Get Adobe Flash player

Archive for the ‘LA DUI Defense Articles’ Category

Harsher Penalties For Drunk Drivers In California

On the heels of a month marked by extensive media coverage of the Orange County trial of Andrew Gallo–the San Gabriel man, who, despite having his license suspended for a prior DUI conviction, took the wheel after a night of binge drinking and killed Angeles’ rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart, and two friends in an early morning collision–news has broken of a new law that will impact DUI repeat offenders. Starting January 1, 2012, judges will have the option of revoking an individual’s license for up to 10 years if that person has three or more convictions for driving under the influence within the past decade. The law is just one of many efforts by state legislators and officials to combat drunk driving in California.

Annually 1.5 million people are arrested for driving under the influence in this state, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). DUI repeat offenders account for one-third of those arrested. A recent study of the percentage of drivers with alcohol-related convictions in the nation’s 20 largest cities by insurance.com found that the greatest number of violators resided in San Diego, followed by San Jose in second place, Los Angeles in seventh, and San Francisco in eighth. The high incidence of convicted drivers in these cities was attributed to three factors: a higher rate of alcohol consumption among the population, “more partiers,” in general; a lack of public transportation; and effective enforcement of drinking-and-driving laws.

Over the last 30 years, numerous laws have been passed to prevent drinking and driving in the United States:

In 1984, the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act was signed into law. Under the law, states that fail to prohibit the purchase or public consumption of alcohol by an individual under the age of 21 will have 10% of Federal highway funding withheld from them. In effect, this law raised the national minimum drinking age to 21.

In 1990, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sobriety checkpoints were legal under the constitution.

In 1995, the Federal Zero Tolerance Law was passed, making it illegal for individuals under 21 years old to drive with any measurable amount of blood alcohol content (BAC) in their blood. Highway safety funds would be withheld from any state failing to comply with the law by October 1, 1998.

In 2000, .08 BAC became the national illegal limit for impaired driving. Under the law, a percentage of federal highway construction funds would be withheld from any state failing to comply.

To date, 14 states have enacted laws mandating DUI first-time and repeat offenders to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. California, however, has only implemented a pilot program in four counties: Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare. Drivers with the device are forced to breathe into a tube connected to a machine that measures alcohol levels; if alcohol is detected, the machine will prevent the ignition from starting. The device not only prevents those with DUI convictions from drinking and driving, it also serves as a deterrent to all drivers, as it considerably increases the cost of receiving a DUI. Legislators will consider expanding the program statewide after a 5-year evaluation.

In California-and nationwide-efforts to combat drunk driving have had an impact on the number of fatal alcohol-related accidents. Throughout the country, such accidents decreased by almost 10 percent from 13,041 in 2007 to 11, 773 in 2008. In California, there were 108 fewer fatal accidents in 2008 than in 2007, from 1,347 to 1,239. Hopefully, the fatality rate will continue to decline with the state’s increasingly aggressive DUI enforcement and harsher penalties.

Originally published here.


James Ballidis

Accident Attorney FAQ

MoreAccident Attorneyquestions please visit : LawyerFreeFAQ.com

I entail an attorney that know in the order of Disabled and Car accident on Tribe Reservation?
I am on a fixed income and I was in a motor accident on Aug 31,2006. I need someone that know about the people that are disabled? I be badly hurt in this saloon accident. I need someone that know a way around tribal…

I get into coupé catastrophe and still see doctor my attorney settlment the grip what can i do?
Your lawyer will know you are still seeing your doctor and allow for that within the claim. Source(s): 30 years a cop If you accepted a settlement you released the insurance company of all liability for any adjectives cost. They won’t give you…

I get surrounded by sports car catastrophe so i get an attorney since i am contained by core discomfort, he’s charging 40% . is that too much?
i had a car luck and i am not at fault..its a rear conclude collision, the reason i got an attorney is to the certainty tha none of the insurances involve have contacted me…

I Got Into a Car Accident…Need Attorney’s Advice!?
In Nov. 2006 I got in a sports car accident on the highway. Put simply, I hydroplaned and spun across all lane and got hit from behind. At the time I be 20 and never having been contained by a car accident I be very scared. I stayed contained by the car until…

I have a non breakdown auto quirk, should I contact an attorney?
I had an auto accident 2 months ago and saw a Chiropractor during that time, end visit was today. The insurance co contacted me a month ago to see of my progress and own not contacted me since, should I call them? My injuries were thoughtful tissue in the…

I have a sports car chance near a trucking company truck more or less a year ago go to psychoanalysis and i own an attorney and?
the attorney says i should get some sort of settlement but he does not know what it will be. my attorney hurt his knees and he has to have surgery and he call and ask…

