Showing posts with label Super. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super. Show all posts

February 18, 2015

Super Bowl DUI Arrests Include Former Moesha TV Actor

Los Angeles DUI attorneys continue to review the aftermath of DUI cases from Super Bowl Sunday, which, as we’ve reported in the past, has one of the highest rates of DUI driving in the country. (Other dangerous days, from a DUI point of view, include New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day.)Marcus-Paulk-DUI

Early in the morning on Feb. 1, police arrested Marcus Paulk for driving under the influence and marijuana possession. Formerly, Paulk performed on Moesha, a television show that aired from 1996-2001. An officer conducted a traffic stop after observing Paulk’s vehicle allegedly driving too close to emergency vehicles parked on the side of the road.

The arresting officer noticed the scent of alcohol and the smell marijuana emanating from the former child star’s pockets. Paulk’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level tested at 0.109% at the time of arrest. He readily admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana before driving.

Many people assume that fame and celebrity encourage positive outcomes in court; however, the truth is that the factors affecting each DUI case are different for everyone. Securing legal advice is the best course of action to evaluate your circumstances.

An officer needs probable cause before stopping you, and you must engage in some sort of traffic violation. Driving erratically or within dangerous proximity to a parked vehicle (Paulk’s case) could lead to a traffic stop. Additionally, failure to make a complete stop or inoperable lights on your vehicle creates suspicion and justifies traffic stops.

When stopped, it is important to remember that all tests administered are voluntary. If you refuse to take an alcohol-screening test, make it clear that you prefer a blood test. On-site breathalyzer and field sobriety test results are unreliable, and they may serve as evidence against you.

Respond strategically to your arrest and charges by calling a former Senior Deputy D.A. and highly successful Los Angeles DUI defense attorney with the Kraut Law Group today for a complimentary consultation.

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.

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February 16, 2015

Fans Can Tackle Drunk Driving on Super Bowl Sunday

SuperBowl-800

In 2014, nearly half of all American households watched the Super Bowl. This Sunday’s big game is expected to draw a similar number of viewers, and as friends and family gather to watch, alcohol will be a staple of many celebrations.

Police around the country report that drunk driving arrests and alcohol-involved crashes spike on Super Bowl Sunday. For example, California law enforcement historically sees a 77% increase in drunk driving crashes on the big day in comparison to regular Sundays. As a result, many jurisdictions plan to ramp up DUI patrols and checkpoints this weekend.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched its annual “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” campaign to get the word out about the dangers of drunk driving during and after the Super Bowl. In addition, NHTSA has created some tips to help fans end the night safely:

Before Super Bowl Sunday, make a game plan that includes a sober driver – someone who is not drinking at all.Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.Thank the designated sober drivers at your party. You could even acknowledge them on social media using the hashtag #designateddriver.Remember, if you serve a guest alcohol and he or she gets in a drunk-driving crash that night, you could be held liable.

What are you doing to intercept drunk driving during and after the Super Bowl?

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February 15, 2015

Extra DUI Patrols In Marin For Super Bowl Weekend

Extra DUI Patrols In Marin For Super Bowl Weekend - Marin DUI Lawyer Blog Marin DUI Lawyer Blog Published by Marin, California DUI Attorney Law Office of John Stanko, Inc. HomeFirm WebsitePractice AreasContact Us « Previous | Home | Next » Extra DUI Patrols In Marin For Super Bowl Weekend |Share January 30, 2015

The multi police agency DUI enforcement team, "Avoid the Marin 13" will be putting extra officer out this weekend to look for drunk drivers. Football fans on Super Bowl Sunday had better not drink and drive as the police will be on heightened alert.

Police officers encourage people to not drink and drive. If you chose to drink then arrange for a designated driver or a safe ride home. An arrest for a DUI starts a long and expensive process that can result in the automatic administrative suspension of a person's driving privilege, probation, fines, possible jail time and mandatory attendance at a DUI school. The length of the DUI school depends on a person's blood alcohol level and whether they have any prior convictions. There is only one DUI school in Marin County, in San Rafael.

