Boise DUI Lawyers, Idaho Criminal Attorneys, Boise Divorce Attorney, Idaho Family Law Lawyer, call (208) 472-2383, DUI, DWP Criminal Defense, Divorce, Custody, Family Law, Military Divorce, Military DUI.
Being charged with a DUI is one thing, but being charged with a military DUI or being a civilian and being charged with a DUI on a military base is something entirely different. Just like military divorce and custody issues, military DUI issues have additional rules and laws and therefore a military DUI will have additional consequences and penalties.
Boise DUI Lawyers who specialize in military cases are intricately familiar with the different types of cases involving the military and a DUI.
The first type of military DUI is when a member of the United States Armed Services gets a DUI off a military base. In a non-military DUI, Boise DUI Lawyers are dealing with two different aspects of the driving under the influence case. First, there is an administrative aspect, where the Boise DUI Lawyer deals with the Idaho Department of Transportation. Here, you will receive an administrative suspension of your driver's license. The second aspect of the DUI is where you and your Boise DUI Attorney go to an Idaho Court and deal with Idaho Law. Here you face the court and the state's lawyer, the prosecuting attorney, and ultimately you are convicted, plea or found not guilty to a DUI.
If you are a service member and you get a DUI, not only do you have to deal with this aspect of your driving under the influence charge, but you also have to deal with military rules and penalties. These are outlined in Article 111 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Manual for Court Martial. You are potentially on for a stiffer sentence, because in addition to state court penalties including fines, possible jail time, license suspension, alcohol evaluation, a functioning vehicle ignition interlock device and probation, you can receive additional penalties from the military court. These can include a rank reduction, pay reduction, loss of security clearance, additional fines, a reprimand or even a dishonorable discharge. There is no maximum penalty set by military law for a military DUI. There are additional penalties because the military has its own jurisdiction and just like military divorce and custody there are additional rules promulgated by the military.
A second DUI issue involving the military that Boise DUI Lawyers see is when a civilian gets a DUI on a military base. You likely will be charged in Federal Court instead of Idaho Court, but depending upon where you were charged and if there is overlapping jurisdiction you may be charged by an Idaho State Court. You will receive a letter in the mail informing you what court your case will be brought in so it is very important that you keep your eyes open for this. If it is in Idaho Court, you will need a Boise DUI Lawyer. If it is in Federal Court you will need a Boise DUI Attorney who practices in Federal Court. Even if your case is brought in Federal Court, in general Idaho Law will apply because of a principle called assimilation which allows Idaho Law to be used. The penalties in general mirror state penalties but the Federal Prosecuting Attorneys have more ability to be flexible than State Prosecuting Attorneys and consequently it can actually be easier to avoid jail time and probationary periods.
The military is a world of its own. It has its own jurisdiction as well as concurrent jurisdiction with individual states. Whether the issue is one of a criminal charge, a DUI or matters of divorce, custody or contract, to name a few, there are often special rules involving military cases.
If you have a military issue and need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer or Criminal Attorney, or a Boise Divorce Attorney or Family Law or Custody Lawyer who deals with military DUI, military criminal defense, military divorce or military family law and custody issues, please call, (208) 472-2383. You can also visit one of our websites for more information. On our website there is a quick contact form. You can fill this out and one of our Boise Divorce Attorneys, Boise DUI Lawyers or Boise Criminal Lawyers will get right back to you.
You can also visit us for more information on divorce, custody, family law, DUI, DWP and numerous crimes in Idaho.
Showing posts with label DUI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DUI. Show all posts
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyers - Boise Criminal Lawyers - DUI, Felony, Misdemeanor and Minors
Boise DUI Lawyers Attorneys, Boise Criminal Defense Lawyer Attorney, call for a free consultation, (208) 472-2383, DUI, DWP, Misdemeanor, Felony, Excessive, Minor Consumption, Criminal Defense
Boise DUI Lawyers defend individuals charged with DUI on a daily basis. A rising statistic effecting Boise DUI Lawyers is the number of underage individuals not only in possession of alcohol, but charged with Minor DUI.
