Pantsless, Belligerent Woman Arrested for DUI in Pennsylvania

Los Angeles DUI stories often tend toward the lurid and, occasionally, the surreal.

However, recent DUI stories from the Southland have been downright pedestrian compared to this recent event out of Pennsylvania. Police arrested a woman named Justine King in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania and charged her with DUI driving, public lewdness, reckless driving, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

When police responded to an accident report, they allegedly found the woman in her car in the middle of an intersection. Reports say that King had just hit another vehicle, and she was sitting in her car with the air bag still deployed. Allegedly, she was naked from the waist down and sitting on an empty liquor bottle. King later denied that she had hit another car, but police said that she would not get out of the vehicle because she wasn’t wearing pants. The police reported seeing her clothing on the floorboards of the car.

King allegedly remained belligerent as officers handcuffed her and drove her to a local hospital for a BAC (blood alcohol content) blood test. Police say the woman refused to cooperate or put on clothes, and they called for a gown to be available at the hospital. The arresting officer said that King kicked out the back window of his vehicle while he retrieved the gown.

While it is a good idea to avoid talking to a police officer more than necessary during a DUI arrest, it is never advisable to refute obvious facts or to refuse to cooperate in this kind of ridiculous manner. In California, you have the right to refuse a field sobriety test, for instance. Doing so, however, may provide probable cause for an arrest. Doing so in a preposterous, disrespectful manner can earn you additional charges and possibly more jail time.

You cannot avoid taking a blood test to determine your BAC level after you have been arrested. Refusing a test before an arrest may lead to the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. However, depending on what happened, you may be able to challenge the legality of the DUI stop or arrest.

Locating a seasoned and qualified Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer is a critical part of the process of reclaiming your life, your time and your peace of mind. Call ex-prosecutor Michael Kraut for a free consultation right now.

Did you get arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles? If so, contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut for assistance by phone at (323) 464-6453 or online. We’re located at 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1480, Los Angeles, California 90028.

Continue Reading...

Will I lose my job if I get arrested for DUI in Maryland

Will I lose my job if I get arrested for DUI? Always a question on the lips of those arrested for an alcohol violation in Maryland. The short answer is probably not! In our over 20 years experience I can count (probably on less than one hand) the number of times a person has lost their job for a first or second time DUI arrest. Obviously there are many factors that play into how one's employer may feel about such and arrest and therefore, one of the threshold questions may be 'will the employer find out about the arrest?'

The regular employer who is not a government entity does not typically sit around checking Maryland's government websites to determine if one of their people has been arrested and therefore the decision is left to the employee to determine if and when this private situation should be made public.

At a minimum, unless you are under some form of legal obligation to disclose a DUI arrest, it seems best to disclose this information (if at all) after you have been to court. The reason for this is that there are many possible outcomes from the arrest, including a NOT guilty. Therefore, putting yourself in a negative light before going to court may not be the best idea. For example, telling your boss what happened two days later, you retain Bruce Robinson & Associates to defend you and you win your case in court. Now what? The employer has been stewing over the situation for months and now the arrest has gone away. You still look bad in the employers eyes, you could be passed over for promotions or any number of things.

Another possible outcome is going to court and receiving a probation before judgment (PBJ); this is not a conviction on your record and you do not receive the 12 points you would otherwise receive for a DUI conviction in Maryland. So now what do you tell your employer? You were arrested? You were not convicted? They are already pissed to hear you got a DUI and if you drive their cars during work, there could be an issue. http://www.mddwi.com/

The other situation where this plays out is if you have some form of secret clearance with the government. In that situation you may be under an obligation to disclose any form of arrest. If you are under such an obligation then you may have no choice regarding disclosing the arrest. However, how this information is delivered to the boss remains important and thus speaking with an experienced DUI lawyer first is a good idea in order to determine how your case may be resolved in the months to follow.

So, are you going to lose your job because you were arrested for DUI? Well, most likely not. There are those rare circumstances but the bulk of the time you won't. In most cases you may be able to keep your job following a first or second DUI arrest; however things will certainly be getting more serious for a second or third offense. You need to seek legal counsel as quickly as possible. Should you even tell your employer? Unless you are under a legal obligation to do so, you may want to keep that information to yourself until after your court date in order to see how things turn out.

Continue Reading...

Can I be arrested if the cop did not see me drive

Posted On: January 12, 2015 by Bruce M. Robinson

Can you be arrested for DUI in Maryland if the police did not see you driving your car? To evaluate that question, it must be further broken down to were you sitting in the car or were you outside the car when the police arrived?

The easier question concerns if you are outside your car when the police officer arrived. If you are simply outside of your car when the police officer arrived and you are inebriated without more, such as an eyewitness or more commonly, ratting yourself out to the police, the answer would generally be no. The proof required by the state to prove the elements of a DUI charge would generally be inadequate under these circumstances.

The police are quite efficient at applying pressure and asking questions of a suspect in order to get them to hang themselves. The first question from the police officer will be, were you driving this car or "what happened when you were driving this car?" And then typically the defendant engages in a conversation thereby indicating that he was the driver and providing evidence that the state can now use against the driver in court. This is why the Miranda warnings indicate that you are not compelled to give evidence against yourself and that anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Make no mistake, they will use this type of evidence against you and it could be the only evidence the government has to convict you of the charge.

The more complicated question is what if you were sitting in your car, legally parked in a parking lot when the police arrived and uncover the fact that you have been drinking. The answer is in the Atkinson case. This important Maryland Appellate opinion points to several factors that the courts will look to to see if you were "in control" of your car despite the fact that the car can be off at the time the police arrived.

