Monthly Archives: June 2011

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera Gets His License Back, Thanks to Michael J. Kessler

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At the end of May, one of the Detroit Tigers’ star players, Miguel Cabrera was able to get his driver’s license back after a February DUI arrest. The court decided that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove that Cabrera was under the influence at the time of arrest. Although Cabrera still faces more hearings pertaining to DUI charges, he has Michael J. Kessler representing him, an experienced Florida attorney who specializes in DUI cases.

Michael J. Kessler has been a prominent DUI attorney in Florida for more than two decades. He is even the author of the book, Florida Drunk Driving Defense – the go-to manual for anyone arrested for a Florida DUI. He has been listed as one of the top DUI lawyers on Super Lawyers. He is often a guest speaker at lectures and legal panels and is a member of the National College for DUI Defense. For more information on Michael J. Kessler, please visit his page here.

You don’t need to be a famous athlete to hire a lawyer who specializes in DUI defense. Oftentimes, people pay less money hiring a qualified DUI attorney than they do by pleading guilty and paying the required fines.  If you have been arrested for a DUI, contact a lawyer today.

The DUI Process: Staying Organized

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With all the stress a DUI arrest may cause, it is easy to let things get out of control.  Staying organized is one of the best things you can do to allow this process to take place with the least amount of stress possible. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, here are some tips for staying organized.

Write everything down.

When you meet with a DUI lawyer and head to court, you will be asked a lot of questions about what happened during your arrest. It can be daunting and intimidating. It is a good idea to write everything down as soon as possible after your arrest. Write down everything you remember from the incident. Keep track of what questions the police asked and how you responded. Keep track of the people who were present at the time of your arrest, as well as any other information you feel is important to know.

Keep a calendar.

It is important to stay on top of your schedule.  Keep track of your court dates. If you miss a court date, the court will likely issue a warrant for your arrest. If this happens, with the help of an experienced DUI lawyer, you can get your date postponed and a warrant won’t be issued. However, you may be required to pay a fine for failing to arrive. If you miss your court date again, you run the risk of going to jail.

Save and file important documents.

Speaking from experience, just throwing papers on the table and letting them pile up can really make your life more hectic than it needs to be. It is best to keep your documents in a safe place. You never know when you might need them. Put your court papers and arrest notice in one file. Keep any paperwork you have with your DUI lawyer in another. In a third file, put your receipts and other proof of payments for any fines, IID, alcohol education classes, etc. Finally, be sure to keep track of any documents that indicate you have completed a requirement included in your punishment.

While staying organized will alleviate any unnecessary stress, the most important thing you can is to hire a DUI lawyer. Even if you are organized and keep track of everything, you need someone on your side that has keen knowledge of DUI laws. A skilled DUI attorney can help get your charges reduced or cleared.

Charter Bus Driver Gets DUI

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Unfortunately, we’ve heard many times about commercial drivers getting a DUI with passengers in their car.

However, in Bozeman, MT, a charter bus driver was arrested for a DUI with students on his bus and it was later revealed that the driver has had three previous DUI convictions.

How could have the bus company missed this in the driver’s background check? Furthermore, since the bus company provides transportation for children, wouldn’t they have a more comprehensive background check on potential drivers?

It is oddly bizarre that three DUI convictions went unnoticed, but at the end of the day, we should be lucky that no one got hurt.

CSI Star Creates His Own Crime Scene

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CSI star, Gary Dourdan was arrested early Monday morning for driving under the influence and for drug possession.

Apparently Dourdan drove his car into a couple of parked vehicles and later tried to flee the crime scene. Officers found ecstasy in his possession and arrested the actor.

This is his second drug possession charge.

Car-Less DUI Arrests Over the Weekend

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This past weekend our country saw a few DUI arrests that occurred with intoxicated drivers not driving your typical every day car.

DUI on a Lawnmower

A man in South Dakota was arrested this weekend for driving while intoxicated on a lawnmower. He filled his lawnmower up at a gas station and bought a beer while there. Police detected signs of intoxication, and this man was arrested for a DUI and having an open container in a vehicle.

DUI on Horse-and-Buddy

Two Pennsylvania teenagers were arrested this weekend for operating a horse-and-buggy under the influence. The horse-and-buggy crashed with a car on a Lawrence county road. Although no people got hurt, the horse was injured, but it is expected to make a full recovery.