What is the penalty for a DUI when the driver is under the age of 21? The Idaho Code says that it is unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with an blood alcohol concentration of .02 or greater. The bad news for underage drinking and driving is whereas someone over the age of 21 cannot be charged with a DUI unless they have a BAC of .08, a minor can be charged with a DUI for a BAC of .02 or greater
If a minor has a BAC of .08 or more, the penalty is the same as for an adult. What Boise DUI Lawyers are seeing more of is when the minor has been arrested for a DUI and their BAC is between ,02 and .08. A first time minor DUI is a misdemeanor and carries a fine of $1,000. The minor must be notified in writing at the conviction of the DUI of the penalty that will be imposed if the minor receives another DUI. They are also ordered to have an alcohol evaluation. In addition, they will receive a mandatory 1 year license suspension with 90 days of absolute suspension where no restricted driving privileges will be granted.
Another area where Boise DUI Lawyers are seeing an increase is second minor DUI. The penalty for second time minor DUI is a minimum of 5 days, but no more than 30 days in jail, a fine of at least $500 but no more than $2,000, a 2 year license suspension with 1 year absolute, to be ordered to an alcohol evaluation, to be advised in writing of penalties for a subsequent DUI and required to use a functioning ignition interlock device.
No Boise DUI Lawyer wants to see it but there are actually cases of third time minor DUI. The penalty for third time minor DUI is the same as a second time except that the jail time is increased to a minimum of 10 days, but no more that 30 days, the fine minimum is increased to $1,000 and the license suspension is absolute for 1 year and no restricted privileges are granted until they turn 21.
If you have been charged with a DUI and you need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer or have a DUI and additional crimes and need to speak to a Boise Criminal Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383.
Boise DUI Lawyers defend individuals charged with DUI on a daily basis. A rising statistic effecting Boise DUI Lawyers is the number of underage individuals not only in possession of alcohol, but charged with Minor DUI.
What is the penalty for a DUI when the driver is under the age of 21? The Idaho Code says that it is unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with an blood alcohol concentration of .02 or greater. The bad news for underage drinking and driving is whereas someone over the age of 21 cannot be charged with a DUI unless they have a BAC of .08, a minor can be charged with a DUI for a BAC of .02 or greater
If a minor has a BAC of .08 or more, the penalty is the same as for an adult. What Boise DUI Lawyers are seeing more of is when the minor has been arrested for a DUI and their BAC is between ,02 and .08. A first time minor DUI is a misdemeanor and carries a fine of $1,000. The minor must be notified in writing at the conviction of the DUI of the penalty that will be imposed if the minor receives another DUI. They are also ordered to have an alcohol evaluation. In addition, they will receive a mandatory 1 year license suspension with 90 days of absolute suspension where no restricted driving privileges will be granted.
Another area where Boise DUI Lawyers are seeing an increase is second minor DUI. The penalty for second time minor DUI is a minimum of 5 days, but no more than 30 days in jail, a fine of at least $500 but no more than $2,000, a 2 year license suspension with 1 year absolute, to be ordered to an alcohol evaluation, to be advised in writing of penalties for a subsequent DUI and required to use a functioning ignition interlock device.
No Boise DUI Lawyer wants to see it but there are actually cases of third time minor DUI. The penalty for third time minor DUI is the same as a second time except that the jail time is increased to a minimum of 10 days, but no more that 30 days, the fine minimum is increased to $1,000 and the license suspension is absolute for 1 year and no restricted privileges are granted until they turn 21.
If you have been charged with a DUI and you need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer or have a DUI and additional crimes and need to speak to a Boise Criminal Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyers - Idaho Criminal Attorneys - Field Sobriety Tests
Boise DUI Lawyers - Criminal Attorneys in Idaho - DUI, DWP, Criminal Defense, call (208) 472-2383 free consultation.
