Posts Tagged ‘dwi’

Do I Have To Take A Field Sobriety Test?

August 22nd, 2010

In the event that you are pulled over under the suspicion of driving under the influence, also known as a Drunk driving, in TX, then the police may ask you to carry out one or several field sobriety checks. In these tests, an officer will start to evaluate your ability to drive a motor vehicle. While conducting this analysis, the police officer will determine things such as your:

- Motor skills – Capacity to respond – Balance and coordination

To do so, a law enforcement official might have you recite the alphabet, count backwards, or stand stationary on one leg. But field sobriety tests are not a precise way to measure if you are sober. If you have been arrested for a Texas Dui after failing field sobriety tests, then you may be able to combat your drunk driving charge. To know more, you can get the professional advice of a San Antonio Dui defense legal professional.

Do I have To Take a Field Sobriety Test?

If an officer asks you to take a field sobriety test in Texas, and you decline to do so, then the officer may still arrest you based on various other observations about your driving and conduct. However, this refusal may prevent the police officer from acquiring evidence against you.

Don’t forget, there is a camera situated at the front of every police officer’s vehicle, which will record your results in your field sobriety tests. If you decline to take the test, then there will be no video to show the court in a TX Drunk driving trial. This may help your San Antonio Dui defense lawyer build a winning case.

Are Field Sobriety Tests Often Precise?

No. Field sobriety tests are not always correct, which is what any San Antonio Dui defense attorney at law is going to tell you. The issue with field sobriety tests is that they are based on an officer’s observations, and most of the time a cop will indicate that you failed these roadside tests based on their own subjective opinion, not actual fact.

Moreover, there are other elements that may affect your field sobriety tests, such as anxiousness, illness, medication, or poor coordination. These tests are designed to be tough, and they are intended for you to fail. But with the professional support of a San Antonio Dui defense lawyer, you may be able to challenge the outcome of field sobriety tests.

A San Antonio Dui defense legal professional can take a look at your scenario, question the results of your filed sobriety tests, and help you defend against your Texas Dui charges.

When you need a Kirby DWI attorney, you will want to hire someone with experience handling DWI cases in San Antonio. Talk with a local Kirby DWI attorney who knows how to fight drunk driving cases in Texas.

I Was Arrested For DUI In Florida. What Should I Do?

August 17th, 2010

In the event that you have been pulled over under the suspicion of a DWI, you don’t have to take a field sobriety test. You could reject the test, however; your rejection can be considered an admission of guilt, and you will likely be arrested for a DUI.

It is crucial to recognize that any time you are pulled over and/or arrested for DUI, all of your behaviors are recorded by a camera in the officer’s car, and the video footage of your sobriety test can be admissible in court. By refusing the test, you will prevent the state from using this evidence against you.

If you do decide to have a field sobriety test, listen carefully to the officer’s directions. In the course of the test, the officer will evaluate your coordination for signs of impairment.

One thing he or she may have you do is to stand with one foot in front of the other, with the heel of one foot touching the toe of the other foot. You will have to remain in that position while following directions, and keeping your hands down at your side.

This is an uneasy position for any individual to manage, whether they have been drinking alcohol or not. If you are too stressed to deal with this circumstance, or feel that you could fail the test, you can refuse the test and immediately and politely voice your wish to secure the advice of a Drunk driving defense lawyer.

If you have been stopped under the suspicion of Drunk driving, you probably have lots of concerns about the significance of field sobriety tests, among other things.

If you are halted for DWI, there are numerous things you’ll want to learn about how to deal with the predicament. Everything you say and do will have implications, whether positive or negative.

If an officer suspects you of a DWI, you will be questioned, watched, asked for identification, and subjected to field sobriety tests. There is a good likelihood that the complete encounter will be videotaped. If in fact you are charged with a DWI, you’ll want to get the professional help of a DWI criminal lawyer as swiftly as possible.

Our experienced Florida DUI lawyers help individuals facing Florida drunk driving charges. Talk to a local Florida DUI lawyers today. Talking with an attorney can help you obtain the best outcome for your DUI legal matter.