If you are arrested for drunk driving, or if you get a traffic ticket in Novato, San Rafael, Sausalito, or anywhere in Marin County call an experienced aggressive traffic ticket and DUI defense attorney for help.

For more information about driving under the influence, traffic or criminal charges in Marin County, San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area, or for a free consultation, call attorney John Stanko at 415-755-8899, or toll free at 1-877-204-8900.

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Posted In: DUI

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Jan 31, 15 04:32 PMSonoma County DUI Enforcement Increased for Super Bowl Sonoma County law enforcement agencies will be sending out extra patrols to look for intoxicated...

Jan 30, 15 04:41 PMExtra DUI Patrols In Marin For Super Bowl Weekend The multi police agency DUI enforcement team, "Avoid the Marin 13" will be putting extra...

Dec 16, 14 10:22 AMHoliday DUI Checkpoints Planed in San Rafael The City of San Rafael Police Department will be conducting drunk driving checkpoints and special...

Dec 14, 14 09:56 AMNovember 2014 Bay Area Traffic Court Results LAW OFFICE OF JOHN STANKO, Inc. ________________________________________ TRAFFIC COURT RESULTS October 2014 COURT CHARGE RESULT...

Dec 13, 14 09:53 AMOctober 2014 Traffic Court Results LAW OFFICE OF JOHN STANKO, Inc. ________________________________________ TRAFFIC COURT RESULTS October 2014 COURT CHARGE RESULT...

Dec 12, 14 09:50 AMSeptember Traffic Court Results LAW OFFICE OF JOHN STANKO, Inc. ________________________________________ TRAFFIC COURT RESULTS September 2014 COURT CHARGE RESULT...

   4040 Civic Center Dr #200
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: 415-755-8899
Toll Free: 877-204-8900
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Phone: 707-642-8900 Home Website Disclaimer Contact Us Website Map Blog Posts Copyright © Marin DUI Lawyer Blog Justia Legal Website Design  
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Sonoma County DUI Enforcement Increased for Super Bowl

Sonoma County DUI Enforcement Increased for Super Bowl - Marin DUI Lawyer Blog Marin DUI Lawyer Blog Published by Marin, California DUI Attorney Law Office of John Stanko, Inc. HomeFirm WebsitePractice AreasContact Us « Previous | Home | Next » Sonoma County DUI Enforcement Increased for Super Bowl |Share January 31, 2015

Sonoma County law enforcement agencies will be sending out extra patrols to look for intoxicated drivers on Super Sunday. These special patrols are solely used to look for drunk drivers and to make DUI arrests.

The Santa Rosa-area CHP, Santa Rosa and Petaluma police departments are all involved in these extra patrols. Funding for this drunk driving enforcement is coming from a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via the California's Office of Traffic Safety.

If you receive a speeding ticket, cell phone ticket, DUI or other traffic related offense in on a Petaluma, Rhonert Park, Novato, San Rafael or anywhere in Northern California, call an experienced aggressive traffic ticket and DUI attorney for help.

For more information about traffic ticket and drunk driving defense in Sonoma or Marin Counties and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, or for a free consultation, call Sonoma County DUI and traffic attorney John Stanko at 415-755-8899, or toll free at 1-877-204-8900.

Categories: DUI Posted by John Stanko | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: DUI