Checking in With Celebrity DUI Arrests

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Estella Warren Avoids Felony Charge But Still May Go to Jail

Actress and Model, Estella Warren, was arrested for a DUI recently and attempted to evade police. Although it is a felony to run from the police, Warren cannot be charged because technically she wasn’t booked yet. Despite Warren’s charges being all misdemeanors, she could still potentially face 2 years in prison.

Flo Rida – A Day Later

Rapper Flo Rida has been released from jail after posting bail. He was arrested early Thursday morning in Miami after failing a field sobriety test. Unfortunately for Flo Rida, police found out he had been driving on a suspended license. This will likely result in an additional charge.

College Football Star Receives Sentence

Suspended Michigan receiver, Darryl Stonum was sentenced today for a May DUI arrest. He will have to pay $1,130 in fines, $720 in probation oversight fees, an additional $100 police recovery fee, plus fees associated with other aspects of his sentence. In addition, Stomum has to seek treatment, take daily breathalyzer tests, and wear an alcohol-monitoring device (SCRAM). If Stonum is eventually drafted by the NFL and needs to relocate, he will have to participate in that state’s sobriety program, as well.

Apple Bans DUI App

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After receiving a lot of pressure from lawmakers and concerned citizens all around, Apple officially banned a mobile app that lists nearby DUI checkpoints.

Many who opposed the checkpoint app believed it would allow people to get away with drinking and driving. With drivers knowing where sobriety checkpoints are going to be held, they can easily avoid getting in trouble for getting intoxicated behind the wheel. It could potentially increase the amount of drunk drivers, leading to more serious and tragic consequences.

People who supported the application believe drivers have a right to know where checkpoints are going to be held. After all, many area newspapers and blogs list when police will be setting up a checkpoint. Some states (notably Ohio, California, and Florida) even list the exact intersection of a certain DUI checkpoint.

When it is all said and done, checkpoints will always be announced, whether it is through blogs, crime reports, newspapers, or word of mouth. However, checkpoint listings won’t be as easily accessible as pressing a button on a smartphone. Therefore, for better or worse, the general knowledge of checkpoint locations will remain status quo.

Did Your Teen Get a DUI? Tips for Parents

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Let’s face it. As much as we hate to think about it, teens continue to make poor choices and get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Yes, there are great programs that curb the numbers of teens drinking and driving, but if you look at a newspaper you will see that the number of teens who do drink and drive definitely isn’t zero.

Getting an underage DUI is not a situation anyone, including your teenager, wants. Not only does it cause personal stress within your family and social life, but you also have the law to deal with and the potential legal consequences your teen can face.

While everything may seem chaotic now, there is hope. By following some of these suggestions, you will likely see a day where your lives are back in order.

Hire a Lawyer

Your teen has the same rights as anyone. A skilled DUI attorney can find loopholes in your teens’ case that will benefit your teen’s situation. By hiring someone with the knowledge of DUI laws, your teen has a chance of getting his or her charges reduced or cleared. Hiring a lawyer is integral for anyone arrested for a DUI, especially for minors who have a bright future ahead of them.

Look for Alternative Sentencing Options

It is very common for courts to give teens alternatives to jail or juvenile detention. Some types of sentences include community service and alcohol education classes. The last thing a parent wants to see is their teen locked up. Be sure to see if any sentencing alternatives are available. Again, an experienced DUI attorney can help you with this.

Invest in an Ignition Interlock

An ignition interlock can also be used as a sentencing alternative and allows your teen to keep his or her license. An ignition interlock can be installed into your teens’ vehicles to prevent them from drinking and driving. Basically, the driver has to blow into the interlock to start their car. If the interlock detects any trace of alcohol, the car will not start. It is becoming very common for parents to install ignition interlock devices in their teens’ cars. It allows parents to monitor their teens’ drinking habits and teaches teen drivers to make more responsible choices.

Having a teen get a DUI is a dilemma no family wants to face. The consequences can ruin your teen’s future. However, there is hope. With taking responsibility and making the right choices, such as hiring a DUI attorney, you can reduce the financial, legal, and emotional impact this DUI arrest can have on you and your loved ones.