite with the officer, but do not make any statements about what happened, how much you have had to drink, or any other violation they are investigating.

After you provide the officer your drivers license, proof of insurance and registration, your best advice is to keep your mouth shut. When the officer stops you he is looking for any clue that you may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even if you answer innocuous questions, the officer is looking for clues when you talk such as the smell of alcohol on your breath, or slow/slurred speech.

One of the officers first questions is almost always, How much have you had to drink tonight? Some of the most common answers to this question are, two beers, or, I had a couple with dinner. Many people erroneously think that if they minimize their use it wont look as bad, but by admitting to alcohol use you are helping law enforcement build a case against you.

2. Do not take any roadside sobriety tests. Roadside sobriety tests are voluntary. These tests are used to help the officer determine if you are under the influence and can be used at trial and at the Department of Revenue/Motor Vehicle hearing against you. Do not provide the police with any additional evidence that can bolster their case. These tests often include eye tests, walk and turn, one leg stand, alphabet or counting tests.

This includes any preliminary breath tests (PBT) at the scene of the traffic stop. The results of the PBT are not admissible in Court in Colorado because they are so inaccurate. However, the police use these tests to confirm their suspicion that you are under the influence, and to build their case against you for further tests that are admissible in Court.

3. If you do not take the mandatory chemical test, you could lose your license. In Colorado, if you do not take the mandatory chemical test of your breath or blood as is required under express consent laws, you will lose your license for a year in addition to any other license suspension imposed. The mandatory chemical tests include a blood test, a breath test or urinalysis. The mandatory breath test is different from the PBT, and is typically done on a large machine at the police station after an observation period is completed under strict regulations. If you don’t know if a test is required under the law, ask the officer. In many cases you would be best advised to submit to a chemical test of your blood. In Colorado, a second sample will be taken of your blood. This second sample is available to you to be tested at an independent lab. In many cases this second result can come back lower, or so different from the first test as to cast doubt onto the result of either test. These results can be used to your advantage in plea negotiations and at trial.

If you refuse chemical testing you can still be charged with drunk driving. Many people believe that if they don’t submit to a test, then the government will not be able to pursue a case against you for drunk driving. Prosecutors may still use all other evidence they obtained against you such as bad driving, smell of alcohol, visual clues of intoxication, roadsides tests, and even the fact that you refused the test can be used against you in Court.

4. You have a limited time to request a Department of Motor Vehicles/Department of Revenue hearing. If you are above the legal limit of a .08 BAC in Colorado two proceedings will begin against you, 1) the criminal process, and 2) the DMV/DOR process. Although the criminal process can carry hefty penalties such as fines, jail, community service, and alcohol classes, the DMV only has the power to suspend or revoke your driving privileges. You may say, Only? My ability to drive is a huge deal. That is why it is so important to request a DMV hearing before the time runs and the suspension automatically goes into effect.

In Colorado, you have seven days from the date of the results of the breath test to request a hearing or your license will automatically be revoked. For a blood test, the procedure is a little different. Whereas the results of a breath test are immediate it often takes a few weeks for blood results to come back from the lab. If you were above a .08 law enforcement will forward your results to the DMV, and you will receive a notice via mail. This letter will have all instructions on how to request a hearing and a deadline by which the hearing must be requested. Whether you chose a breath test or blood test, you should request a hearing as soon as possible so you can explore all legal and factual defenses at the DMV/DOR hearing to protect your driving privileges.

When you request the hearing you will receive a temporary permit that is valid until the date of the hearing. Remember, if you don’t request the hearing you will automatically lose your license. In many situations there is a legal or factual defense that can save your license if the proper arguments are presented at the hearing.

5. Hire an experienced Drunk Driving attorney as soon as possible. A drunk driving case presents many highly complex legal and procedural issues. A plea or a conviction to a drunk driving charge can have lasting implications on your life, your license, and your freedom. It can also have many unforeseen consequences as well. An experienced drunk driving defense attorney will advise you at all stages of your case of potential pitfalls and other issues as they may arise in your case.

A DUI attorney will review your case for all legal and factual deficiencies in the governments case against you to help you present your best defense. The old saying that only a fool represents himself could not be more true. The earlier you hire an attorney, the better, so as to avoid making any costly mistakes early in the case.

Mr.ua McDowell is a Colorado Springs DUI Attorney practicing all criminal matters including, DUI defense, theft, felonies, and misdemeanors. Colorado DUI laws are complicated and is a criminal field that requires a very specialized knowledge of the law and it’s application to a criminal case.

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March 12, 2010

If You Ever Need A Good New Jersey Dui Lawyer…

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In N. J., you can be convicted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) one of two ways. Either you took a blood/alcohol test or a breath/alcohol and tested over the legal limit or you failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over for driving ‘erratically’. Either way, if this happens to you, you’re going to need to secure the services of a professional New Jersey DUI lawyer.

Being a jack of all trades doesn’t always cut it in this specific area of law. Sometimes, the best DUI attorneys are exclusively DUI attorneys and nothing else. They know the ins and outs of the system and keep current with recent changes. That’s who you want to look to for help.