Contact Us 415-755-8899 Name: Email: Phone: Comments: Enter text from the Image Above: Search Connect FacebookTwitterJustia ProfileRSS Feed Topics DUI (102) DUI Checkpoints (45) Celebrity DUI (2) DUI Field Sobriety Tests (16) Ignition Interlock Device (11) DUI Trials (2) DUI Program (24) Felony (6) Dry Reckless (1) DMV Administrative Hearings (10) Suspended Driver's License (51) Negligent Operator (4) San Francisco DMV DUI suspension (1) Oakland DMV license suspension (1) Santa Rosa DMV license suspension (1) Traffic Ticket Defense (32) Red Light Camera Tickets (11) Speeding Tickets (23) Hit and Run (1) Cell Phone and Texting Tickets (2) Criminal Defense (12) Sex Offenses (1) Assault and Battery (6) Batter on a Police Officer Battery on a Police Officer (2) Marijuana (2) Drunk in Public (1) Vandalism (1) Theft Crimes (5) Felony (8) Drug Possession (6) Child Endangerment (5) Domestic Violence (2) Evading a Police Officer (2) Trespassing (1) Resisting Arrest (2) Conspiracy (2) Embezzlement (1) Misdemeanor (5) Domestic Violence (1) Car Theft (2) Probation Violation (3) Felony (4) Drug Possession (2) Child Endangerment (1) Probation (8) Evading a Police Officer (1) NHTSA (7) Robbery (1) Drug Crimes (3) Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance (1) Speed Trap (1) Recent Entries

Feb 4, 15 11:31 AMOne Sonoma CHP Officer Gets Two DUI Drivers on 101 Sonoma County CHP Officer Mike Phennecie arrested two drivers within a matter of hours on...

Jan 31, 15 04:32 PMSonoma County DUI Enforcement Increased for Super Bowl Sonoma County law enforcement agencies will be sending out extra patrols to look for intoxicated...

Jan 30, 15 04:41 PMExtra DUI Patrols In Marin For Super Bowl Weekend The multi police agency DUI enforcement team, "Avoid the Marin 13" will be putting extra...

Dec 16, 14 10:22 AMHoliday DUI Checkpoints Planed in San Rafael The City of San Rafael Police Department will be conducting drunk driving checkpoints and special...

Dec 14, 14 09:56 AMNovember 2014 Bay Area Traffic Court Results LAW OFFICE OF JOHN STANKO, Inc. ________________________________________ TRAFFIC COURT RESULTS October 2014 COURT CHARGE RESULT...

Dec 13, 14 09:53 AMOctober 2014 Traffic Court Results LAW OFFICE OF JOHN STANKO, Inc. ________________________________________ TRAFFIC COURT RESULTS October 2014 COURT CHARGE RESULT...

   4040 Civic Center Dr #200
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: 415-755-8899
Toll Free: 877-204-8900
Fax: 415-532-1436
Phone: 707-642-8900 Home Website Disclaimer Contact Us Website Map Blog Posts Copyright © Marin DUI Lawyer Blog Justia Legal Website Design  
Continue Reading...

Super Bowl Sunday: fewer DUIs in Minnesota than previous years

Super Bowl Sunday is an unofficial holiday here in the United States, and as a result, many people take the liberty of enjoying some beers during the biggest football game on the planet. Unfortunately, this can lead to some unfortunate events during Super Bowl Sunday, such as people consuming alcohol and then getting behind the wheel of a car.

In past years in Minnesota, the DUI numbers have not been pretty on Super Bowl Sunday. For example, since 2010, an average of 190 people have been arrested for drinking and driving on Super Bowl Sunday. However, this year it was a much different story.

Only 65 people were arrested for driving under the influence on Super Bowl Sunday, a marked decline from the average numbers posted since 2010. It's also part of a fantastic trend in the state of Minnesota regarding drunk driving overall. 2014 saw about 1,500 fewer DUI arrests than 2013. Public awareness campaigns and the reception by our state's great citizens has led to a dramatic drop in the number of drunk driving cases.

And yet, no amount of public awareness or public knowledge will ever truly eliminate drunk driving from our state. There will always be mistakes made by people who simply have a little too much to drink, think they are okay to drive, and then do so.

While acknowledging this reality, it's also important to acknowledge that people who are accused of drunk driving have rights, and that they are innocent until proven guilty. 