The fact of whether or not you are actually operating your car is not at issue, the only issue is were you in "control" of your car when the police arrived. Factors that the court will look at to determine control of the car are where you were sitting in the car when the police approached, was the engine on, where were the car keys, was the engine warm to the touch, is the car lawfully parked, and were the head lights on. There is no one controlling factor that guides the court but rather a totality of the circumstances when considering all the factors in the Atkinson case.

If you feel as if the operation of a motor vehicle is not in your best interest at a given time it is a very smart idea to pull into a legal parking spot and stay there, remove the keys from the ignition and place them on the passenger seat and climb into the backseat or passenger seat of the car and sleep it off; the same applies if you are using your car as shelter and have no intent on moving the car. This is good for the public interest, it is good for your interest, and from a legal perspective it is a very wise idea. If the police arrived on scene it would be wise to provide them little to no information at all regarding how you came to be at that location. One would, under the circumstances have a very powerful defense to the charge which the police would naturally bring in order to advance their monthly DUI quota.

Continue Reading...

Santa’s Helper Arrested for DUI

The story goes that Santa employs “scout elves” to hide in various places throughout a home during the Christmas season so that they can report back to Santa whether the children of the house have been naughty or nice. One such “Elf on the Shelf,” however, found himself on the naughty list after he was arrested for driving under the influence.

According to New Jersey’s Riverdale police, 23-year-old Brian Chellis was found passed out in a car on December 19th, wearing an Elf on the Shelf costume.

Lt. James Macintosh said Chellis was parked by a Target loading dock with the vehicle’s engine running, lights on, and music blaring. Chellis was asleep at the wheel and wearing a red shirt, red pants, and a white ruffled collar.

According to the arresting officer, Sgt. Pat Harden, Chellis was confused about where he was when he awoke and hand an open can of beer in the car. Harden also indicated that he smelled alcohol in Chellis’s vehicle.

Chellis was eventually released to a family member, but not before failing field sobriety tests. Chellis was issued a summons for DUI, careless driving, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Instead of reporting who was naughty and who was nice, Chellis might want to think about asking Santa for a good DUI attorney this Christmas.

Continue Reading...

Bears’ Tim Jennings arrested for DUI

Chicago Bears’ cornerback Tim Jennings was arrested in in Gwinnett County, Georgia on Wednesday afternoon under charges of speeding, DUI, and reckless driving.

Read more.

Continue Reading...

4 Key Thanksgiving Driving Tips to Prevent Getting Arrested for Los Angeles DUI

Thanksgiving should be a time for celebration, communion, and reconnection with friends and loved ones. However, as we discussed in an adjacent post, the day before the Thanksgiving is also the worst day of the year for Los Angeles DUI arrests and accidents. So how can you protect yourself, your loved ones and other people on the road from injuries (and worse) this holiday? Here are 4 tips.

1.    If you are going to drink, make a plan well in advance of partying.

Studies suggest that once someone is the throe of merrymaking, judgments tend to go out the window. After you have already had two or three drinks is not the time to start to think rationally about how to get home. You need to “pre think” your exit strategy by identifying a designated driver in advance, hiring a taxi cab or just walking from place to place.

2.    Be careful to avoid walking while DUI as well.

Most people assume that if you walk instead of drive after consuming alcohol, you should be fine. However, as authors Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt point out in the book SuperFreakonomics, when you crunch the numbers, walking under the influence is, mile per mile, potentially more even dangerous than driving under the influence. The reason is that, when you make bad decisions as a pedestrian – particularly at night if you are wearing dark clothing — you can easily get seriously hurt or killed. If you are in a car and you get into collision, you at least can hopefully rely on the car’s safety mechanisms, like airbags and seatbelts, to protect you against the worst of the impact. As a pedestrian, you have nothing shielding you.

3.    Pay attention to near misses in the past.

Have you ever gotten into a DUI wreck before? Do you plan to hang out with anyone who has been arrested for that crime or who has gotten into serious injury accidents? The best predictor of future accidents is past driving behavior. Pick up on clues left by the past, so that you can more effectively manage your own behavior and minimize risk. For instance, say your cousin Arnie comes to town and wants to go bar hopping with you. But you know that cousin Arnie has two DUI priors on his record; you might want to aggressively suggest that everyone take a cab.

4.    Organize Thanksgiving events in a way that requires less driving overall.

One of the best ways to prevent problems is to negate temptations altogether. For instance, maybe you and your family typically go out to a restaurant that serves copious amounts of alcohol. Consider changing your plans this year, so that you all stay at someone’s house, so that you are not tempted to drink and then get behind the wheel.

For help dealing with the aftereffects of a crash or arrest, call a qualified Los Angeles DUI attorney with the Kraut Law Group today for a free consultation with a former Deputy District Attorney with nearly two decades of experience fighting on both sides of these types of cases.

If police stopped you for Los Angeles DUI, you may be worried and anxious. Contact Harvard Law School educated, ex-prosecutor Michael Kraut for assistance at (323) 464-6453 or online. Our team is located at 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1480, Los Angeles, California 90028.

Continue Reading...

Will my license be punched when arrested for DUI?