How To Obtain The Best DUI Lawyer Phoenix

August 10th, 2010

Finding the right DUI lawyer Phoenix to help you with your case is one the most important steps that you’ll make throughout your legal experience. While many people tend to settle for the cheapest or most convenient attorney that’s available to others, others might actually set out to find the best representation that’s available, but can often feel overwhelmed with the task.

While obtaining the best legal service possible might seem like a difficult feat, in reality, that’s not so much the case. The main objective is to do a little bit of research when it comes to the people or firms that you’re selecting from, gaining a little bit of knowhow, and using overall common sense during your search.

Regardless if a person is dealing with an actual law firm or that of an individual, it’s highly important to ensure that their is good communication between the client and the attorney. Therefore, it’s always wise to make sure that you meet the person who will be representing your case in person before actually hiring them to do the job.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, both during the first visit and afterward. Communication between an attorney and client can play the most important role when regarding the success of your case. A good attorney will be able to answer your questions, even touching upon points that you perhaps did not think of ahead of time.

The fees for legal services are often a concern for many, and it’s often wise to make sure that you can afford an attorney before actually taking them on. Due to this, it’s often suggested to make sure that you get an estimate, preferably in writing, of the attorney’s fees and any other costs that might be involved.

Even though legal service expenses are an important thing to consider, knowing how knowledgeable the attorney is when regarding DUI-type cases is just as important, if not more so. Make sure that they have experience in DUI legalities, especially when it comes to the charges that you may be facing.

Whether or not you go with a firm or a DUI lawyer Phoenix, finding one who specialize in your particular charges can make a significant impact on the overall success that you’ll see. This is due to the fact that attorneys who may not specialize in that particular could miss important information, loopholes or other points that may be helpful to you, versus one who has experience in that specific area.

Looking to find the best deal on Phoenix dui lawyers, then visit www.yoursite.com to find the best advice on DUI lawyer in Phoenix for you.

DUI Attorney Phoenix Prevents Convictions

August 6th, 2010

If you are ever cited for DUI in Phoenix you need to work quickly to prevent a conviction. Your first step is to contact an attorney. This DUI attorney Phoenix will work to have the charges removed or to at least have the consequences reduced. His work can save you money, time, embarrassment and may save your job.

Arizona law specifies that a person convicted of a DUI may spend ten days in jail on the first conviction. In addition, you may be fined and sentenced to community service. Fortunately, just because you are arrested for DUI does not mean that you must be convicted of the crime. As a citizen, you do have constitutional rights and an attorney can help to ensure that those rights are upheld.

A DUI conviction may cost your job. Many employers will not hold your job open for your jail time. Your company insurance may refuse to cover you when driving company vehicles. If you are a commercial vehicle, the points added to your driving record may no longer allow you to hold a CDL. You may find that you are not only out of a job due to the conviction, but may have to find a new career.

Subsequent convictions for DUI charges are punishable by even more severe consequences. The sentence for a second conviction includes 90 days in jail and even higher fines. You can lose your license to drive for a year. If you are facing a second set of charges for DUI, you cannot afford to stand before the judge without a competent attorney.

If you receive the DUI conviction, your insurance is going to cost more. It is possible that your current company will cancel your policy upon learning of the conviction. Many drivers with DUI convictions on their record can only buy auto insurance from the state insurance pool. Rates may cost two to three times the price paid by others. In addition to the fines you have already paid, you will pay more penalty every month when paying for your insurance.

Other possible penalties for DUI convictions include a court ordered auto interlock device. This device must be installed at your expense on any vehicle you drive. You must first do a blow test before the vehicle will start. If you fail the test, your vehicle will not start.

Any time your are charged with DUI, do not wait. Contact a dui attorney phoenix as soon as the office opens.

Want to find out more about a Phoenix dui attorney, then visit Dean Angle’s site on how to choose the best DUI attorney in phoenix for your needs.

categories: Phoenix DUI Lawyer, DWI Attorney, DUI Lawyer, Criminal Lawyer, Attorney, DUI Defense, DUI Attorney, Criminal Defense, DUI, DWI, Phoenix, Arizona, Tempe, Scottsdale

What’s The Argument Surrounding The Intoxilyzer’s Dependability And Accuracy

July 1st, 2010

Supporters of the Intoxilyzer say the device will only absorb alcohol and nothing else. Having said that, opponents of the machine say that the it oftentimes misreads several other frequently found elements in human breath and incorrectly delivers high readings stating that they are from alcohol.