Source: WCCO, "Super Bowl Drunk Driving Arrests Down Significantly In Minnesota," Feb. 2, 2015

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February 14, 2015

The Top Ten Ways to Avoid a DUI on Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday is known to be one of the biggest drinking nights of the year.  Many people attending Super Bowl parties will start drinking early in the day.  If you plan on celebrating the win or even the loss of your favorite team, here are some of the myths to keep in mind about drinking and driving.  Knowing about them might help you avoid starting the year with a drunken driving arrest.

“Don’t kid yourself,” said Birmingham, Michigan-based DUI attorney Patrick Barone. “If you have too much to drink before you drive, you’re putting yourself at risk for being arrested, or even worse — for hurting yourself or someone else on the roads.”

Here is a countdown of common misconceptions about drinking and driving:

 I’ll eat a lot while I drink. Super Bowl Sunday is known for its creative and usually high fat finger foods. While having some food in your stomach does help slow alcohol absorption, you will still become intoxicated if you drink enough. I planned ahead and have a designated driver. That’s all well and good, but make sure your designated driving doesn’t get swept up in the game. Before you count on the designated driver to get you both home safely, be sure that your driver is on-board and will abstain completely from drinking. I’ll stop drinking before the game ends. The truth is that alcohol continues to affect you for hours after you’ve put down your last glass. You may actually be MORE intoxicated an hour after you stop drinking than you were when you finished your last cocktail. I only had one glass. While one glass of wine with dinner may not deliver enough alcohol to impair your driving, drinks come in many sizes and strengths. So “just one drink” may have been a glass of wine that is twice a single five-ounce serving of alcohol, or may have three shots of alcohol instead of just one. I’m an excellent drunk driver. No. You only THINK you’re an excellent drunk driver. With as little as 0.02 percent blood alcohol concentration, there may be subtle effects on things like your judgment and vision. By the time you reach the legal limit of 0.08 percent, your reasoning, concentration and perceptions are likely impaired enough to make you unsafe behind the wheel. I don’t feel drunk. Just because you’re not stumbling or slurring your words, that doesn’t mean you’re safe to drive. Long before the visible signs of inebriation set in, your coordination and reflexes are beginning to slow down. I’ll just stick to beer. Great. But that’s still alcohol. It doesn’t matter if you’ve had one shot of liquor, five ounces of wine, or one 12-ounce beer. Alcohol is alcohol. I’ll be fine; I’m not driving far. It doesn’t matter how short the distance is. Drunk is drunk, whether you’re driving 20 miles, or 200 yards. But I blew into this portable breathalyzer thingie and it says I’m OK. Don’t count on gimmicky gadgets to keep you safe. If you bought that breath tester for $100 (or often far less), it’s not nearly accurate enough to measure your blood alcohol content. If it was a gag gift, keep in mind, it’s just that: an entertaining gag gift. The same goes for pills or potions or tricks, such as drinking mouthwash or sucking on a penny, that allege to stop alcohol absorption or skew tests of breath tests in your favor. They just don’t work. Coffee sobers me up. Actually, coffee only helps with drowsiness. You may feel less sleepy, but your judgment and coordination may be impaired. Also, things like exercise and cold showers don’t help. There is nothing that will affect the rate at which your liver processes alcohol.

Barone said that there are few sure-fire ways to be sure you won’t be arrested for driving drunk: Don’t drink or don’t drive. That means staying put, calling a cab or having (or being) a sober designated driver.

“Super Bowl Sunday is a night when we love to get together with friends to enjoy and exciting game and watch funny” Barone said. “An accident or a DUI arrest are not the ways you end a great party.”

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February 11, 2015

Super Bowl Sunday Drunk Driving

It might be safe to say that Super Bowl Sunday is America’s unofficial holiday. The Seahawks and the Patriots will be battling it out for the title of Super Bowl XLIX champion. However, outside of the living rooms, man-caves, and bars, law enforcement will be doing its own battle and the rival is drunk drivers… with good reason.