Boise DUI Lawyers are always asked what the standard field sobriety tests are and if they are valid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed three standardized tests to determine if there is probable cause to arrest an individual suspected of DUI. Standardizing the tests ensures consistency.
The three standardized tests are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn (WAT) and the One Leg Stand (OLS). These tests are used once an officer has probable cause to pull an individual over on suspicion of DUI. Once pulled over the officer administers the three standardized tests which provide the evidence for probable cause to make a DUI arrest and administer a breathalyzer test.
Boise DUI Lawyers may challenge probable cause for the initial pulling over as well as the probable cause based on the results of the field sobriety tests. Attorneys use challenges to probable cause to exclude evidence. Once the evidence is excluded the prosecuting attorney, the state's lawyer, may or may not have enough evidence to go forward to charge an individual with DUI.
The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus works on the principle of eye muscle control. An individual who has not been drinking will show rapid eye jerking when the eyes are elevated to the maximum level. An individual who is intoxicated will show these jerking movements at less elevated levels as well as will have difficulty tracking with their eyes.
The Walk and Turn test requires an individual who is suspected of drinking and driving to walk nine steps from heel to toe and turn on one foot. The officer looks for clues as the suspect performs the tests. Such clues are inability to balance while listening to the directions, inability to walk heel to toe, inability to maintain walking in a straight line and failure to turn on one foot on the ninth step. As a Boise DUI lawyer I see people fail this test all the time, but I might suggest that even a non intoxicated individual may have difficulty performing this one.
The One Leg Stand test requires an individual who is suspected of drinking and driving to stand with one foot elevated about 6 inches above the ground and count by thousands for thirty seconds. As the suspect counts, one-thousand one, one-thousand two etc, the officer looks for wobbling, swaying, hopping or putting your foot down. Two or more of these indicators, according to the NHTSA, suggests the individual has an 83% chance of having over a .08 BAC. Again, as a Boise Criminal Lawyer I see individuals charged with DUI failing this test regularly. And, again, I would suggest that most people, especially the older you get, will fail this test.
DUI officers are trained to look at the three tests individually and as a whole. When looking at the results of all three tests they get what is known as a Combined Measures. With this they look at all three tests and evaluate the likelihood that the failures of the individual tests equal a DUI.
So, these are the standardized tests to establish probable cause for arrest on DUI. Are they effective? Can they be challenged?
According to the NHTSA, when comparing percentage of those actually found to have a BAC of greater than the legal limit from 1981 v. 1998, the accuracy of the tests due to training increased substantially. In 1981, when the legal limit for driving under the influence was .1, the accuracy for field sobriety tests were: HGN - 77%, WAT - 8% and the OLS - 65%. The Combined Measures resulted in an 81% accuracy arrest for DUI. In 1998, when the legal limit had been reduced to .08, the results were: HGN - 88%, WAT - 79%, and OLS - 83%. This translates into a Combined Measure accuracy of 91%.
In light of the NHTSA accuracy statistics can a DUI Lawyer still challenge the results. Absolutely. There are many factors which can go into failing a field sobriety test. Some examples of this are medical conditions such as vertigo or eye disease. Medications which have not legally impaired your ability to drive may make your balance on one leg questionable or cause you to have light sensitivity which could effect the HGN. DUI Lawyers will ask an individual charged with driving under the influence if they have any conditions which might impair their ability to take a standardized field sobriety test, but if you are pulled over on the suspicion of DUI and have a condition which might effect you performance, you should always let the officer know.
If you have been charged with DUI in Idaho and need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383.
Boise DUI Lawyers are always asked what the standard field sobriety tests are and if they are valid. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) developed three standardized tests to determine if there is probable cause to arrest an individual suspected of DUI. Standardizing the tests ensures consistency.