Of particular importance here are the following specifics. First, the Dui alcohol concentration law states an individual is drunk when he has a.08 in his breath, but it does not say.08 by Intoxilyzer. This point means that no judge or jury is either required or obliged to believe that an Intoxilyzer result of.08 or more is precise or reliable.

Second, the manufacturer will not allow anybody outside of law enforcement to assess the intoxilyzer’s accuracy or reliability. It is typically understood that for a procedure to be recognized as legitimate and reliable in science, it should be available to the scientific community for evaluating. This is not the situation with theIntoxilyzer.

Third, the producer states it won’t designate the Intoxilyzer to be suitable for any distinct purpose, an implied admission by the manufacturer that its device is not even warranted as precise and trustworthy for breath tests.

Fourth and last, the Intoxilyzer’s functioning design is built upon the presumption that every single person analyzed is exactly the average person. All individuals are not exactly average! People come in various different sizes, weights, ages, and differ in muscle structure, lung capacity, alcohol tolerance, temperature, hematocrit levels (amount of solids in the bloodstream) as well as blood/breath ratio (the number of times an item shows up in the blood compared to. the amount of times the identical item appears in the breath). Automatic and undiscovered mistakes can be seen by just having the person tested not be exactly average. In this regard, it should be mentioned that Intoxilyzer assumes a blood/breath ratio of 2100/1 (2100 parts alcohol in the bloodstream for every 1 part of alcohol in the breath) for every man or women tested. Here, it should be mentioned that a majority of persons maintain a blood/breath ratio of 2100/1 or greater. Individuals with a blood/breath ratio larger than 2100/1 will not be prejudiced by Intoxilyzer’s assumption. On the other hand, people with a lower blood/breath proportion will be prejudiced because the Intoxilyzer will inaccurately read too high an alcohol concentration result and can lead to someone who ought to test a.04,.05,.06, and so on. to actually check out at.08,.11,.12, and so on. Of distinct importance here is the fact that scientists have recorded people with blood/breath proportions as minimal as 1100/1.

In addition, because the machine is built, serviced, and handled by human beings, it is subject to human errors just like all other machines.

The previously mentioned facts conclusively demonstrate that the Intoxilyzer, even if it is properly operating and is being carefully operated, because the individual being tested is not exactly average, can label an innocent man or women as guilty.

Knowing your rights after a DUI charge is important. Speaking with a San Jose Criminal Defense Lawyer is a great first step at knowing what your options are. An experienced New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer can help bring to light your legal issues and choices.

Laws Related To Drunk Driving In Texas

June 10th, 2010

Texas Rules On Drunk Driving

Here are a few relevant Texas laws concerning drunk driving:

Sec. 49.04. DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) and Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of 72 hours.

(c) If it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that at the time of the offense the person operating the motor vehicle had an open container of alcohol in the person’s immediate possession, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor, with a minimum term of confinement of six days.

Sec. 49.045. DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED WITH CHILD PASSENGER. (a) A person commits an offense if:

(1) the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place; and

(2) the vehicle being operated by the person is occupied by a passenger who is younger than 15 years of age.

(b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.

Minimum Term Of Confinement

Among the first points you will probably notice about these regulations is that they have a minimum term of confinement. In case you’re convicted under the typical driving while intoxicated law, this minimum term is 72 hours, but may of course be much longer. You will also see that if you are in immediate possession of an open container of alcohol, this minimum term of confinement grows to 6 days. Either way, conviction for driving while intoxicated under this section is very likely to result in a little bit of time in jail.

That is why it is so critical to go over your choices with a local DWI legal professional, so that you can maximize your odds of getting the best possible result.

DWI With A Child Passenger

It is also necessary to note, that under Texas DWI law, if you are convicted of operating a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated with a passenger under 15 years old, it will be a felony. Having a felony on your criminal record can have a severe impact on several areas of your personal and professional life. Again, if you are facing charges under these Texas DWI laws, you really should talk to an experienced Texas DWI attorney about your alternatives.

