Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Most Common DUI Mistakes

Driving under influence or DUI is a punishable offence in most of the countries. The punishment for this conviction depends on the seriousness of the crime and amount of alcohol in the body. If you undergo DUI arrest, you should take immediate action and call your DUI attorney for defense. Many people make the common DUI mistake of not calling the lawyer immediately after the arrest.

Whenever any driver is suspected for drunk driving, the police forces them to undergo the breath test to check the alcohol content in the driver’s blood. The device is inserted in the driver’s mouth and he is asked to blow air in the device. The meter displays the BAC count on the display. The universally accepted permissible BAC count is 0.08%. If the meter shows BAC count above this range, the driver is charged for DUI.

DUI Punishments:

The most common punishment for DUI is suspension of driver’s license for limited time period. For the first time offense, this time period can be from one month to 4 months, and for the multiple offenses, the time period can vary from one year to 10 years. Sometimes, the license can be revoked for lifetime if the offense involves serious injuries or casualties. Court may also order imprisonment to the driver for drunken driving charges. The DUI charges have bad impact on your life and career. Hence, it is important for you to erase these DUI charges from your record. You can hire a DUI attorney immediately after your arrest.

Common DUI Mistakes:

DUI charges are very complicated and can be confusing at times. There are lots of loop holes and pitfalls in DUI offenses that should be understood clearly. Following are some common mistakes made by the convict after the DUI arrest.

Not understanding the seriousness of the DUI charge.
Not consulting the DUI lawyer immediately after DUI arrest
Not hiring experienced lawyer
Ignoring the hearing of the case
Refusing the Breath Test
The out-of-state DUI is much severe issue and should be immediately taken care of. The person may be highly charged or even imprisoned for DUI offense out of their country. Taking immediate measures after DUI arrest is the best way to get rid of these charges.

DUI is a serious crime and should not be ignored if you are arrested under this charge. It is suggested to immediately contact your DUI lawyer after the arrest. Hiring the experienced DUI attorney will help you to erase DUI charges from your record.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Shocking Facts of DUI

Driving under influence of drug and alcohol is the common crime in many countries. Many people are charged for DUI every year. Addiction of alcohol has become the major social problem. DUI is the major cause of the accidents on highways today.

According to the survey, one person is killed every 31 minutes in the accidents related to DUI and a person is injured every 2 minutes in US. Following are some shocking facts of DUI that will show you the severity of this problem.

DUI Facts:
• About 16,885 people died in US in 2005 in the alcohol related accidents representing 39% of all traffic related deaths.
• Around 1.4 million drivers were arrested under DUI charges in 2005.
• About 18% of deaths are caused due to the consumption of drugs other than alcohol. It is used in combination with alcohol.
• More than 500 children below the age of 14, died in 2005, with those who were culprits of DUI.
• About 48 children, who were pedestrians or cyclist were hit by impaired drivers in 2005.
• During 2005, the young men between 18 and 20 were reported driving while impaired more frequently.
• The BAC of about 30% drivers killed was 0.08% or more.
• The age groups of 40 to 44 years have highest percentage of fatalities with BAC of 0.08 or more.
• In 2006 there were around 17,941 deaths due to alcohol related accidents. It was 41 percent of the total 43,000 fatalities in 2006.
• About 80% of alcohol fatalities are caused due to beer consumption.
• About 30% of Americans are punished for drink and drive at least once during their lifetime.

Tips to Avoid DUI:
Following are some tips to avoid drunk driving.
• Get the designated driver if you are planning to drink when you go for weekends or parties.
• Drink at the locations that are at walking distance from your home so that you do not need a vehicle for returning back.
• If you are far away from your home, you can call a cab.
• Prefer public transportation in large cities after drinking.
• Ask your friend to pick you up and drop u back at home.

After reading the dui facts, you may have understood the severity of this problem. There are thousands of people dying due to addiction. It is better to stay away from it rather than following avoiding tips.

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.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

How to Defend Yourself against a DUI in Court


Driving under Influence or DUI is the act of driving the motor vehicle while or after the consumption of alcohol or drugs. DUI is criminal offense in many countries.

The BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) test is available for checking the alcohol content in the blood of the driver.

It is generally difficult to find a DUI defense that will stand up in court, if the police carried-out multiple tests to confirm that you were driving under influence. If you are arrested under DUI charges, it is suggested to consult the DUI lawyer as soon as possible.


DUI charges, if proved, can result in long-term imprisonment and in some cases, it includes heavy fine. To defend yourself from these DUI charges, it is important to consult a DUI lawyer immediately after your arrest. Following points can help you to defend yourself in court against DUI.


Defending Against DUI Charges:

Show that your constitutional rights were despoiled during your arrest.
You can also have DUI defense if you can show that the arresting officer did not read you your Miranda rights during arrest.
You can have solid defense if you establish that the breathalyzers were not working properly during your arrest. Establish that the devices that calculated your BAC were improperly maintained and did not functioned properly.
Prove that the officers did not direct the BAC test correctly. You can also prove that police improperly used the breathalyzer machine.
If the police did not have reason to pull you over at the time of your arrest, you may have the DUI charge dropped by the judge. Show that police did not have reason to pull you over.
Show that you were deprived of your right to counsel when you were arrested. Court may drop your DUI charge if you were not permitted to speak to your DUI attorney when you were arrested for drunk driving.

There are lots of more ways to defend against DUI charges. The best way is to consult with a specialized DUI lawyer before going into court. Never try to defend yourself against DUI charges when your future is at stake.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Quick DUI advice

Driving under the influence or DUI is a crime which is committed when an individual is driving a car, riding a motorcycle or other vehicle and is under the influence of alcohol. The DUI laws vary from state to state. Being arrested or charged is a very stressful experience and can have serious consequences.
An Overview

Generally, it is a crime to drive or ride a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level at or above .08 percent and if this standard exceeds, then every state sets its own laws and penalties concerning DUI. In recent years, DUI penalties have increased drastically. In some states, you can be arrested for simply sitting or sleeping in the car after drinking. If you are arrested, then it is crucial for you to hire a legal representative with expertise to defend yourself.

DUI Arrest
There are many signs that may lead to DUI arrest.

Incoherent speech, slurred speech and slow replies to questions asked, speaking loudly unnecessarily, difficulty in submitting license and legal paperwork, failure in answering the question asked, etc. are few of the indications that can lead a police officer to arrest.

Consequences of DUI
You might have to spend time in jail, pay fines and/or lose your driving license depending on the strictness of the charges and whether you have any history of DUI convictions. There is also a possibility of vehicle confiscation or installing a breath-testing device in your car. In addition to this, you might have to attend various alcohol awareness programs, medical treatments, or even do society service. The DUI convictions can also become a part of your criminal records.

Things To Take Care Of

If you have had simply one drink and stopped by a police officer while driving, then here are few quick DUI advices

Always keep your legal paper, vehicle documents in place so that they are readily available.
Do not answer a question that would admit your guilt.
You can take the blood test instead of the breath test.
Call your folks for help.
Take help of passengers for being your witness.

Now that you have gone through the quick DUI advice, make sure that you adhere to them in DUI circumstances.