In April, state Representative Dane Eagle faced allegations of driving under the influence after a police officer said the legislator’s vehicle was swerving between lanes late at night. The officer smelled alcohol when he spoke to Eagle, who refused to take a breath test and was subsequently arrested.
Daily Commercial reports that a Florida motorist says the smell of alcohol on his breath should not have been enough for an arrest. Police often use a suspect’s appearance or odor to justify a DUI arrest, but those physical markers can be deceiving.
After several recent drunk-driving stories, the Florida Highway Patrol has increased the number of DUI checkpoints throughout the state, including in Fort Myers. These stops are leading to more arrests, but that doesn’t mean every arrest becomes a conviction.
No matter what charges you face, there are many different ways your case can end. Sometimes, it’s worth it to fight the charges against you. Other times, it may benefit you to seek a plea deal.
Unless you spend time in the courtroom or keep up on all the local news, it’s easy to imagine that most DUI trials are similar to one another. For instance, if three people face DUI manslaughter charges in Florida, you might expect them to receive similar sentences.
Last month, the state suspended judge Gisele Pollack without pay after she failed a field-sobriety test. The news came as a shock to Floridians, especially because Pollack presided over substance-abuse court. This week, another judge faces a DUI charge, although her situation is very different.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety, police arrested approximately 53,600 Floridians for drinking and driving in 2012. Although these defendants are usually lumped together in the news and for statistics, it’s important to point out that there are many different types of DUI charges, and each case is unique.
The media has already begun to lampoon State Rep. Dane Eagle after his arrest last month. At the time, he released a brief statement declaring his innocence and explained that he would not elaborate until a later date on the advice of his DUI-defense attorney.
In many ways, judges’ faults make them better suited for their jobs. For example, when Gisele Pollack first became a judge, she was very open about her history of alcoholism. She hoped her struggle could help her better understand what drinking-and-driving defendants need in order to get sober. She was also very good at promoting […]
AZ Central reports that the police believe freshman Rep. Dane Eagle provided the latest example of a lawmaker behaving badly. At about 2 a.m. one Monday, a police officer saw a black SUV exit a Taco Bell parking lot. As the driver pulled onto the roadway, he barely missed striking the median before running a […]
If you or someone you love is involved in a legal matter—whether family, criminal, immigration, or personal injury-related—we want to help you. We offer no-cost, no-obligation initial consultations, during which time we will answer your questions and help you understand your legal rights and options.
For sound and honest legal advice, contact The Law Office of Michael M. Raheb today..