The three standardized tests are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn (WAT) and the One Leg Stand (OLS). These tests are used once an officer has probable cause to pull an individual over on suspicion of DUI. Once pulled over the officer administers the three standardized tests which provide the evidence for probable cause to make a DUI arrest and administer a breathalyzer test.
Boise DUI Lawyers may challenge probable cause for the initial pulling over as well as the probable cause based on the results of the field sobriety tests. Attorneys use challenges to probable cause to exclude evidence. Once the evidence is excluded the prosecuting attorney, the state's lawyer, may or may not have enough evidence to go forward to charge an individual with DUI.
The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus works on the principle of eye muscle control. An individual who has not been drinking will show rapid eye jerking when the eyes are elevated to the maximum level. An individual who is intoxicated will show these jerking movements at less elevated levels as well as will have difficulty tracking with their eyes.
The Walk and Turn test requires an individual who is suspected of drinking and driving to walk nine steps from heel to toe and turn on one foot. The officer looks for clues as the suspect performs the tests. Such clues are inability to balance while listening to the directions, inability to walk heel to toe, inability to maintain walking in a straight line and failure to turn on one foot on the ninth step. As a Boise DUI lawyer I see people fail this test all the time, but I might suggest that even a non intoxicated individual may have difficulty performing this one.
The One Leg Stand test requires an individual who is suspected of drinking and driving to stand with one foot elevated about 6 inches above the ground and count by thousands for thirty seconds. As the suspect counts, one-thousand one, one-thousand two etc, the officer looks for wobbling, swaying, hopping or putting your foot down. Two or more of these indicators, according to the NHTSA, suggests the individual has an 83% chance of having over a .08 BAC. Again, as a Boise Criminal Lawyer I see individuals charged with DUI failing this test regularly. And, again, I would suggest that most people, especially the older you get, will fail this test.
DUI officers are trained to look at the three tests individually and as a whole. When looking at the results of all three tests they get what is known as a Combined Measures. With this they look at all three tests and evaluate the likelihood that the failures of the individual tests equal a DUI.
So, these are the standardized tests to establish probable cause for arrest on DUI. Are they effective? Can they be challenged?
According to the NHTSA, when comparing percentage of those actually found to have a BAC of greater than the legal limit from 1981 v. 1998, the accuracy of the tests due to training increased substantially. In 1981, when the legal limit for driving under the influence was .1, the accuracy for field sobriety tests were: HGN - 77%, WAT - 8% and the OLS - 65%. The Combined Measures resulted in an 81% accuracy arrest for DUI. In 1998, when the legal limit had been reduced to .08, the results were: HGN - 88%, WAT - 79%, and OLS - 83%. This translates into a Combined Measure accuracy of 91%.
In light of the NHTSA accuracy statistics can a DUI Lawyer still challenge the results. Absolutely. There are many factors which can go into failing a field sobriety test. Some examples of this are medical conditions such as vertigo or eye disease. Medications which have not legally impaired your ability to drive may make your balance on one leg questionable or cause you to have light sensitivity which could effect the HGN. DUI Lawyers will ask an individual charged with driving under the influence if they have any conditions which might impair their ability to take a standardized field sobriety test, but if you are pulled over on the suspicion of DUI and have a condition which might effect you performance, you should always let the officer know.
If you have been charged with DUI in Idaho and need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyers - Boise Criminal Lawyers - DUI and Criminal Charges in the News
Almost everyday for the last few weeks the local newspaper has reported on a series of DUI or felony charges in Boise. Is there an increase in DUI and felony charges or are they being reported because of their extreme nature or to fill space? Boise DUI Lawyers and Boise Criminal Lawyers see a steady stream of DUI and felony charges in Boise and the reporting in the paper does not necessarily indicate an uptick in the number of DUI and felony charges in Boise.
In yesterday's paper, for example, it was reported that on Sunday a citizen reported that a car had hit a stop sign in Boise. After finding the vehicle police reported that a bag was thrown out of the passenger window. They later recovered the bag which contained a six-pack of beer, but the bottles had all broken. Because the police could not tell how many of the bottles were consumed or open in the car, the passenger with destruction of evidence. The driver was charged with DUI, eluding the police and a felony parole violation.