THE DUISEATTLE.COM BLOG : Will my license be punched when arrested for DUI? THE DUISEATTLE.COM BLOG Your Community Resource for DUI and Criminal Traffic Defense in Washington State. Writings of Seattle DUI Lawyer and Seattle Criminal Lawyer W. James Kotlowski. A Discussion of Washington State DUI, Physical Control, Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving, Deferred Prosecution, Department of Licensing and Criminal Traffic Law Issues. 20 years of experience. Call or Text - 206.335.2422 for a Free Consultation. HomeArchivesProfileSubscribe Lawyer Walter Kotlowski | Top Attorney DUI How many days do I have to request a DOL Hearing?Will a DUI probation violation suspend my license?Will my alcohol evaluation be accessible by the public?Am I entitled to an attorney at my DUI Probation Violation Hearing?Is Washington State coming out with a new breath test machine?Will the roadside portable breath test (PBT) at the vehicle be used in my DUI case?Will my license be punched when arrested for DUI?What happens at my 1st DUI Court appearance?How many days do I have to appeal a DOL Decision?How many Jurors will be in my DUI Trial? Search OFFICEContact Information
Law Office of W. James Kotlowski PLLC 1411 Fourth Avenue,Suite 1130Seattle, Washington 98101 Tel: (206) 395-2004james@duiseattle.com www.DUISeattle.com
FREE ONLINE CASE EVALUATION
December 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31       AboutDISCLAIMERPLEASE NOTE:This blog is made available by the lawyer publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog publisher. The linked sites are not under the control of the Law Office of W. James Kotlowski PLLC and the Office is not responsible for the contents of any linked site. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. W. James Kotlowski is licensed to practice law in the State of Washington only.ArchivesDecember 2014November 2014October 2014September 2014August 2014July 2014June 2014May 2014April 2014March 2014More...

Categories20 day hearing notice2012 Boating opening day2013 Boating Under the Influence2nd deferred prosecution60 days ABOUT THE AUTHORAlcohol ReportAlcohol/Drug EvaluationalcoholismArraignmentAttorney FeesBAC LimitBailBail Bond CompanyBail HearingBoating chargesBoating under the influencebreath test machineBreath Test RecordsBUICanadaChanges to the Law Choosing an AttorneyCommunity Serviceconditions of releaseCost of DUICourt CostsCourt ProcessCourt Recordscoverage areaCriminal History (DCH)Current AffairsCustodydeferred prosecutiondeferred sentenceDifferences in JurisdictionDifferent JurisdictionsDOL administrative hearingDOL HearingDOL IssuesDOL SubpoenasDraegerDrivers LicenseDriving TestDUI arrestDUI arrest DUI arrest videoDUI BailDUI BlogsDUI Deferred ProsecutionDUI filingDUI JailDUI newsDUI Payment PlansDUI preventive measuresDUI ProbationDUI Probation violationsDWLS/3EHDEHMEmergency Vehicles Employer ExemptionevidenceExpert Expunge DUIFelony DUIfinesGamesHelpful TipsHiring an attorneyHit & RunIgnition Interlock LicenseIIDIILImmigration ConsequencesIMPOUNDImpound LawInterstate drivers license compactinvestigationJailjurisdictionJurorsJury Trialmental health deferredMissed DOL Hearing NVOLOccupational LicenseOfficeOne a lifetimeonline case evaluationPayment PlansPBTPDRPlea BargainPractical TipsPre-arrestpre-trial hearingsPrescription Drugsprobable cause to arrestProbable Cause to StopProbable Cause to Stop ProbationProbation Probation OfficerProbation ViolationPunched LicensequestionsRALJReckless DrivingReinstate LicenseRelapseRestricted Licenserevoked deferred prosecutionRight to AttorneyRoad BlocksSCRAMSeattle Municipal CourtSentencingSentencing OptionsSOCSOLSPDSpecial Series: DUI 2012 Law ChangesSR-22 InsuranceState ID statementsStatementssuspension period expirestalk to policeTow feesTracking InfractionsTraffic SchoolTravelTravel to CanadaTreatmentVacate DUIVacate recordvideoviolation of conditions or releasewaiveWarrantsWashington State DUI NewsWashington State Ferry WitnessesDUI NewsSCOTUS to hear Colorado DUI blood test case « Hot Air
Video emerges of Texas judge who failed sobriety test and DUI charges dropped | Daily Mail Online

