Most U.S. states have laws that prohibit drivers from having an open container of alcohol with them while inside a vehicle. For the most part, these open container laws are straightforward: it’s illegal to have a container filled with an alcoholic beverage anywhere...
When Your Life Is On The Line
Drunk Driving
How suppressing evidence can impact your DUI case
The prosecution heavily relies on evidence to prove a defendant's guilt to the threshold required in criminal cases - beyond a reasonable doubt. In the context of driving under the influence (DUI) charges, crucial evidence includes breathalyzer or blood test results,...
Police mistakes that can help your DUI defense
A DUI arrest can be frightening and confusing in equal measures. However, this does not mean you are guilty of drunk driving. Law enforcement officers are required to follow strict regulations before they can stop, arrest and charge you with drunk driving. If the...
How do DUI penalties change with a prior conviction?
Any drunk driving charge can impact your life, your relationships and your freedom. However, with a prior conviction on your record, the penalties that you face are more severe. How might the consequences of a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction change with...
Can I get a DUI for medical marijuana?
Too many DUIs on your record can mean losing your license and having to find new ways to get around. While it is no secret how serious Florida DUI consequences can be for driving while under the influence of alcohol, but what about medical marijuana? More and more...
2 ways a DUI conviction can affect your career
The story usually starts with, “Believe me, I am cool. I have only had a few bottles of beer.” However, in the eyes of the law, you are not cool and the penalties for driving under influence (DUI) if you are convicted are quite tough. A DUI conviction in the Sunshine...
DUI checkpoints: are they legal in Florida?
Every so often, usually before a holiday weekend, Tampa-area law enforcement agencies announce that they will be setting up DUI checkpoints. A lot of people get uncomfortable with the idea of the police stopping vehicles and looking for reasons to arrest the drivers....
Don’t lose your reputation due to a DUI
As a person with a good job, an impressive income, good relationships and who is a respected member of your community, you may not realize the importance of your reputation until you lose it. The way that you are thought of in your community, whether your place of...
Can the police conduct random stops?
A police officer parks his car on the side of the interstate to watch the traffic go by. It’s right around 2:00 in the morning, and it’s a weekend. The officer knows there are drunk drivers out there. This is the time of the week when they’re most common. It’s just a...
Blowing over the limit without touching a drop: The danger of alcoholic foods
It might come as a surprise, but did you know that you could get drunk without ever having an alcoholic drink? Many different foods are cooked with alcohol, and while there is a myth that the alcohol in that food totally evaporates and cooks away, that’s not entirely...