Boise Criminal Lawyers and Boise DUI Lawyers can tell you that it is often the case that when someone is arrested for DUI or on a criminal charge that they are charged with multiple charges. This sometimes is due to the nature of the crime. Drug possession and paraphernalia, for example often go hand in hand. Sometimes it is the case that the offender has already been in trouble and by participating in criminal activity they are getting themselves in deeper. Sometimes the police will charge both what they see as the actual crime as well as a lessor included crime. This prevents the case from being dismissed if only the lessor crime is charged and not the actual crime.
If you have been charged with a DUI or a crime in Idaho and you need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer or a Boise Criminal Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383
In yesterday's paper, for example, it was reported that on Sunday a citizen reported that a car had hit a stop sign in Boise. After finding the vehicle police reported that a bag was thrown out of the passenger window. They later recovered the bag which contained a six-pack of beer, but the bottles had all broken. Because the police could not tell how many of the bottles were consumed or open in the car, the passenger with destruction of evidence. The driver was charged with DUI, eluding the police and a felony parole violation.
Boise Criminal Lawyers and Boise DUI Lawyers can tell you that it is often the case that when someone is arrested for DUI or on a criminal charge that they are charged with multiple charges. This sometimes is due to the nature of the crime. Drug possession and paraphernalia, for example often go hand in hand. Sometimes it is the case that the offender has already been in trouble and by participating in criminal activity they are getting themselves in deeper. Sometimes the police will charge both what they see as the actual crime as well as a lessor included crime. This prevents the case from being dismissed if only the lessor crime is charged and not the actual crime.
If you have been charged with a DUI or a crime in Idaho and you need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer or a Boise Criminal Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyer Discusses Felony DUI and Personal Injury
Today's paper outlined a felony DUI accident which occurred in Boise on Tuesday. The driver blew a .224 and had a previous DUI in 2009. She was also cited for DWP. She was charged with a felony DUI because this is her second DUI within 5 years and she had a BAC of greater than .2. A BAC of .2 or greater is considered an excessive DUI. She undoubtedly lost her driving privileges as a result of her 2009 DUI conviction and, because she was driving on a suspended license, was charged also with a DWP.
What penalty is she potentially facing? A second time excessive DUI is a felony and carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail but up to 5 years in prison. The person convicted of a felony DUI can also be fined up to $5,000 and be required to use a motor vehicle equipped with functioning ignition interlock system. In addition they must surrender their license and it will be suspended for a minimum of 1 year but no more than 5 years beginning upon their release from incarceration.
In addition to the DUI penalty she faces additional criminal penalties associated with the DWP. DWP carries a penalty of up to 6 months in jail, but with a mandatory minimum of 2 days, up to a $1,000 fine, and an additional license suspension of 6 months tacked onto the original suspension and beginning once the original suspension would have been ended.
This is a tough penalty but as a Boise lawyer I can tell you that if the driver she hit suffered a personal injury, in addition to felony criminal charges, she also could be sued for any personal injury surrounding the automobile accident.
Personal injury is a civil liability case but a Personal injury attorney can use the evidence of the DUI against the driver. Personal injury lawyers use evidence offered in DUI convictions to show that the automobile accident occurred as a result of DUI. The state's lawyers, the prosecuting attorneys, use the evidence collected by the police to convict a person of a DUI, whereas personal injury attorneys use the evidence to get a civil judgment.
What penalty is she potentially facing? A second time excessive DUI is a felony and carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail but up to 5 years in prison. The person convicted of a felony DUI can also be fined up to $5,000 and be required to use a motor vehicle equipped with functioning ignition interlock system. In addition they must surrender their license and it will be suspended for a minimum of 1 year but no more than 5 years beginning upon their release from incarceration.