According to California safety officials and the Auto Club of Southern California, your chances of being involved in an alcohol-related collision can double on Super Bowl Sunday. In fact, a review of data in California revealed a 77 percent increase in alcohol-related collision causing injury or death on this unofficial holiday.

The analysis of the data reviewed alcohol-related injury and fatal collisions that occurred from 5pm on Super Bowl Sunday through 4am the following day from 2009 to 2013. The data was compared against other Sundays in January and February for the same timeframes.

California saw 294 alcohol-related injury and fatal collisions during the Super Bowl Sunday timeframe from 2009 to 2013. However, other Sundays in January and February only saw 166 alcohol-related injury and fatal collisions during the same time for the same years.

Los Angeles County saw 77 alcohol-related injury and fatal collisions during Super Bowl Sundays in those years. Other Sundays in January and February during those years only saw 49.

Although Super Bowl may not be an official holiday, my advice remains the same:

Plan to take a cab, Uber, Lyft, but or other method of public transportation. Get yourself a designated driver and make sure that they, in fact, remain sober.

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February 9, 2015

PA Police to be out in full force on Super Bowl Sunday

maxresdefaultAs with any other holiday, you can expect an increased presence from police on Super Bowl Sunday.  That means extra roving patrols and DUI checkpoints.

While many of us will be out and about enjoying time with our family and friends,  police will be out in full force stopping us at DUI roadblocks with no articuable and individualized probable cause. Many states have found such roadblocks to be per se unreasonable.  These “checkpoints” are becoming more and more intrusive and we have all seen the videos of some police who cross the line and abuse the tenuous grant of authority.

We know that these “checkpoints” are not efficient. They are not statistically justified. And roving patrols use least resources with more effectiveness with a better chance of getting at the true danger: impaired driving.

In our opinion and the opinion held by many, these “checkpoints” are based upon faulty interpretation of the 4th Amendment and Article I Section 8 of the Declaration of Rights (Pennsylvania State Constitution). In essence, the courts have justified that a compelling state reasons exist in insuring safe roads by the use of these totally inefficient “checkpoints.” To try to give some sort of veneer of adherence to a water-downed version of the 4th Amendment, the Courts have placed some restrictions and guidelines that police have to follow in order for them to be allowed.

The majority of arrests and charges from these checkpoints have nothing to do with drunk driving.  As the statistics reveal, it is about money. Most are non-moving violations, license issues, or warrants. The simple fact is there is a whole lot of money in DUI checkpoints.  Police departments and PennDOT and county DUI task forces get federal and state grants to set up these checkpoints. We have fallen far astray from what was perhaps the initial noble cause: get impaired drivers off the road.

As always, we encourage you to make responsible decisions.  If you are stopped at a checkpoint, it helps to know your rights.

The McShane Firm is available 24 hours a day to answer your legal questions. Call 1-866-MCSHANE now.

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January 9, 2015

Dan Koewler Selected to the Rising Star List By Super Lawyers Magazine

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Chuck Ramsay

Ramsay Law Firm is proud to announce that Dan Koewler was recently selected to the 2014 Minnesota "Rising Star" list maintained by Super Lawyers. Each year, no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in the State of Minnesota are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com

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July 28, 2012

Super Lawyers Names Attorney McShane a Rising Star

The 2012 issue of Super Lawyers Magazine has been released for Pennsylvania and Delaware and once again Attorney Justin McShane of The McShane Firm has been selected as a Rising Star in DUI Defense.
 Attorney McShane has once again been selected as a rising star in Pennsylvania DUI defense.
Super Lawyers Magazine uses a very critical selection process and in the end, only 2.5% of the attorneys in Pennsylvania are chosen for this award.  Justin has once again been recognized as a leading attorney in DUI defense. One of 4 in the entire state listed for DUI.
Over his career in Pennsylvania DUI defense, Justin has achieved a very high level of recognition around the country.  Many lawyers around the country refer to him as “Encyclopedia McShane” because of his in-depth knowledge about forensic science and DUI testing.  Many attorneys turn to him for advice when they need help in a tough case.
If you are searching for a DUI attorney in PA please visit Attorney McShane’s Avvo profile to see more endorsements.
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May 18, 2012