Choosing the right Bexar drunk driving law firm is a difficult decision that should not be taken lightly. You should talk to your prospective Bexar drunk driving law firm about his/her experience handling drunk driving cases in your area.

The Subject Matter Of DWI And DUI Includes A Lot Of Myths Which Are Just False

May 30th, 2010

It is simply dangerous to drive a vehicle if drunk. Surveys reveal that the majority of people in the United states believe intoxicated driving to be among the nation’s most important social challenges, more significant than health care-related issues, poverty/hunger, bigotry, and education. Most people in the US view drunk driving by others as a main threat to themselves and their families.

The ratio of vehicle accidents attributable to alcohol consumption is in reality unknown. Alcohol-related accidents include accidents that are obviously not caused by alcoholic beverages; as, for example, when a driver who has been consuming alcohol is sitting at a red light and rear-ended by a sober but inattentive driver.

At one time, over twenty-five percent of fatally wounded motorists had BACs of at least .10. Certainly, alcohol was not a cause of some unknown number of these situations.

One death caused by alcohol consumption is far too many. Each such loss is a pointless disaster that completely traumatizes several others.

The subject matter of DWI and DUI bears many myths which are simply incorrect.

Sucking on pennies can lower a person’s BAC level. False: Sucking on pennies or other copper has absolutely no impact on alcohol breath tester BAC outcomes.

Hypoglycemia will cause acetone in the breath, which the Breathalyzer will report as alcohol on the breath. True: Unfortunately, about one of seven drivers is diabetic and in danger of false arrest and conviction for DUI/DWI.

Field sobriety testing, being determined by scientific principles, perfectly identify impaired motorists. False: A study showing police videotapes of individuals taking common field sobriety tests, and asking them to choose whether suspects were too intoxicated to drive legally, reported erroneously 46% of the time. The use of field sobriety tests led to judgments by the police that were about as accurate as a coin flip.

If you think you have been wrongfully charged with a DWI offense, it is definitely worth consulting with a legal professional who deals with DUI defense near you.

Consult with a local McKinney DWI lawyer about what steps you should take to protect your rights, freedom, and future. A local DWI lawyer is usually your best chance to get the most positive outcome.

Recent Reports On Drunk Driving

May 16th, 2010

As outlined by current data from the NHTSA, driving while drunk accidents, automobile or motor vehicle collisions, and car crashes due to drunk driving are a leading cause of death for individuals from two to 33 years old.

Thirty percent of all fatal driving while intoxicated accidents or crashes through the year were alcohol-associated, compared with 53 percent on saturdays and sundays. For all collisions, the alcohol involvement rate was 5 percent during the week and 12 percent during the end of the week. The impact of alcohol involvement increases with injury severity. Alcohol-involved or drunk driving mishaps and crashes made up 10% of property destruction only crash costs, twenty percent of nonfatal injury incidents; and over 40% of fatal injury crash costs; more than 3X as high at night as during the day.

For all incidents, the alcohol is over four times as high at night.

Youthful motorists 21 to 24 years old were most likely to be impaired (BAC of 0.08 g/dl or greater) in driving while intoxicated incidents and fatal crashes in the year 2003. 32% of drivers 21 to 24 years of age involved in dui and fatal incidents were intoxicated, followed by ages 25 to 34 and 35 to 44.

The inebriation percentage (those over .08 BAC) for male drivers engaged in fatal crashes was 25 percent, compared with 12 percent for women motorists.

For dui accidents and fatal crashes occurring from midnight to 3:00 AM, 77 percent involved alcohol in the year 2003. The next most unsafe time period for alcohol-related accident fatalities were 9 PM to midnight, followed by 3 AM to 6 AM.

Those motorists over the age of 70 were least likely to be impaired (BAC of 0.08 g/dl or greater) in dui accidents and fatal crashes in 2003 – only five percent were intoxicated.

Based on these results, there can be no doubt that dwi is still very prevalent throughout our society and certainly requires our attention.

If you are facing drunk driving charges, your best option is usually to consult with a local drunk driving law firm near you. Discuss you situation with a local Collin County DUI law firm today.

