Monthly Archives: February 2011

David Cassidy Avoids Jail (And You Can, Too!)

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If you recall back in November, Partridge Family star, David Cassidy was arrested for a DUI in Florida.  Cassidy pleaded no contest and today it was announced that he will not be going to jail. Instead, Cassidy will have his license suspended for six months, get one year of probation, and do 50 hours of community service.

Community service is a common sentencing alternative for DUI offenders.  I know a lot of people think of community service as a bunch of guys at the side of the road picking up trash. However, there are a lot of other types of community service that carry out people’s sentences. Yes, roadside cleanup is a common job. Other common cleaning jobs include maintaining the grounds of public parks, gardens, low-income housing, and public buildings.

Other forms of community service include collecting items for charity or even helping to build homes and other buildings. Offenders have been known to assist police and fire departments, as well as help out in nursing homes and public libraries. Occasionally, there is clerical work.

Most police departments usually like to assign people to community service projects in the realm of their crime. For example, if someone was arrested for littering, they will likely be assigned to pick up trash. As a result, a lot of DUI offenders will be assigned to talk with school groups about the dangers of drunk driving.

A lot of people feel that community service is an effective way to carry out one’s punishment. It teaches people to have respect for their community, which could be more beneficial than jail time. To see if community service is a viable option for you, contact a DUI attorney right away.

Former Dolphin Gets DUI

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If you’re a fan of the Miami Dolphins, I’m sure you’d be upset to hear that Bob “Kooch” Kuechenberg was arrested over the weekend for drunk driving. This is his second DUI arrest, without counting a previous arrest in 1993 that was reduced to a wet reckless.

What could a second DUI charge mean to this football legend? Kuechenberg may have to pay $1000 or even more in fines. He could spend 9 months to a year in jail, and he can lose his license for up to a year. Keuchenberg may also possibly have to install an ignition interlock.

I suppose we can all expect to see Keuchenberg hire a high-profile attorney to help fight his charges. However, just because Keuchenberg is a public figure and might be in a higher financial bracket than the rest of us, this does not mean you shouldn’t hire an attorney for your DUI charge. Your career, reputation, and freedom are just as important as any “notable” person. If you’re currently trying to deal with a DUI, do what the celebs do and hire a lawyer right away.

Mira Sorvino's Husband Arrested for Being Drunk in Public

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Oh no! Poor Romy! Miro Sorvino‘s husband, actor Chris Backus, was arrested this weekend for being drunk in public. His drunkenness was causing a scene at the Hyatt Regency Islandia Hotel in San Diego and he was booked on a misdemeanor charge. Apparently, Backus was shouting at guests and hotel security and wielding a bat.

A drunk in public charge can be confusing to a lot of people. After all, we’ve seen a lot of people who are drunk and in public. Why aren’t they arrested? According to the state of California, a person is charged for being drunk in public if he or she is intoxicated to the point where they are a threat to themselves and others around them. Obviously, with Backus swinging a baseball bat near a bunch of hotel guests, it makes complete sense he was arrested.

Drunk in public laws vary greatly from state to state. Some states don’t have a drunk in public charge. However, depending on the safety threat, this does not mean a person cannot be charged for another crime. In other states, a drunk in public charge is a class B misdemeanor. This means that an offender could potentially face jail time and heavy fines.

Although a drunk in public charge is not a DUI per se, it is still important to hire an attorney to fight your case. The judicial system is very complex and you need an expert on your side to help you get through this stressful time.

DUI Checkpoints in CA and OH This Weekend

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Got a DUI? Can You Keep Your Job?

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Rorey Daniel, a police officer in Cocoa, Florida, lost his job this week following his DUI conviction. Since his DUI arrest, Daniel was on paid leave, but he is now officially terminated from the police force.  It makes sense that getting fired from your job as a police officer is a rightful penalty, as it is the officer’s duty to keep our streets safe. However, many other people in different professions run the risk of being jobless, as well.

It is important to understand that a DUI conviction is very different from a DUI arrest. It is when you plead guilty to a DUI that can really hurt your chances of getting or maintaining a job. This is especially true now. The job market is extremely competitive these days. Since you are required to list your conviction when you apply, you really hurt your chances of actually landing the job.

Now, there are cases where a person is able to keep their job after a DUI conviction (namely, movie stars). However, thinking of the social implications, having a DUI on your record can damage your reputation in the workplace (except for maybe movie stars). Your colleagues can find you untrustworthy and you could possibly lose out on promotions and other perks.

Because of this, it is imperative to hire a lawyer to fight your charges. A lawyer that specializes in DUI cases does everything possible to prove your innocence. With the threat of unemployment lurking in almost every field, why wouldn’t you want to fight your DUI charges?

Underage DUI Arrests

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It is unsettling to read about teenagers dealing with the weighty consequences of a DUI. Utah is known for tough DUI sentencing for underage drivers and, now, the senate is taking a look at the harshness of the state’s penalties. Led by majority leader Scott Jenkins, SB28 seeks to allow underage motorists to get their license back after two years if they are under 19 years old, or six months if they are between 19 and 21.

I suppose some people would like to see young adults being given a second chance, but is it fair if their crime is drinking and driving?

On average, the BAC for an underage DUI arrest is 0.02 %. Now, this does not mean that if an underage driver is pulled over and has less than a 0.02% BAC level, he or she will go free.  Even if there is no DUI arrest, there can be an arrest for underage drinking, soliciting alcohol from adults, having fake IDs, and even child endangerment charges if there are other underage people in the car.

Finally, just because it is an underage DUI arrest it does not mean you shouldn’t hire a lawyer. Just like a regular DUI offense, an underage DUI still comes with a lot of complications that only an experienced DUI attorney can handle. If you or someone you know has been arrested for any type of DUI, contact a lawyer immediately.

Super Bowl (and Puppy Bowl) DUI Checkpoints

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Apparently there’s this popular football game happening this weekend and I’m supposed to remind you about sobriety checkpoints.

But seriously folks! Super Bowl Sunday has been known to be a major holiday with a lot of DUI arrests. Don’t think you can get away with driving after drinking, especially not this weekend. There are plenty of patrols out there missing their Super Bowl Sunday (or Puppy Bowl Sunday) to seek out drunk drivers. Don’t let that be you.

Here’s a list of some checkpoints that are happening this Sunday.

Virginia
Powhaton – Increased patrols.

California
Roving Patrols all throughout Los Angeles county

New York
Statewide crackdown continuing into Monday.

Delaware
New Castle County – Wilmington – Several checkpoints between 6 pm and 2 am

Illinois
Carol Stream – Increase on roving patrols

Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh
Watch out, Steeler fans- police are going to be everywhere. Patrols are going to be tripled. Plus, most schools will have a two-hour delay on Monday to ensure students’ safety.

Washington
Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties roving patrols

Oregon
Portland/Washington county – roving patrols

Georgia
Dalton – roving patrols

Colorado
Increased patrols statewide – Please note that these patrols are happening all weekend and not just on Super Bowl Sunday.