Learning that you are facing criminal charges in Florida can be scary and frustrating, especially when you do not have any recollection of the crime itself because you were intoxicated or otherwise impaired. If you are charged with a crime in Florida but you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time the crime was committed, can...
Continue ReadingDUI laws are getting tougher in Utah. Utah recently passed a law that will lower the current blood alcohol content (BAC) limit from 0.08% to 0.05%. When this law goes into effect in December 2018, it will be the lowest BAC in the United States. Utah is lowering its BAC due to recommendations from a National Transportation Safety Board...
Continue ReadingIn addition to fines and possible jail time, the most immediate consequence of a DUI conviction is the loss of your driving privileges. Under Florida law, conviction of a first DUI carries a minimum 180 days revocation of your driver’s license. Depending on the facts and circumstances, a judge may extend that revocation up to 1 year. And if...
Continue ReadingWe often discuss drunk driving in terms of the legal process–i.e., the arrest and trial. But it is also important to understand just how a DUI can affect your daily life going forward. Even if you are a first-time offender who is not facing jail time, you will still find that having a DUI on your record can make...
Continue ReadingEvery Florida parent is nervous when their teenager gets his or her driver’s license. Your biggest worry is that they will get into a serious car accident. But you should also be concerned about the possibility of a drunk driving arrest. Although teenage drunk driving has decreased significantly over the past two decades, it is still a major problem....
Continue ReadingA record 68 million people visited Orlando in 2016. Tourists from all over the United States come to Orlando to visit theme parks, relax on the gorgeous beaches and play golf at the world-class courses. While many come to the Sunshine State for family-friendly fun, some come to enjoy the nightlife. Orlando has a happening bar scene geared toward...
Continue ReadingAutonomous or “self-driving” cars have the potential to transform Florida’s transportation system. Proponents claim computer-controlled vehicles will eventually reduce fatal accidents and traffic congestion. But as automotive technology evolves, there are new legal questions that will need to be answered. For example, is a person illegally driving under the influence of alcohol if their car is actually doing the...
Continue ReadingWhile traveling around the Orlando area, especially during weekends or holidays, you may notice police conducting random “sobriety checkpoints.” You may have even be stopped yourself. But can the police really do this? After all, if you are just driving down the street and there is no evidence that you are violating traffic laws or committing a DUI, what...
Continue ReadingWhile drunk driving remains a major problem in Orlando and throughout central Florida, that has not slowed the demand for liquor. Responding to public demand, the Pinellas County Commission approved legislation back in March that permits bars, restaurants, and stores to begin selling hard liquor on Sundays starting at 8 a.m. Under previous rules, 8 a.m. sales were the...
Continue ReadingDrunk driving and DUI charges are most often associated with cars or other land-based vehicles. But under Florida and federal law, you can also face serious consequences if you are caught boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In fact, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, a person operating a boat “is likely to become impaired more quickly”...
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