Beer batter led to DUI? 5 craziest crimes of week
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2014/12/11/indiana-judge-resigning-after-dui-clarksville-mickey-weber/20239393/
Judge on trial: Cynthia Imperato's DUI and reckless driving case will be heard by a jury starting Dec. 16 - Sun Sentinel
SEE IT: Texas judge stumbles through DUI sobriety test - NY Daily News
New award recognizes DUI officers doing exceptional work | www.kirotv.com
This victim impact panel is for young people charged with DUI - Chicago Tribune
http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2014/jul/18/summer-kick-dui-patrol-results-released/
WASHINGTON STATE DUI LEGAL RESOURCES AA Meetings
Alcohol Drug Evaluation (Seattle Metro)
Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device
Alcohol/Drug Treatment (Western WA)
Alcohol/Drug Treatment (payment plans available)
Court Date: Seattle Municipal Court
Court Date: Washington State Courts
Criminal Record: Washington State Patrol
DOL Driver License Questions
DOL Driver Licensing forms
Driver License Status: Real Time
DUI Victims Panel
ECR -King County District Court
Ignition Interlock License Application
Insurance SR 22
Issaquah Jail and Inmate Info
King County District Court
King County District Court Online Payments
Lynnwood Municipal Online Payments
Traffic School: NTSI
Vacate Traffic Conviction Record
Vern Fonk Insurance (SR-22)
Warrant? Procedures - King County District Court
Washington Snohomish County Jail Register
Washington State, King County Jail Register
CELEBRITY DUISDetroit Lions' Nick Fairley rejects plea offer in DUI case | AL.com
Yolanda Foster Opens Up About Daughter Bella Hadid's Shocking and Disappointing DUI Arrest | E! Online
Manziel’s bodyguard arrested for DUI, while driving Manziel’s car | ProFootballTalk
Snooki's Husband Jionni LaValle Pleads Guilty to DUI After Wedding - Us Weekly
Rapper Xzibit Arrested for Alleged DUI Shortly After Getting Married - Yahoo
Amanda Bynes pleads no contest to 'wet reckless' in DUI case - latimes.com
Justin Bieber Reportedly Rejects DUI Plea Deal | Celebrity-gossip.net
Justin Bieber DUI Case Update: Plea Deal Rejected | ExtraTV.com
Vikings LB Henderson arrested again for DWI - Yahoo Sports
Motion to dismiss Marshawn Lynch DUI case denied | Seattle Seahawks | The Olympian
DAILY READINGCapitol Hill Times | Serving Capitol Hill and First Hill Since 1926 - Seattle, WA
Dallas Morning News
Front | Tri-City Herald : Mid-Columbia news
Madison Park Times | Serving East-Central Seattle Since 1983 - Seattle, WA
Melbourne Herald Sun
New York Times
Politico.com
Queen Anne & Magnolia News - Seattle, WA
Redmond Reporter - Local News, Sports, Entertainment
Saint John Telegraph Journal
Subscribe to this blog's feedLEGAL REFERENCE Arizona Criminal Lawyer and Phoenix DUI Laws and Criminal Defense
bulk.resource.org
Business.gov - Official Business Link to the U.S. Government
Data.Seattle.Gov | Seattle's Data Site
General Name Change Information
King County Bar Association
Law Dictionary
Legal Research, Casemaker
Oregon Revised Statutes
Oregon State Bar
OTHER LEGAL BLOGS/SITES Avvo Blog
Civl Litigation Attorney
Employment Law Blog
Family Law: Collaborative Divorce (Eastern Washington)
Index of Legal Blogs
Professional Licensing Issues
Real Estate/Estate Planning Attorney
« What happens at my 1st DUI Court appearance? |Main| Will the roadside portable breath test (PBT) at the vehicle be used in my DUI case? »

December 07, 2014 Will my license be punched when arrested for DUI?

No. Washington State Law enforcement officers no longer punch your license when arrested for DUI or Physical Control. The law changed in 2013 doing away with this requirement. 

Posted at 04:58 PM in Practical Tips | Permalink

Reblog (0)

Comments

You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Verify your Comment Previewing your CommentPosted by:  | 

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type: Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Post a comment Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Comment below or sign in with Typepad Facebook TwitterGoogle+and more... You are currently signed in as (nobody). Sign Out (URLs automatically linked.)

Your Information

(Name is required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)

Name is required to post a comment

Please enter a valid email address

Invalid URL

THE DUISEATTLE.COM BLOG Powered by Typepaddocument.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js'%3E%3C/script%3E"));COMSCORE.beacon({ c1: 2, c2: "6035669", c3: "", c4: "http://duiseattleblog.typepad.com/dui_seattle/2014/12/will-my-license-be-punched-when-arrested-for-dui.html", c5: "", c6: "", c15: ""});

Continue Reading...

Cleveland Browns’ Fans Hearts Skip a Beat After Johnny Manziel’s Bodyguard Arrested for DUI

One of the peculiar aspects of Los Angeles DUI cases is that arrests and convictions can touch dozens, even hundreds, of people and organizations.

In other words, a single bad decision made by one driver at a single point in time can propagate and create problems – even huge crises – for many other people. For instance, when a star football player gets in trouble with the law, not only can he and his family suffer legal and monetary consequences, but people not connected with the accident – teammates, fans, people who depend on a football team’s revenue to power local businesses – can also be indirectly impacted.

Consider that concept in light of a recent story out of Cleveland. Browns QB Johnny Manziel’s bodyguard recently got arrested for DUI while driving Manziel’s vehicle. The arrest might not have made national news, had Manziel and his friends not just recently been involved in an altercation with an aggressive fan, who approached the star and his entourage with an attitude that allegedly was “very aggressive” and “very intoxicated.”

Per the quarterback’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, “Johnny and his roommate had been out to dinner earlier in the evening with Johnny’s mother, who was staying with him this week. There was no entourage. Johnny and his roommate were trying to get on the apartment elevator at his home, when they were accosted by a very aggressive man and his associates. It was an unfortunate situation.”

Under certain circumstances, an associate or friend or spouse or a relative can make a mistake — or engage in aggressive or dangerous behavior behind the wheel — that can redound to affect you and your family. To understand your rights and develop an appropriate legal response, connect with an experienced Los Angeles DUI criminal defense attorney, like Michael Kraut of the Kraut Law Group. In addition to serving for nearly 20 years as both as Deputy District Attorney and a defense lawyer, Mr. Kraut regularly appears as a commentator on shows like Good Morning America and newspapers like the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

If police arrested you for Los Angeles DUI, you may feel scared and confused. Contact Harvard Law School educated, ex-prosecutor Michael Kraut for assistance at (323) 464-6453 or online. We’re located at 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1480, Los Angeles, California 90028.

Continue Reading...