I have motor luck,i have three fractures at my leg,its not my shortcoming my attorney said he dosent enjoy suitable insur
the guy who hit me dosent have good insurance,and my attorney said you will not own that much money from the claim,and im almost disable ,I dont know how to deal with my attorney or what i enjoy to ask…

I have need of an attorney for an out-of-date sports car happenstance; I’m have pay for problems 2 years after the happenstance. Advice?
I got in a motor accident 2 years ago; it was the other drivers’ error, so their insurance paid for me to see a chiropractor for a few months to fix some back problems it cause. In the…

I hold a Durable Power of Attorney for my father vehicle. Can I use it to put on the market his motor to prevent accident?
What do you mean by preventing accidents? If your father is elderly and you misgivings that he is at risk of having an accident because of impair vision, slow reflexes. loss of motor control, advance dementia…

I involve surgery on décolletage after auto twist of fate,my attorney will not put up money to capture operation?
I was rear done,i hired an attorney,after over one year of chiropractic treatment a MRI was done and found my spinal cord is 90 percent pinched off,i am contained by dire need of operation.my attorney is not willing to put up a…

I just this minute settled a coupé catastrophe suit second wed. how long until the ins company sends the check my attorney?
hasnt heard anything since i signed the settlement papers. Usually a week or two from reputable companies. Call them everyday until you receive it!

I NEED HELP! I own property smash up next to pictures from a sports car happenstance but can’t find an attorney?!?
I was in a small vehicle accident. Nobody was hurt, the woman who hit us fled the seen and returned over 45 minutes later. Both cars have to be immediately moved out of the road because it is such a…

I own an attorney accident/SSI I believe he is on drugs and is neglect my grip What are my option?
How can I change attorney this late surrounded by the game You can ask the believe to be to dismiss the attorney for you. You can come right out and fire him yourself. If he is actually using drugs and giving…

I own an uninsured auto quirk, if I hire an attorney can he sue for over and above my policy boundaries?
Insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company on certain conditions. It is equally applicable to you both. Non coverage of contractual condition on the part of Insurance Company just can be able to sue the Company. Uninsured…

I settled a motor stroke of luck lawsuit. Why is the check made payable to me and my attorney?
When a lawyer takes on a armour, he puts a lien on any money recovered. That prevents a client from going behind their back to work out their own treaty. If the insurance company just made the check to you and you…

I stipulation a flawless counsel for a coup twist of fate attorney surrounded by San Diego?
I recently got into a vehicle accident a few months ago and i currently have a “lawyer” that isnt doing anything for me. I would Love to fire him but i dont want to do it till i find a brand new one that can…

I stipulation to post a give somebody the third degree contained by a forum where on earth attorneys can answer a ask I hold on a vehicle chance bag contained by C?
Anyone know of the best website to go to for this? i know that http://www.badproducts.com offers free baggage evaluations. I used them before for a malpractice case and they…

I would resembling to achieve a copy of the statements from an auto disaster. Do I hold to hold an attorney?
Do you mean you’d like to know what happen at the accident and what was said to the police, who get charged, etc? If that is the question, the answer is No. You can gain a copy of the police…

Ideas for Los Angeles auto coincidence attorneys?
Here are some good legal links for you: http://www.la-orange-county-lawyers-attorney-directory.com/los_angeles_orange-county-auto-accident-law.htm http://www.la-orange-county-lawyers-attorney-directory.com/los_angeles_orange-county-legal-services.htm http://www.la-orange-county-lawyers-attorney-directory.com

If I hold an attorney for a auto misfortune and he have done nought contained by a 3 month interval can I acquire another?
I hired an attorney for an auto accident I was contained by and he has done nothing contained by 3 months can I get another without have to pay him for nothing? Yes. Let the attorney know…

If my auto coincidence skin is dismissed, will I enjoy to settle up defense attorney costs?
I have an auto accident satchel which the logging truck driver jacknifed his truck and hit me head on. I sustained serious injuries, and am suing. Nobody saw the accident, it be far out. I was flown out by medivac. The insurance company representing the…

If you be within an calamity and have to choose an attorney would you pick one base on location or reputation.?
For example, would you drive out of your way to meet near a reputable attorney or go to the one that is close to your home? The most reputable one available, even if I had to drive 1,000 miles. A…

I’m worried guys. I be within an auto quirk i enjoy an attorney who does not hang on to me informed. Does not appointment to?
I’m worried guys. I was in an auto happenstance i have an attorney who does not keep me informed. Does not christen to keep me posted as to what to do next. but when he requirements…

In an automobile misfortune,can illegals acquire an attorney later sue a citizen?
Probably.. they seem to have more rights than actual Americans in this day and age. And if Bush and Kennedy get their way, they will enjoy even more. I would doubt it, they’d inevitability to show ID to someone at some point. Not in Arizona. We passed a law…