Drunk driving in New Jersey is a serious offense and, if convicted, can bring mandatory fines and community service duty. There’s a mandatory suspension of driving privileges, and even mandatory jail time in many instances.

If you’re a first offender and test above the legal limit may have to go to jail for at least 12 hours. They can’t keep you more than 48. You’ll receive a fine and maybe some community service duty. You will become part of the public record. Your life will be changed.

If a suspect refuses to submit to a breath test or blood test after a DUI arrest it may be admissible in court. There are serious consequences for a refusal regarding driving privileges.

The main point here is that Driving under the influence expenses are serious. You don’t hope to face them all on your own. In order to best defend your rights and independence, you should discuss your options with a law firm who has a focused practice on DUI and DWI defense. Ultimately, this is your best bet to obtain the best result for the particular circumstances of your DWI legal problem.

If you’re facing Driving under the influence or DWI offenses in NJ, you need to learn your options. Talk to an experienced local NJ Driving under the influence attorney about what steps you should take.

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March 11, 2010

San Jose DWI Lawyer

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A San Jose DWI lawyer can defend you if you are looking at a charge of driving while intoxicated. If you are stopped for alleged drunk driving you will be asked by the officer to go through the field sobriety.

If the officer thinks you did not pass according to his subjective observation you will be arrested and taken to the police station. You car or truck will be impounded. At the police station you will go through an alcohol testing.

This does not mean you are actually safe to drive at any level of alcohol but there has to be a legal limit set. It is unclear how much alcohol affects a particular person. But the bottom line is that to drink and drive is an irresponsible act. The person drinking and then driving can injure himself and others and also kill on the road.

This is why there are so many laws on the book that limit the rights of those who are charged with drunk driving. This is why anyone who has been charged with this offense needs to seek the right legal help to defend their rights.

This is not to say that a person who is actually guilty of the offense should escape punishment but people are still innocent until proven guilty even those who are suspected of driving while under the influence. If you are pulled over and you do not agree to the field sobriety test you are subject to arrest.

This does not mean you are arrested for drunk driving but for refusing to take the test. You will be taken to the station where you will be tested for your level of alcohol. If your level is high enough you will be arrested for driving under the influence. If you are not high enough you will be released.

If you are facing drunk driving charges in SJ, you need to discuss your options with an experienced SJ drunk driving Lawyer.

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Facing DUI? How to Combat Breathalyzers and Field Sobriety Tests

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Perhaps the most crucial decision a DUI attorney must make during a case is deciding on what argument to present. As once this argument is presented, it is often times quite difficult to present another argument if the first one falls flat. The

Once the DUI attorneys first argument is made, the following arguments must remain consistent and support the main argument. If a DUI attorney fails to do this, they can come across as being sneaky or unorganized.

Defending yourself in a DUI case can be very difficult, and you want to be sure all of your arguments are solid. It is never a good idea to argue that a defendant was just barely over the states legal limit, because the jury will see right through that kind of argument. In a court of law you can only be guilty or not guilty, but not a little bit of either. If that is the kind of argument your case is relying on, it would probably be smarter to try and negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor instead of taking your case to court

Along those same lines a DUI attorney should never try to argue that their client did not realize they were drunk above the legal limit. This argument holds no water, as the defendant is in adults and is therefore responsible for all of their choices. Another important tip, is to never refer to the breath test equipment as either the machine or instrument. The majority of people, including the jury associate both of those terms as equipment that is almost always right.

When taking on a breathalyzer test it is important you understand how they work. They do not actually tests for your blood alcohol level, but actually register only an estimation based on your breath. Breathalyzer tests can vary significantly between individuals even if they have the exact same blood alcohol level. Therefore, when you are facing breathalyzer test in court, it is much more effective to show the results to the jury and argue how the device can give incorrect readings.

Now that you understand more about a breathalyzer test, it is important you follow another tip. When combating the results from a breathalyzer in court, do not use scientific kind of terms like “margin of error”. Terms like this can confuse and bore the jurors. Instead, give them a range. You can’t say something like, “when someone consumes X amount of alcoholic drinks, a breathalyzer test can give a reading somewhere between X and X. Another tip worth mentioning is to never try and attack the police officer for being corrupt unless you have some hard evidence, as this will be a very hard sell to the jury.

Another good point to note, is rather than attacking the police officer’s integrity, it is a better idea to discuss the correct breathalyzer procedures and show to the jury how the police officer didn’t follow them. A good example would be, that the rules state the officer must wait near the driver for 15 to 20 minutes prior to administering the breathalyzer test, because if the driver has consumed certain foods or burped, the test can give an incorrect reading and actually show higher results than are true.

It is also very important to discuss that breathalyzer devices and field sobriety tests are different from city to city. You need to make sure the jury understands that old of these procedures are not 100% accurate, and can commonly give a false reading. If the jurors have it in their head that these devices or tests are perfect, you will have a very difficult time convincing them the defendant is not guilty.

Are you trying to find the best deal on a San Diego DUI attorney, then visit www.sandiegoduiattorneynow.com to find the best advice from a skilled San Diego DUI Attorney for you.