scottsdale-dui-lawyer

Police: DUI stop before trooper’s shooting was suspect’s wife
The woman who was pulled over for DUI just before Trooper Scott Johnson was shot was the suspected gunman’s wife, detectives said.

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Gators’ Carlos Dunlap, arrested on DUI charges before SEC title game, will play in Sugar Bowl
Gators’ Carlos Dunlap, arrested on DUI charges before SEC title game, will play in Sugar Bowl

Read more on The Palm Beach Post

Gators’ Carlos Dunlap, arrested on DUI charges before SEC title game, will play in Sugar Bowl

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Substance abuse prevention speakers take the topic seriously, but sometimes I wonder just how many others do? I suppose as a substance abuse prevention speaker who knows the pain and torment personally from an experiential level, I am more apt to see the danger in substance abuse and drunk driving.

I grew up the son of a mother (a former high school cheerleader and honor graduate) who was an alcoholic and substance abuser. As a child I saw my beloved mother self-destruct and torment my grandparents as a result of alcoholism and using every drug imaginable. Ironically, my mother (a former drunk driver herself) was killed when crossing the road as a pedestrian when an 18 year-old drunk driver hit her – killing her on impact.

Dead on arrival, police awaited the return of the young drunk driver who left the scene of the accident. Upon returning, the police video (which I later painfully watched) showed the young man crying and screaming, “I can’t live with this on my mind!”

As a former lifeguard and fitness trainer I don’t drink alcohol to this day. Yet I don’t condemn those who do and kindly serve as the designated driver whenever anybody close to me drinks.

After a childhood of pain and hell as a result of substance abuse and drunk driving, I myself was hit and nearly killed in July 2008 by a drunk driver (a two-time DUI offender driving after her license was revoked). The 61 year-old lady barreling down the road in a large Chevy truck, driving drunk at 4:40PM on a Tuesday afternoon, hit my car repeatedly (completely totaling it and nearly killing me) without stopping, attempting to flee the scene of the accident, after which she hit and totaled a parked car before being arrested by police.

For nearly five months I drove numerous rental cars, while battling my insurance company to be financially compensated to purchase a replacement vehicle for my automobile totaled by the negligible drunk driver. Even worse I spent days and nights in hospitals and doctors’ offices receiving medical treatment after the accident for injuries, which still cause me pain and trouble to this day. The added stress and strain medically and financially also negatively affected my marriage, as logistically my wife and I shared the one vehicle the drunk driver totaled.

Personally encountering the crooked and fraudulent business practices of tow truck companies, medical professionals, insurance claims adjusters, and car salesmen added additional aggravation and suffering to my life at a time when I was most vulnerable.

Nevertheless I somehow persevered and battled through it all to stand tall, becoming a voice of conscience to substance abusers, drunk drivers, they who prey on victims of catastrophic accidents, and those suffering through seasons of tragedy turning their world upside down.

I guess God spared my life so I can speak to others.

Across the USA, the most common crime booked in a year, by far, is DUI. Driving while intoxicated is no minor matter. A person can get anything from a warning to jail time. DUI can start as a misdemeanor and escalate into a felonious crime by degree; however, no matter what degree of culpability you face, DUI can turn your world upside-down.

Nearly 1.4 million drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs every year. While this is a serious charge, if you are arrested for a DUI you have rights that you need to protect. DUI comes under criminal law. Besides hefty fines, alcohol programs and community service, you might also get a serious punishment like jail term. Taking the right steps after DUI arrest, is the only way to get out of trouble.

All about DUI Laws:

The DUI laws have a commonality in the following areas. DUI starts under between .08 to .10 blood alcohol levels, and then kicks into DUI at between .08 to .10 blood alcohol levels. These levels are doubly indemnifying for all drivers in the US less than 21 years of age. Depending on the state, a person may have their driver’s license suspended any length of time from seven days to three years. Fines for DUI across the country range from $250.00 to $2500.00.

The punishment depends on factors like:

State where you were arrested

If you refused to take a BAC level test

What was your BAC level

If this is the first time you have been caught

If there were children with you in the vehicle or in the vicinity

If you were caught speeding

If there was any accident, damage or injury involved

According to DUI laws, the legal consequences of the offense can be:

License revocation or suspension: This punishment is regardless of the criminal charges you might face under DUI laws. In 41 states and District of Columbia there are administrative license suspension laws. Under these laws, if the driver fails or refuses to take a chemical test, his license is taken away before conviction.

Ignition interlocks: Some states allow offenders to drive only if their vehicles are equipped with ignition interlocks. This gadget looks for traces of alcohol in driver’s breath and upon confirmation, it shuts down the ignition.

Vehicle seizure: In some states, drunk driving may entail seizure of the vehicle.

Fines: They vary from state to state. Fines can be anywhere between $200 to $2000 and onwards.

Jail: Repeat offenders are more at risk of inviting a jail term. But that does not mean that a first timer is safe from it as a lot depends on how serious his cases is.

Other punishments include mandatory attendance at alcohol education programs and community service.

If you are arrested for DUI, then hiring a DUI lawyer proves to be the best decision. Driving under the influence can have serious consequences on you if you are involved in a car accident. You may face consequences like jail or prison, penalties or fines, vehicle impoundments, etc. The DUI lawyer is familiar with the intricacies and procedures involved with DUI charges and are your best bet if you find yourself in such a predicament.

Hiring the perfect DUI/DWI lawyer to represent you in your DUI case can be a challenge with so many lawyers to choose from. It’s already bad enough that you have to cope with the idea of being arrested and thinking about the next step to take. You conduct searches on the internet for a DUI lawyer and ask friends for referrals, but how do you really know if this will be the right lawyer to represent you? Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you hire a San Diego DUI lawyer to represent you:

1. How long has he/she been practicing DUI/DWI defense? It’s important to know what kind of experience your DUI lawyer has had. Naturally, the more experienced they are, the better they are at finding information and resources to help you with your case.

2. Is the lawyer easily accessible? Can you contact him/her by phone and email without having to go through the run-around? If you have to answer to a lawyer’s secretary all the time, then you’re working with the wrong person.

3. Will the lawyer be in court with you or will he/she send an assistant? It’s important to have someone in court with you whom you trust will represent you well.

4. Is he/she approachable and easy to talk to? How do you feel when you’re interacting with the DUI lawyer? You want to hire a San Diego DUI lawyer who is open and honest with you.

Take your time when hiring a DUI lawyer and don’t hire based on price. Your future and driver’s license are at stake here! You want someone who will represent you to the best of their ability and has a sincere desire to help you.