DUI & Drunk Driving
Drive Drunk, But Drive Well
So the cop pulled you over while driving. He administered the Field SobrietyTests and then placed you under arrest. You were a little bit drunk and were cited for a DUI. How did this happen? Well, you might not have seen those illuminated signs asking drivers to report drunk drivers at the local highway, but believe it or not, the majority of DUI cases are phoned in by good Samaritans.…
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Should I Plead Guilty to a DUI?
As criminal defense lawyers, people sometimes ask us, "Why shouldn't I just plead guilty to my DUI charge? After all, I was drinking that night. I did blow a .08 when I was arrested. Shouldn't I just forget about hiring a DUI lawyer and just plead guilty at the first court date?" Our answer is, "We would recommend you hire a lawyer, and we would recommend that you plead 'Not…
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California “Cracking Down” on DUI’s
Have you noticed more Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints lately? Have you noticed more and more celebrities getting arrested and convicted of DUI charges lately? One only has to open their local newspaper to see Paris Hilton, Lane Garrison, Nichole Richie, etc. and their problems with DUI's! Well, there is a reason for all of this. California is "cracking down" on DUI's and going after DUI offenders with an…
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Increased DUI Enforcement and Drunk Driving Incidents a Significant Part of the Holidays
The holidays mean good times, family gatherings, and company parties, but they also mean increased DUI enforcement and drunken driving incidents. The holiday season has just begun, and law enforcement agencies are strictly enforcing DUI laws to avoid drunken driving accidents, injuries and casualties. For example the city of Santa Clarita, California has partnered with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station in a new Anti-DUI program that aims to attack…
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DUI on a Bicycle?
If you are familiar with the midnight ride, you are familiar with what goes on during its course. More than 500 bicycle riders get together to ride 26 miles once every two months. Riders are encouraged to stop off at local convenient stores, purchase alcoholic beverages and consume them prior to starting their ride again. My client was shocked when he was pulled over for driving under the influence the…
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Recent Court Decision Makes Changes in DUI Cases
A recent court decision made changes in the way criminal defense lawyers may present their DUI cases in trial. Many judges have not been allowing defense lawyers to present certain evidence regarding whether or not the defendant was actually under the influence. This new court decision is telling all other judges that they must allow defense lawyers to present evidence that their clients were not driving under the influence. What…
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TAKING BLOOD BY FORCE:
A citizen arrested for DUI usually has the right to choose between taking a breath test or a blood test. There is, of course, a third choice: refuse to take either. The individual can do this, but there are consequences: he will face an increased jail sentence or a longer driver's license suspension - or, in most states, both. The problem is that some police just won't take "no" for…
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What Exactly Is a DUI?
So you have heard about DUI's but do no know exactly what they entail? Hopefully, this blog will serve as a quick reference guide to DUI's. The acronym DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence. It can refer to a person driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or some other controlled substance. Moreover, sometimes a DUI may also be referred to as a "deuce" or…
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No One is Immune to a DUI
So you think that famous people with money can use their fame and fortune to get out of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI) charges? You think that DUI's only happen to "us regular folk"? Well, all you have to do is pick up a newspaper or your favorite celebrity gossip magazine to see that this is not the case. In fact, celebrities getting arrested on suspicion…
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If I have a high Blood Alcohol Content level, should I plead guilty?
Although your blood alcohol content is probably the most important factor when the District Attorney and Judge evaluate your case, a high blood alcohol content alone does not mean that you cannot still win your DUI case. In fact no one factor on its own is enough to seal your fate. There are a number of other factors to consider which many not be obvious to you or to other…
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