Alabama Inmate Arrested for DUI

Home > DUI > Alabama Inmate Arrested for DUI

Any DUI offender faces the potential of criminal charges, and penalties including fines, jail time, and a criminal record. The stakes are even higher for an inmate who busts out of jail on a joyride and then gets caught driving under the influence. After four years on probation, a violation landed an Alabama offender back in the Madison County Detention Facility. While serving out his 90-day-sentence, the offender was given a low security classification, allowing him to work as a class four inmate. This gave the inmate ample opportunities to leave the premises.

According to reports, the inmate was working unsupervised in a fleet shop, remaining available during the evening hours to provide a vehicle to a deputy or fix a broken vehicle. The inmate was also responsible for some maintenance of on-site vehicles, including fixing a tire or performing repairs. County Sheriff’s Office authorities reported that there are over 1,000 inmates in the county who are in the trustee program. Supporters of the program say that there are a number of benefits and incentives, providing work and freedom for inmates, while also saving the county money. Inmates are not paid for the work, but they are provided extra food and tips for washing the vehicles. This also gives inmates the ability to buy additional personal items, including cigarettes, beverages, or snacks.

According to reports, the inmate allegedly took a spare set of keys and went driving in one of the county vehicles. He then bought liquor and “became intoxicated” when a Huntsville police officer pulled him over. Records indicated that the inmate had only one week left to serve before he would have been released. New charges indicate that celebrating early was a big mistake. Now the inmate faces additional charges including DUI, eluding an officer, escape from prison, and 15 additional charges. Police say that conviction on any or all of these charges could result in serious time behind bars.

In the event of a DUI arrest and charge, it is important to have the facts and circumstances of your case reviewed by an experienced attorney. Our Birmingham DUI attorneys are experienced with providing sound counsel and support to individuals who have been arrested and charged. We will review all evidence, including police reports, witness statements, blood alcohol evidence, and other supporting documentation to find weakness in the prosecution’s case. We will work to defeat or reduce criminal charges and ensure that you are not over-penalized in the event of a conviction.

In Alabama and nationwide, there are some individuals who could face even more severe charges and penalties when pulled over. If you have been convicted of a DUI in the past, you are driving on a suspended license, driving with a minor, or are involved in an accident, the charges and penalties you face will be more severe. All of these aggravated circumstances will ramp up the criminal charges and potential penalties. While any individual arrested and charged with DUI should consult with an experienced advocate, those involved with more severe offenses are especially in need of counsel.

More Blog Entries:
Report: Diabetic Shock Mistaken for DUI by Police, Aug. 3, 2013, Jefferson County DUI Lawyer Blog

Birmingham DUI Arrests Spike During Football Season, Aug. 11, 2013, Jefferson County DUI Defense Lawyer Blog

Continue Reading...

Chicago Driver Arrested After Trying to Bribe his way out of DUI

By guest-writer

A Chicago driver made life a bit more difficult for himself after he made an unsuccessful attempt to bribe his way out of a DUI arrest, according to a recent report from the Chicago Tribune.

Of course, trying to bribe the police officer may not have been the dumbest move Martin Johnson made on that fateful night.

Sources say that Johnson was arrested after allegedly speeding past a police station while under the influence of alcohol. When police finally caught up to his car, a brief search of the vehicle revealed that Johnson had an open bottle of liquor in the front seat.

Then things got really interesting. According to the police report, after the police pulled him over, Johnson said, “I’ll give you $5,000 if you’ll let me go.”

In response, one of the officers asked Johnson where he planned to get the money, at which point he handed over a flash drive and told the police officers to look into it.

When the police later went through the flash drive, they were surprised to discover extensive lists of credit card numbers, Social Security identities, and other types of sensitive financial information.

When the police asked Johnson where he had obtained the information, he finally made a wise choice, and simply told them to “talk to my lawyer.”

For his actions, Johnson will be charged with one count of bribery, one count of driving under the influence, and another county of driving on a revoked license.

Remarkably, Johnson has been arrested eight times since 2001 for driving with a revoked license, so he may be facing an eventual permanent driving ban if he finds the right judge.

In addition, Johnson has also been arrested for a DUI three times before. These arrests occurred in 2001, 2003, and 2006, according to a spokesman for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

And Johnson could face further charges stemming from his possession of all the financial information on the flash drive, although police authorities have not yet decided what they will charge him with.

The lesson other drivers can learn from Johnson’s mishap is that, if you are arrested for a DUI, it’s in your best interests to simply be a good sport and not give the police officers any trouble.

Attempts to bribe the police or escape from them altogether almost never have happy endings, and only compound the legal troubles that the arrestee will eventually face.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

Adult Film Star Jenna Jameson Arrested Under Suspicion of DUI

Former Adult film Star Jenna Jameson was arrested early Friday morning under suspicion of California driving under the influence (DUI). Police were called to the scene in Westminster, California after Jameson reportedly crashed her Range Rover SUV into a light post. Jameson suffered minor injuries, but refused medical treatment.

Police officers reportedly administered DUI field sobriety tests (FST's), where she allegedly shown signs of intoxication. Jameson was subsequently taken into custody. Jameson, who is primarily known for her work in adult films, was cited and released Friday morning. No breath or blood test results have been released.