In addition to the DUI penalty she faces additional criminal penalties associated with the DWP. DWP carries a penalty of up to 6 months in jail, but with a mandatory minimum of 2 days, up to a $1,000 fine, and an additional license suspension of 6 months tacked onto the original suspension and beginning once the original suspension would have been ended.
This is a tough penalty but as a Boise lawyer I can tell you that if the driver she hit suffered a personal injury, in addition to felony criminal charges, she also could be sued for any personal injury surrounding the automobile accident.
Personal injury is a civil liability case but a Personal injury attorney can use the evidence of the DUI against the driver. Personal injury lawyers use evidence offered in DUI convictions to show that the automobile accident occurred as a result of DUI. The state's lawyers, the prosecuting attorneys, use the evidence collected by the police to convict a person of a DUI, whereas personal injury attorneys use the evidence to get a civil judgment.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyers Keep Close Watch on Senate Bill 61
Changes in Idaho Law are on the horizon for Boise Criminal Lawyers and for those charged with DUI. Yesterday in Boise, the Idaho State Senate returned Senate Bill 61 to the Idaho House of Representatives. The Bill was proposed to amend Idaho Code 18-8002(4)(a) which outlines the penalty if an individual who refuses to take a breathalyzer test after a DUI stop. Currently the Idaho Code section states that if you are stopped on suspicion of a DUI and you refuse to blow the arresting officer is to immediately take your license and issue a temporary paper license. The temporary license is only valid until you have an administrative hearing about your refusal to blow on the DUI stop. If you fail to request the hearing or are found to be unjustified in your refusal to blow, your license is suspended by the Idaho Department of Transportation.
The amendment was proposed for administrative purposes. Currently, the arresting officer on a DUI must take the license, issues a paper license, get the license to the proper place to store the license and have the appropriate paper work so that the license can be returned at the appropriate time. This causes a questionable loophole if the officer fails to take the license at the time of the DUI stop as well as creates a license custody headache and unnecessary expense managing the actual physical suspended licenses. The amendment would remove the necessity of the arresting officer to take physical control of the actual license on a DUI stop. The person pulled over on suspicion of DUI would still have their license suspended but it would remove the administrative removal and subsequent paperwork involved.
The Senate Bill was returned to the House for clarification but it is likely to be passed in the next few days.
If you have been arrested on DUI charges and need to speak with a Boise DUI Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383
The amendment was proposed for administrative purposes. Currently, the arresting officer on a DUI must take the license, issues a paper license, get the license to the proper place to store the license and have the appropriate paper work so that the license can be returned at the appropriate time. This causes a questionable loophole if the officer fails to take the license at the time of the DUI stop as well as creates a license custody headache and unnecessary expense managing the actual physical suspended licenses. The amendment would remove the necessity of the arresting officer to take physical control of the actual license on a DUI stop. The person pulled over on suspicion of DUI would still have their license suspended but it would remove the administrative removal and subsequent paperwork involved.
The Senate Bill was returned to the House for clarification but it is likely to be passed in the next few days.
If you have been arrested on DUI charges and need to speak with a Boise DUI Lawyer, please call (208) 472-2383
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Boise Criminal Attorney Discusses Larceny
As a Boise Criminal Attorney I often get calls from people who have been charged with larceny. Larceny is the crime of theft.
Last week I got a telephone call from a young man who was charged with larceny. He had switched a price tag and tried to purchase a Walmart boxed stereo for a whoppingly reduced price. Using a "clearance" price tag, the young man took the stereo to the check out where he was apprehended.
He wanted to know if he had any defense to the crime. He said that he had just gone through divorce and a custody battle, he was recently charged with a DUI and he had no money. On top of it all he said he was just joking around. He was offering information for me to find a criminal defense for him. No such luck. According to Idaho Code, if you switch price tags to get a lessor price that is theft.
