The Dream Act, Reward for iIlegal Conduct?

The government lawmakers this week shot down the "dream act"  effectively denying young children of illegal immigrants the opportunity to become citizens and finally be a part of the United States as legal citizens.  Many believe this act was a reward to those that entered the US illegally, others say it rewards those who had no say in where they grew up and did the right thing by going to school and staying out of criminal trouble.  Time will tell which side eventually prevails.

Ticket Myths

There are few things that evoke more fear or loathing than getting stopped and ticketed by a law enforcement officer.  The legal process that follows can be quite daunting from the standpoint of mounting a defense or dealing with the problem.  One Lamont Speeding Ticket Attorney has assembled a list of common myths and half truths related to traffic tickets, it's worth taking a look at.

DUI While Parked

Penal Laws in the state of California define DUI as driving at a time when your mental or physical faculties are impaired to such a degree that you cannot operate a motor vehicle with the caution characteristic of a sober person. The interrogatory is frequently asked if a person can be arrested and charged with a DUI while they are parked in their driveway. The answer to this question depends on whether the police can establish actual driving. Obviously,  the law does not require that the police officer actually see the person driving, this element can be proven using circumstantial evidence. So, if the governmental officer sees the person pull into his own driveway and he is under the influence, game over. Further, if another witness sees the driving, same conclusion. Also, if evidence can be obtained to infer recent driving, IE. warm engine, admissions to recent drinking at the bar prior to arriving home, slumped over wheel while engine running, etc, all can be used to come to a rational conclusion that the person was driving. If other evidence, FST's breath tests and other evidence established that the person was impaired at the time of driving, a DUI case can be established.

DUI Law in the New Millennium

It is indeed axiomatic that as civilizations evolve there is a corresponding increase in new laws and regulations designed to conform the society to a given paradigm.  Criminal laws are no different.  In our current civil structure we have experienced this upward pressure particularly in the category of rules governing the use of motor vehicles, aka automobiles.  It is evident that the legislative bodies have concluded we are unable to think for ourselves and conform our behavior to basic common sense.  A good example of this is the criminalization of the use of cellular phones while driving and the use of active restraints such as seat belts.  DUI laws are also on the agenda and we will see an increase in legislative interaction into how we govern those that use alcohol and drive.

"Over the Influence" commercials send the right message to our youth

Recently, I have seen the new television commercials that espouse abstinence from alcohol and drugs, targeted mainly to young people. These messages need to be played more frequently to buffer then constant onslaught of ads that encourage getting drunk and being under the influence, great work whoever put these together.

Correlation Between DUI and Domestic Violence?

Many social scientists believe that domestic violence goes hand in hand with alcohol consumption and as the economy gets worse alcohol abuse is on the rise. DUI comes into play, according to one Long Beach Domestic Violence Attorney, when the misuse of alcohol becomes intertwined with Domestic Violence. As the situation escalates, often the abuser will find him or herself pushing the limits of societal norms and find themselves drinking and driving which may lead to DUI. The studies are awaiting peer review on this one, stay tuned.

The Right to an Independent Test in California

All states require a suspect in a drunk driving case to submit to a chemical test, breath blood or urine. In California if the arrestee chooses a breath test he also has the right to a second independent test of blood or urine in order to save a sample for retesting if he chooses. the test will be at the person's expense and is only permitted when breath is the first test. the rationale is that the breath cannot be saved and therefore if a sample is desired for retesting then a bllod or urine can be requested.