Super PACs Now Buying Judges, Too

We all know the impact the Super PACs are having on who will be representing us in our state and national governments.  Most senators, congressmen, governors, etc., are now pretty much bought-and-paid-for by Big Money’s deep pockets.  This is largely thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision which found that financial limits cannot be placed on them.  Apparently, the Court feels that corporations are "people", too, and therefor have a constitutionally-guaranteed right of free speech.  In other words, corporations and fat donors dumping tons of money on political candidates are protected by the Bill of Rights!  

This, of course, opened the floodgates:  Big Money is now busily exercising their newly-discovered "free speech" by  buying up judges, too….


Super PACs, Donors Turn Sights on Judicial Branch

Orlando, FL.  Mar 29 – Just before sunset on a recent evening, scores of lawyers in dark suits and polished loafers streamed into the swanky 18th-floor ballroom of a downtown high-rise here. They sipped chardonnay and nursed Heinekens, munched on cheese cubes and made small talk.

The invitation to the event had asked for a “suggested contribution” of $500 to each of three candidates, who were now mingling sheepishly among the crowd. They were no ordinary politicians. In fact, they weren’t politicians at all, but rather Florida Supreme Court justices. Each has been in office since the 1990s, each retained by voters overwhelmingly in previous elections, and each now reluctantly campaigning — for the first time.

 While deep-pocketed super PACs and ultra-wealthy donors have attracted plenty of attention in the presidential contest this year, they are also making waves further down the political food chain. The mere possibility that a rich benefactor or interest group with endless amounts of money could swoop in, write massive checks and remake an entire court for ideological reasons has prompted judges here in Florida and elsewhere to prepare for battles they never expected to fight.

The three justices sipping water and shaking hands in the ballroom decided months ago that they needed to campaign early and hard. They saw two of their colleagues targeted in 2010 after the court refused to allow a ballot measure opposing a key provision in President Obama’s health-care plan. They knew the organizers of that effort, angry about what they call “judicial activism,” had promised to step up their campaign and had formed a political organization that by law can raise unlimited money.

The judges were less than excited about having to ask people for money.

“It is almost embarrassing to be doing it,” Justice Fred Lewis said…

Those challenging the judges say their actions offer a way to inform the public and hold the judiciary accountable. The judges say they welcome accountability but want to protect the independence of the bench.

Like judges elsewhere, those in Florida remain rattled by what happened two years ago in Iowa, where three state Supreme Court justices who had upheld a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage lost their jobs after a vitriolic million-dollar campaign to unseat them — money coming almost entirely from outside the state. In the preceding decade, not a single dollar had reportedly been spent on Iowa’s high court elections…

Judicial elections have long drawn the interest of wealthy benefactors, business and labor groups, and trial lawyers, but watchdog groups say they are particularly troubled by a new trend: The universe of big donors has grown smaller and more concentrated.

In a 2010 study that examined 29 judicial races, the watchdog group Justice at Stake found that the top five spenders averaged $473,000 apiece, while all other donors averaged $850. In addition, loopholes in disclosure laws gave those big donors ways to spend money “in substantial secrecy,” the report found.

“Outside forces are becoming a bigger deal,” said Roy Schotland, a Georgetown University law professor and expert on judicial elections. “We’re seeing more takeover of the races from the outside.”

Schotland said state judicial races are increasingly becoming “floating auctions,” in which special-interest groups focus money and manpower in states where they can upend judges they don’t like. “The justices are like sitting ducks,” he said…


I wonder what the going price is for a judge?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 at 9:18 am and is filed under Duiblog. 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.


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The acronyms DUI, DWI, OMVI and OVI all refer to the same thing: operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The most commonly used terms are DUI, an acronym for Driving Under the Influence, and DWI, an acronym for Driving While Impaired.
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