A Story About A DWI Arrest And The End Result

May 2nd, 2010

He had gone to a party with his company and had too many drinks. Once it was time to take off from the bash, he knew that he had ingested plenty of beer nevertheless he was certain that the brief trip home would be no problem. Hence, as opposed to contacting a cab, he got in the driver’s seat and started his drive. Like almost all people who drink and drive, his faculties were impaired and in just a couple minutes, he had drove into a parked car. On the plus side, no one was in the vehicle when it occurred, nevertheless the outcome and the destruction to his life were permanent.

The Repercussions of a DUI

Once the authorities stopped him his blood alcohol level was 0.2, well in excess the legal limit of .08 and so after being placed under arrest, and confessing his responsibility, he was shortly sentenced for his offense, only to find that things were likely to be considerably worse than he anticipated. Not only did he need to serve weekend time for his driving under the influence conviction, but also in addition, his career was in jeopardy and his license was revoked for a year.

A Blunder in Judgment

Although the individual in the above example was essentially an responsible person, he not unlike so many people who drink and drive, basically didn’t comprehend how hazardous it could be. Now, he was confronted by the humiliation of having a criminal record and losing his position as well as his driver’s license, all because he exercised very poor judgment when getting behind the wheel of his vehicle just after drinking. Time and again, this similar type of event occurs with thousands of people who without thinking put their life and the lives of others in peril. Not only can life become a mess when drinking and driving, but furthermore the psychological, physical and monetary damage because of one encounter of driving drunk is staggering. A DWI not only effects the life of the particular person who was drunk driving, but it has fallout that affect the lives of all the individuals who rely on the person who committed the DWI. Besides the risk of prison time, loss of a license and perhaps all driving privileges, other consequences include a large increase in insurance if not cancellation, high penalties, the potential loss of a career and the shame of a criminal record.

The Price of DWI

No matter how much you may imagine that consuming one or two beverages before driving is fine, if you have a crash and are charged with a Driving under the influence, the results will probably be really severe. The dangers are far too great and the destruction you can do to your life is simply not worth it. A DWI conviction may vanish after a few years, but a DWI criminal record could stay on your record forever. If you plan on drinking, be sure to give your keys to someone before you even start.

If you have been arrested for a DWI, get this Free San Antonio, Texas DWI Attorney Guide. It will provide helpful information about San Antonio, Texas DWI’s to be aware of.

When Is A Motorist Deemed Intoxicated?

May 2nd, 2010

When is a driver deemed to be legally intoxicated?

While state impaired driving laws are different, you are considered to be legally drunk with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater. Drinking affects all people differently, but several individuals can be viewed as legally drunk after just taking in a couple of drinks. Normally, a 185 lb guy may be over the BAC legal max after having 3 or 4 beverages, while a 125 lb woman would be regarded as unlawfully intoxicated after only 2 or 3 beverages. For individuals who never drink alcohol, even one drink may possibly induce intoxication resulting in a DUI.

Of course, how rapidly the alcohol is drank, whether or not the individual drank on an empty stomach, whether or not other drugs are being ingested, how frequently the man or woman drinks, and other components dramatically affect how the body metabolizes alcohol and therefore the blood-to-alcohol content ratio for that individual.

What transpires when an individual is arrested for driving while intoxicated?

Being arrested for drunk driving is an experience the majority of us try to avoid. After arresting you on charges of drunk driving, you’ll probably be searched by the police, your car will get towed and you’ll be transferred to jail where you’ll be “booked.” You may 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 considerate and peaceful as possible. You could possibly manage to get out of jail within a few hours of your arrest, possibly by posting bail.

If not, then you can request the judge to discharge you at your first hearing. Telephone an attorney immediately or ask a friend or family members help to do so. The legal professional can direct you through the legal procedure, as well as assist you with any associated DMV hearings which may be necessary. You’ll not only need to cope with the criminal penalties, but also with revocation of your driver’s license and quite possibly civil lawsuits if anyone was wounded due to your drunk driving.

A DUI lawyer can guide you through the court process, as well as help you with any associated hearings which may become necessary. Talk with a local California DUI lawyer near you today.