It is not clear what FST’s Jameson performed, but FST’s are administered by police to help build their case against the person under investigation of DUI. FST’s are commonly very flawed and unreliable indicators of actual intoxication. A variety of factors including (but not limited to):
poor lighting;
inclement weather;
unstable footwear;
distraction of traffic, lights, or spectators; and/or
uneven surface conditions

can cause an otherwise sober person to perform poorly on FST’s. While all the circumstances surrounding Jameson’s DUI arrest are not clear, an arrest following the administration of FST’s is far from an indication of guilt. Thus it is important to consult with an experienced DUI attorney if you are arrested for DUI based on failing FST’s.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones Arrested for Drunk Driving

By guest-writer

Jon Jones, one of the most successful mixed martial arts fighters in the UFC, was reportedly arrested last week for a DUI after slamming his 2012 Bentley Continental GT into a telephone pole in Binghamton, New York, according to a report from Yahoo! Sports.

Sources say that Jones was arrested at 5:02 a.m. on a Saturday morning after slamming his car into a telephone pole at a Binghamton intersection. There is no word on whether Jones, who is a resident of Ithaca, New York, suffered an injury in the accident.

After his arrest, Jones was charged with a DUI, and he was released to his family after paying an appearance bond.

Until his trial, observers can only speculate about the potential consequences of Jones’ DUI arrest, but sources say that he has had a “squeaky clean image” until this incident, so a judge may have some mercy if he is a first-time offender.

In the meantime, the UFC will sweat over the potential loss of one of its brightest, and most marketable, stars. In a sport that is desperate for good publicity, Jones has been a bright spot, appearing in Bud Lite commercials and flirting with a potential sponsorship with Nike.

Sources say that, in addition to his development into a dominant heavyweight fighter, Jones has also become a huge star at the box office, helping lure fans to UFC events and television viewers to tune into pay-per-view events.

During his last fight, Jones reportedly sold more than 700,000 different units, which represents a big success for UFC’s television numbers. In addition, the fight drew more than 15,000 fans, which helped the UFC net more than $2 million in ticket proceeds.

Before Jones’ ascent to the top of the UFC, previous fighters sullied the league’s reputation with their actions outside the ring.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, for example, was a former UFC champion whose reputation took a hit after he was charged with a hit-and-run felony and reckless driving in California in 2008.

Still, it appears that the UFC will give Jones every opportunity to rehabilitate his public image after he is sentenced for his DUI, which may include a fine, a temporary suspension of his license, or a brief jail sentence.

Sources say that, after the retirement of former stars like Brock Lesnar, Chuck Liddell, and Randy Couture, the UFC is concerned about preserving its biggest current star, which is good news for Jones, especially if his judge is a fan of mixed martial arts.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

New Jersey Driver Arrested for an Incredible Fifth DUI in Four Weeks

By guest-writer

A New Jersey man who had already been caught drunk driving four times in the last month was recently arrested for his fifth DUI in the past four weeks, according to a report from NBC 10 Philadelphia.

The DUI arrests all took place in and around Vineland, New Jersey, where 45-year-old Anderson Sotomayor apparently roams the streets in varying states of inebriation.

Sources indicate that Sotomayor was arrested for driving drunk three times in a span of only 16 days. These arrests took place on April 9, 11, and 25.

The latest incident took place this Saturday after police observed Sotomayor driving the wrong way down a one-way street. During his ill-advised journey, Sotomayor eventually struck a curb and careened off the road.

Unfortunately, the trip down a one-way street was not the most foolish drunk driving incident Sotomayor has created in the past few weeks.

On April 25, police in Vineland pulled Sotomayor over after they saw him swerving in and out of traffic while holding an open 40-ounce bottle of beer. This, of course, is a recipe for a legal and personal disaster.

And, on April 2, Sotomayor allegedly swerved around a school bus while it was unloading children, ran a red light, and slammed into another car. To make matters worse, the man fled from the scene of the accident, leaving a 31-year-old woman who later had to be treated at a hospital.

Police were able to locate Sotomayor after finding his handicap tag at the scene of the crime, and later tracking that tag to Sotomayor’s address, according to a report from the Daily Journal.

Readers might be curious how, exactly, Sotomayor was able to continue driving despite his frequent arrests. Sources suggest that Vineland police weren’t able to hold the man beyond a certain period of time, though no further details are available.

After each of his DUI arrests, it can fairly be assumed that Sotomayor was released on bail, so the judge in his latest case might try to set bail at an extraordinarily high level to prevent Sotomayor from getting back on the road before his trial.

The man is scheduled to make a court appearance for his first three DUIs on May 30. Until then, the court will likely try to detain Sotomayor as long as possible, but if he is released, drivers on Vineland roads should be wary of the serial drunk driver.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

‘Scarface’ Actor Who Played Tony Montana’s Henchman Arrested for DUI

By guest-writer

Angel Salazar, the actor who played Tony Montana’s cocaine-fetching friend Chi Chi in the iconic gangster film, “Scarface,” was reportedly arrested for a DUI last week in Brooklyn, according to a report from TMZ.com.

A police report indicates that Salazar was seen swerving through traffic in his 1999 Volvo just after midnight last Thursday night. When police pulled him over, they discovered that he appeared to be intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol.

After he was taken to the police station, Salazar took a took a breathalyzer test and his blood alcohol level registered as a .121, which is significantly higher than the legal limit of .08.

After blowing a .121, Salazar was immediately arrested and was booked in a New York jail on three separate counts of driving under the influence.

There is a bit of irony to Salazar’s arrest, as the character he is most famous for spent most of the “Scarface” film eluding police by performing a series of increasingly illegal (and dangerous) errands.

Of course, in the film, his character meets an untimely end at the hands of a drug rival, so the ending to his real-life brush with the law will be much more pleasant, although it could still lead to a heavy fine, jail time, or a suspended license.

