Traffic stops can be a very embarrassing experience. Particularly when they happen on busy roads, motorists never know who might see them during their interaction with law enforcement. Frequently, people fear the exposure and embarrassment of a driving under the...
DUI Defense
Can the Police Take My Blood Without My Consent?
Florida Statute § 316.1932-1933 regulates when the police can require you to give a blood sample, especially if someone has been seriously injured or killed in an accident and the police think you were driving under the influence. After the accident, the police may...
“Ill, Tired, or Impaired:” Traffic Stop to Conduct a Welfare Check
Many people wrongly believe that a law enforcement officer must have probable cause to believe that a defendant has committed a traffic infraction or have a reasonable suspicion to believe that the defendant has committed a crime in order to lawfully stop a vehicle....
“Is That Sniff Up to Snuff? – That Dog Won’t Hunt.” Fifth District Court of Appeals Opinion on Ford v. Florida
In a landmark decision that is set to reshape legal standards across the state, the 5th District Court of Appeals (5th DCA) issued a significant decision in Ford v. Florida, addressing the use of dog sniffs in drug-related searches. This case sheds light on the legal...
What constitutes a “per se” DUI offense?
Police officers pull over people when they show signs of intoxication at the wheel. Officers may also sometimes start to suspect that an individual may have had too much to drink after stopping them for another issue, such as failure to use a turn signal. Driving...
Three ways a DUI conviction could affect a defendant’s career
Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can lead to a variety of criminal penalties. The courts can incarcerate people after a conviction and may suspend their driver's licenses. Some people plead guilty in the hopes of obtaining a lenient sentence and moving on...
Tips for navigating a traffic stop safely and effectively
While traffic stops are common, being pulled over by a traffic officer is an unsettling experience for most drivers. Understanding the correct way to handle a traffic stop can make the experience smoother. Knowing how to conduct oneself during a traffic stop can help...
What are the licensing penalties for a Florida DUI conviction?
The Florida criminal courts see a large number of driving under the influence (DUI) cases every year. People get arrested because they cause crashes or fail a breath test during a traffic stop. The factors that led to someone's arrest and the impact that an alleged...
3 times when Happy Hour could lead to drunk driving charges
Bars and restaurants in Florida offer happy hour specials both to tempt locals and to draw tourist traffic. Few things inspire people to patronize a business more effectively than discounted alcoholic beverages. Stopping in at happy hour on one's way home from work...
How long can alcohol be detected in your system?
Do you know how long alcohol can be detected in your system? If not, the answer to how long certain tests can detect alcohol may surprise you. You should understand that the amount of time alcohol can be detected in your system depends on your body, fat content, how...