Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Legality of DUI Checkpoints in Florida.

Driving Under Influence is severe crime and it can result in serious mishaps that may lead to death of the individual. Many laws are established against this probe but still the rate of drunken driving remains high.

Governments of all countries are taking severe actions against this conviction. Setting up the DUI checkpoints for sobriety checking is one such action against this conviction. These checkpoints or road blocks involve law enforcement officials stopping every vehicle on the public roadway and investigating the possibility of drunk driving. These check points are usually set up late night or in the early morning hours.

The checkpoints for sobriety testing in Florida are known as “no refusal” checkpoints. If the driver refuses to undergo the breath test, the judge is present on site and issues the warrant allowing the police to perform the obligatory breath test and BAC test of the driver.

Every state has different rules for DUI charges. The DUI check points in Florida are allowed under Federal constitution. Supreme Court has declared that the sobriety check points in Florida are not the violation of 4th Amendment rights against illegal search and arrest. The checks are permitted unless it is performed in respectful manner with minimal intrusion and specified guidelines. You can fight against DUI charges in Florida, if you were arrested after improper conducted sobriety checkpoint stop.

DUI Checkpoints in Florida:

Whenever you are stopped at the checkpoints in Florida, the officer will look for any signs of impairment, or the open containers or drugs in your vehicle.

The common signs leading to DUI charge are

• Difficult speech
• Bloodshot eyes
• Odor of alcohol or drugs
• Improper or confused answers to questions
• Proof of intoxication through DUI tests
• BAC level about permissible limit when checked through breathalyzer test
• Erratic movements

The police in Florida have the right to establish the DUI checkpoints any time they feel the necessity. Many counties in Florida have seasonal checkpoints that are established every year during specific period of time. This is generally during the holidays when picnics and parties are arranged with alcohol provided. New Year’s Eve is also the popular time for sobriety checkpoints as the rate of drunk driving is expected to increase during this period.

The announcement for the establishment of checkpoints is spread through local newspapers or radios in Florida. The signs for warning the drivers of the upcoming check points are required while the check poi nt is active.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Impact of a DUI in Getting a New Job

DUI is a serious charge in many countries. It can result in long-term imprisonment, high DUI fines and suspension of the driving license for long period or permanent revocation of license.

The DUI can be charged to minimal extent for the first conviction but it can result in more serious charges for the further convictions. The standard BAC limit is 0.08 percent. Any count found above this limit can result in DUI charge.

Driving under influence can cost you job in future or current situation. You will need to attend the rehab classes or may get your license suspended due to DUI. When you are applying for any job, employers will check for your criminal background. If you are found guilty under such consequences in past, employer may question you about it and make sure that this won’t happen in future or he may directly discard you from the selection procedure. DUI will affect the great deal of possibilities with your current and future jobs.

The DUI charge in past may result in your rejection for the position you are highly suitable and qualified for. The effect of Dui charge on your job can vary from employer to employer. Some employers may question you about the same or some may directly reject your application. Whenever you apply for any position in company, there is a separate column for such prior convictions. If you fill up these details in this column, there is increased possibility that you application may get rejected. If you do not disclose this information, employers check for the previous criminal records of the candidates, and there they may reject your application. The effect of DUI is however always bad on your prospective job, taking proper precautions on time will always keep you away from such convictions.

The best solution on this problem is not to mention about your DUI charges on resume. Instead, you can disclose about your conviction honestly to the prospective employers during the personal interview and explain them that you have learned from your previous mistake and such incidents would not take place in future. This will provide you a ray of hope for the job. Employer may rethink of you for the job position if you are frank enough in telling the truth and not ashamed of your past.

Friday, February 4, 2011

What Are the Consequences of My DUI or DWI If I'm in the Military?

DUI is considered as criminal offense in many countries. It refers to driving a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or the combination of both.


The DUI for the normal citizen can involve the punishment of imprisonment along with the fine. But if you are serving in military and get the DUI or DWI charge, it can have long-lasting and negative impact on your service.


Getting DUI charge, when serving in the military is serious offense. In some ways it is more serious than if you were a normal citizen. In this case, you not only have to answer the police, but also to the commanding officers and the comrades.


Recent studies have shown a drastic increase in the alcohol abuse among the military personnel. Studies reveal that the military personnel are more likely to drink heavily than those who are not in military.


Consequences of Military DUI:


Due to the higher criterion of the military personnel, they face greater consequences for DUI than a civilian.
There are many differences in the DUI charge on a military personnel and a civilian.
The case of the military personnel is filed in the military court which has different criterions for evaluating the state’s legal BAC level.
Military DUI charge can lead to numerous penalties not faced by civilians such as fines, pay reduction, demotion in rank, dishonorable discharge, mandatory military counseling sessions, and incarceration.
Any person willing to receive promotion in military will be stalled by past military DUI conviction.
Dui can disrupt your military career and aspirations within no time. It can destroy every thing you have worked so hard to achieve.

Legal Help for Military DUI:

As the military DUI court proceedings are different from the civilian charges, it is important to hire a specialized attorney to represent your case. The attorney should be experienced in the military DUI laws and handling DUI arrests for the favorable outcome in such cases.


DUI can lead to more serious charges including imprisonment and losing of job. It is important for you to prepare yourself to fight back against any DUI consequences you may receive.