Interestingly, in an interview with TMZ, Salazar admitted to drinking on the night he was arrested, but he claims that he believed he was sober enough to drive.

And, in his interview, Salazar does nothing to dispel the myth (or reality?) that police and other members of the criminal justice system are just as susceptible to the cult of celebrity as the rest of us.

According to Salazar, he believed he might be able to get off with a simple warning after one of the responding officers recognized him from “Scarface” and pulled up the actor’s picture on his cell phone.

The officer’s alleged interest in the celebrity, however, did not get Salazar off the hook, as the actor is currently out on bail and still awaiting his court date for his three DUI charges.

So, if nothing else, this incident could help assuage the concerns of a public that is wary of celebrities receiving preferential treatment from police officers and judges alike.

After all, if one of Tony Montana’s most lethal lieutenants cannot avoid the long arm of the law, then other celebrities will likely also receive fair treatment under DUI laws, as long as the responding officers are as impervious to celebrity as these noble officials.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

Celebrity DUI: Bobby Brown Arrested for DUI

Another Celebrity DUI Arrest… WHITNEY HOUSTON‘s ex-husband BOBBY BROWN has just been arrested for DUI, according to the latest celebrity news

Valley Municipal Building in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to reports, Whitney Houston’s former hubby was pulled over in Reseda, California earlier today for talking on his cell phone while driving. However, the cops soon found out that Brown was actually drunk, with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher.

Brown was immediately arrested for driving under the influence and taken to the Van Nuys jail.

He was bailed out after about two hours.  If you have any questions about Los Angeles DUI cases, call us at (877) 568-2977 anytime.

Tags
Arrest, BobbyBrown, California, Driving under the influence, dui, los angeles dui lawyers, Mobile phone, Reseda Los Angeles, Van Nuys Los Angeles, Whitney Houston

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 1st, 2012 at 1:45 am and is filed under Celebrity DUI. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

Hapless Florida Man Arrested for Drunk Driving in his Front Yard

By guest-writer

Thousands of people are arrested for DUI charges every day, but most of these arrests happen on highways and other public streets. Few DUI arrests are made in the privacy of one’s own home.

One Florida man, however, bucked this trend after he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol when police found him repeatedly backing his truck into trees in his own front yard, according to a remarkable report from WJXT Jacksonville.

Sources indicate that Dennis Jones, a 57-year-old resident of Paisley, Florida, was charged with drunk driving after an unsuccessful attempt to back out of his driveway.

According to the police report, Jones was trying to back out of his driveway last Tuesday morning around 10 a.m. when his efforts went horribly awry.

While backing out of a driveway does pose some occasional challenges, Jones took these difficulties to a new extreme as he spent at least 15 minutes trying to escape his front yard by ramming into trees and spinning his tires in dirt.

Neighbors who called police to report the odd behavior told dispatchers that Jones smashed into trees, dug his truck into a hole, and repeatedly spun his tires in a manner that slung dirt into a neighbor’s yard.

When police officers arrived on the scene, they claim that Jones had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, was slurring his speech, and somehow was missing a lens in his eyeglasses.

In an effort to ease the authorities’ minds, Jones curiously tried to defend himself by claiming that he had imbibed “less than one pint of vodka” that morning, according to the police report.

In one of the most predictable field sobriety tests in the history of modern jurisprudence, Jones failed to prove to police that he was sufficiently sober to drive, and he was unceremoniously taken into police custody, where he could do no further damage to his own trees.

Less than an hour after his arrest, police administered a breathalyzer test to the hapless driver, and he blew a staggering .242, which is more than three times the legal limit.

Some curious readers might wonder if Jones will be able to argue his way out of a DUI conviction because his driving took place within the confines of his own yard. This argument, however, is not likely to hold sway, as the man was clearly a danger to himself and others, especially if he had been able to successfully maneuver his way out of his own yard.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

Son of Famous American Televangelist Arrested

January 25th, 2012 Allen Trapp Posted in Top 50 DUI Arrests of All-Time, DUI Arrests That Made the News |

     Richard Roberts, former president of Tulsa’s Oral Roberts University and son of the the man who founded the school and spoke to millions on his Sunday morning program for decdades, was arrested early on morning of January 24, 2012, on suspicion of DUI and speeding, officials told The Times.

     Shortly after midnight an Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer stopped Roberts, who was reportedly driving a black 2006 Mercedes at 93 mph in a 65 mph zone on a highway west of U.S. 169, according to the arrest report.  After stopping Roberts, 63, the trooper noted that he smelled strongly of alcohol.  Roberts allegedly failed two coordination tests and his breath test result was .11.  Roberts was booked into the Tulsa jail and released a few hours later on $1,100 bail, officials told The Times.

     He resigned as president of Oral Roberts Universityin 2007 after he and his family were accused of abusing university and ministry assets.  Later he was named President Emeritus.  All ORU employees are required to sign a pledge to avoid consuming any alcoholic beverages.
Written by Allen Trapp who is board certified by the National College for DUI Defense and the author of Georgia DUI Survival Guide Visit Website

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

Man in Incriminating Shirt Arrested for DUI

By guest-writer

When most people are pulled over for a DUI, they do not have any text on their clothing announcing the fact that they are drunk. Usually, police must use context clues and modern technology to determine if a driver is inebriated.

A recent driver on Long Island in New York, though, made the arresting officer’s job much easier by wearing a t-shirt saying “I’m a drunk” during his DUI arrest.