Injured within auto coincidence by drunk driver…do i find an attorney? Read…?
So i was hit by a habitual (4th offense) drunk driver, within a company car, at midnight a week or so ago. He was cited for dead loss to yield at an intersection, and DUI, which is now his 4th offense. I hold been diagnosed with a herniated disc…

Is here a time goal for obtain an attorney for saloon quirk?
I was rear terminated on the freeway in August 2008, Other insurance took full responsibility. I was not hurt actual bad, but I was hurt. My dr. prescribed 3 meds, and I still verbs to take for my symptoms. I didn’t think I needed a attorney then, but since…

Is it better to settle up a 35% attorney payment contained by a auto catastrophe settlement or do it yourself? We are within Idaho.?
I know it depends on each case, but we are depating weather to retain an attorney or exchange blows it ourselves. 33 1/3 % of a settlement vs. a possible 100% of nothing. Your send for… law…

Is it conventional for an attorney to use your social financial guarantee number as a covering number surrounded by an auto catastrophe.?
I recently retained an attorney in march past of this year from injuries recieved in an automobile accident. Since afterwards I noticed certain things while human being represented by this law firm, such things as using my social security…

Originally published here.


lawyerfreefaq

Defending Drunk Driving Arrests In California

Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys are faced with a new challenge in defending drunk driving due to new attempts by California police authorities to fight DUI.  Police Departments throughout California are attempting to use social media and online services to make those who get arrested for DUI embarrassed.  How do they propose doing it? Criminal Attorneys are informed that their client’s name and photo may be placed on social media sites such as facebook, myspace and LinkedIn.

Fighting DUI cases in California has become increasingly difficult for Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys.  This is just another reason why DUI lawyers must take every drunk driving arrest, especially those that involve bodily injury more seriously.

Privacy advocates must work in conjunction with criminal attorneys to curb the overly enthusiastic efforts of Los Angeles Police Department to fight DUI by causing unnecessary shame and embarrassment, when other means of fighting DUI is readily available.  Police Department defends its proposed action of placing mug shot of those who get arrested more than once for driving under the influence of alcohol on sites such as Facebook and Myspace, by arguing that such action “saves lives”.  It is arguable, however, how causing shame and embarrassment by exposing such individuals to pubic view will save lives. To what extent could law enforcement authorities invade one’s privacy?  Is this the beginning of the creation of a database of DUI convictions with their private information and photos available for everyone to see?

Are the authorities attempting to fight DUI cases by making DUI an equivalent of sexual predators whose name are readily available online?  To propose that the photograph of everyone who gets arrested for Drunk Driving must be immediately place on social media sites clearly violates the constitutional rights of our private citizens.  Criminal Defense Attorneys have long fought for our citizen’s rights to privacy and have played a major role in creating a balance between privacy rights of our citizens and the government’s right to protect the safety of the public.  In the context of California Drunk Driving Laws, and for all intents and purposes in the whole United States, there should not be an assumption that everyone who gets arrested for DUI will in fact be convicted of the crime.  Also, many times a conviction is the result of plea negotiations between criminal attorneys and prosecutors in DUI courts, where there is not convincing evidence of the arrestee’s guilt.

To cause such embarrassment to DUI arrestees by exposing them to ridicule and shame on social medial sites California Law Enforcement Authorities are clearly invading our citizen’s privacy rights, their right to be secure in their property and belongings, and the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven.

The presumption of innocence does not change for repeat DUI offenders.  There is no question that drunk drivers in California are responsible for a large percentage of vehicle related deaths each year.  However, defense attorneys argue that the constitutional rights of private citizens should not be abridged in order to curtail the interest of those who intend to drink and drive.  We could not correct a wrong with another wrong.  If we don’t stop this, next thing you know, they will make the license plate of drunk drivers a different color so that everyone knows they have had a DUI, or they could make them place a red flag in their yard, and better yet write it on their forehead “drunk driver!”

Multiple Police Departments in California have pressed the issue of placing mug shots of DUI arrestee online.  This is done in an increased push by law enforcement authorities and various non-profit organizations and anti DUI advocates who have lost loved ones in drunk driving accidents.

DUI Defense requires specialized Knowledge and skill. With the help of our trained attorneys who aggressively defend Drunk Driving charges, avoid jail time and license suspension. Get the most professional Drunk Driving defense in Los Angeles you deserve. 

At the Law Offices of Tony M. Seyfi, criminal defense attorney, our goal is victory for our clients in defending DUI cases, and we are confident of our defense strategies.  If you would like to discuss your DUI case, call us today for a FREE CONSULTATION and case analysis.

Law Offices of Tony M. Seyfi, Los Angeles, California.  Call:  866-533-3363

Originally published here.


Tony M. Seyfi