In a story that is sure to induce eye-rolling and head-slapping from knowing readers, Kevin Daly was faced with an awkward situation when he was arrested under suspicion of a DUI while wearing a t-shirt proclaiming his guilt.

According to a report from the New Jersey Star-Ledger, the t-shirt’s primary slogan was printed in bold letters and was surrounded by the equally incriminating claim that “I’m not an alcoholic … alcoholics go to meetings.”

Depending on the result of his DUI sentencing, Daly may soon have an opportunity to prove his t-shirt false, as mandatory alcohol counseling for former drunk drivers is a common DUI law in many U.S. states.

Sources indicate that Daly’s arrest was embarrassing for reasons other than the poor clothing selection, as well. The police report claims that Daly slammed his 2000 Saturn into a parked police cruiser around 1:45 a.m. on a Thursday morning.

The police cruiser was parked on the side of the highway to catch drunk drivers. In this situation, the arresting officer was spared the expense of having to chase the suspect, although the police department was probably displeased with having to repair the beat-up cruiser.

Fortunately, though, the police officer who was in the car was not seriously injured, but he was taken to the hospital for treatment for minor wounds.

In his initial hearing, Daly was charged with driving while intoxicated and, perhaps not surprisingly, was served with several summonses for unresolved traffic incidents.

It is fair to assume that, at his trial, Daly will be encouraged by his DUI lawyer to wear something a bit more practical, like a suit and tie, or anything without the words “I’m a drunk” printed clearly on the front.

The possible consequences Daly will face at trial depend on whether this is his first DUI offense, as well as other circumstances of the case. In many DUI decisions, offenders must relinquish their license, serve some jail time, or pay a hefty fine.

Cases in which DUI drivers injure other people, or cause serious property damage, usually see harsher sentences. In addition, repeat DUI offenders typically face more severe punishments than people who have committed their first DUI offense.

And, it should be noted that each state has a unique set of DUI laws, and some states are much stricter than others. Despite these variations, though, there has been a national trend in recent years to create stronger DUI laws.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

Miami Cop Arrested for DUI While Driving Patrol Car

By guest-writer

When police officers are arrested for a DUI, they usually face more scrutiny than the average citizen who is caught driving drunk, and a recent incident in Miami, Florida serves as no exception.

According to the Miami Herald, 32-year-old Fernando Villa, a veteran officer in the Miami-Dade County police force, was discovered by his colleagues while off duty passed out in his patrol car in the middle of an intersection.

While this story is shocking enough, local officials are also disappointed by the actions of the arresting officers, who did not place Villa in jail after the incident. Their actions have spawned an internal investigation into the matter.

Sources indicate that another Miami police officer discovered Villa’s patrol car idling in the middle of an intersection around 8:20 p.m. on a Tuesday evening. The officer discovered Villa drunk and passed out in the driver’s seat of the idling car.

Upon discovering his inebriated colleague, the officer on the scene contacted his superiors for orders on how to handle the situation. According to the man he called, Police Director Jim Loftus, the officer was instructed to treat Villa “like everyone else.”

Typically, of course, someone accused of drunk driving is taken to jail and booked for the offense. Rarely are drunk drivers simply given warnings by police and allowed to casually drive home. In fact, under Florida law, drivers are released with a promise to appear in court only for low-level, or misdemeanor, DUI offenses.

Contrary to usual police policy, though, the officer who initially arrested Villa did not book the drunk driver, nor did he take him to jail. Instead, Villa signed a form promising that he would appear in court and he was allowed to go home, despite the fact that his offense was probably not a low-level DUI.

This action has drawn a considerable amount of scrutiny from local press, and in response to a public outcry, the Miami-Dade police department’s bureau of internal affairs has launched an investigation into the matter.

Again, the police director Jim Loftus maintains that he instructed the arresting officer to arrest and book Villa, without giving him any special treatment. Somewhere along the line, however, an office disobeyed this order and gave Villa special treatment.

According to Loftus, the police department plans to discover the identity of the “person or persons” who refused to follow their superior’s official advice, and “hold them accountable.”

Thus, it looks like a simple act by one police officer to offer special treatment to his colleague may prove to be very costly for the officer’s career.

Of course, Villa’s career is almost certainly in deeper trouble. Sources indicate that the officer has been relieved of his duties without pay while the police department completes its investigation into the matter

View the original article here

Continue Reading...

Braves Star Arrested for DUI

April 30th, 2011 Allen Trapp Posted in Top 50 DUI Arrests of All-Time, Current Events, DUI Arrests That Made the News, Uncategorized |

      Braves pitcher Derek Lowe was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol within days after pitching coach Roger McDowell was accused of making anti-homosexual comments before a game in San Francisco last weekend.  Gordy Wright, a spokesman for the Georgia State Patrol, said a trooper stopped Lowe’s vehicle about 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 28th, on an Atlanta street. The trooper detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and administered a “field sobriety test,” which resulted in Lowe’s arrest.  Initial reports failed to identify the nature of this test, but additional information should be forthcoming. 

     The 37-year-old right-hander was charged with DUI, reckless driving and improper lane change, according to the Georgia State Patrol.  Lowe declined to take a breath test before he was released, and the officer did not attempt to obtain a search warrant for a blood best, although he could have done so under state law.  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Lowe was allegedly racing another vehicle when he was pulled over.

Written by Allen Trapp who is board certified by the National College for DUI Defense and the author of Georgia DUI Survival Guide Visit Website

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

View the original article here

Continue Reading...