I have talked to other Boise attorneys and specifically other Boise Criminal Lawyers who have had the exact same type of telephone call. Many lawyers, however, say that these particular calls are becoming less because of the use of computer pricing, but many attorneys say they still hear it enough to know that that particular theft law is not out-dated.
As a Boise Criminal Attorney I can tell you if you intend to get a lessor price for something and you do something to make it appear that the lessor price is the price it is theft and even though it is sad, divorce or a child custody battle, a DUI, lack of money or joking around do not make a criminal defense.
Last week I got a telephone call from a young man who was charged with larceny. He had switched a price tag and tried to purchase a Walmart boxed stereo for a whoppingly reduced price. Using a "clearance" price tag, the young man took the stereo to the check out where he was apprehended.
He wanted to know if he had any defense to the crime. He said that he had just gone through divorce and a custody battle, he was recently charged with a DUI and he had no money. On top of it all he said he was just joking around. He was offering information for me to find a criminal defense for him. No such luck. According to Idaho Code, if you switch price tags to get a lessor price that is theft.
I have talked to other Boise attorneys and specifically other Boise Criminal Lawyers who have had the exact same type of telephone call. Many lawyers, however, say that these particular calls are becoming less because of the use of computer pricing, but many attorneys say they still hear it enough to know that that particular theft law is not out-dated.
As a Boise Criminal Attorney I can tell you if you intend to get a lessor price for something and you do something to make it appear that the lessor price is the price it is theft and even though it is sad, divorce or a child custody battle, a DUI, lack of money or joking around do not make a criminal defense.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyer Talks About Lost BAC Results
Believe it or not, evidence gets lost. Blood alcohol concentrations are key evidence for prosecutors. As a Boise DUI Lawyer, I feel it is important to challenge a DUI on a variety of grounds but especially if the prosecutor or the police have lost your BAC. Also, as a Boise DUI Lawyer I think that if your BAC has gone missing and then suddenly reappears, that you have a good challenge to the chain of custody. If your BAC was missing and then comes back, who knows what happened to it, who had control of it and what possible alteration could have been made to it while it was gone. If you are charged with a DUI, make certain your attorney looks for evidenciary challenges such as these. A lost BAC could mean the difference between a DUI and a lesser charge.
If you need more information on DUI please also visit www.duiboiseid.com
If you need more information on DUI please also visit www.duiboiseid.com
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyer Talks About Aggravated Driving Under the Influence
As a Boise DUI Lawyer I feel one of the saddest parts of my job is when someone is charged with aggravated driving under the influence. This is a difficult charge because what it means is that someone was driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substance and caused great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement to another.
The penalty for aggravated driving under the influence is very serious. This is a felony charge. You can be sentenced to prison for up to 15 years and ordered to pay a fine of up to $5,000. In addition, you will lose your license, beginning upon your release, for up to five years. You will also be ordered to pay restitution.
If that weren't enough, Idaho law allows any evidence of your conviction to be used in a civil proceeding against you. A "conviction" for the purposes of this code section not only includes if you are found guilty but if you plea or get a withheld judgment.
If you need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer call or an Idaho Criminal Attorney, (208) 472-2383 or visit us on the web at www.lawboiseid.com or www.duiboiseid.com
The penalty for aggravated driving under the influence is very serious. This is a felony charge. You can be sentenced to prison for up to 15 years and ordered to pay a fine of up to $5,000. In addition, you will lose your license, beginning upon your release, for up to five years. You will also be ordered to pay restitution.
If that weren't enough, Idaho law allows any evidence of your conviction to be used in a civil proceeding against you. A "conviction" for the purposes of this code section not only includes if you are found guilty but if you plea or get a withheld judgment.
If you need to speak to a Boise DUI Lawyer call or an Idaho Criminal Attorney, (208) 472-2383 or visit us on the web at www.lawboiseid.com or www.duiboiseid.com
Monday, January 3, 2011
Boise DUI Lawyer Discusses Breathalyzer
As a Boise DUI Lawyer part of my job is to make certain that my clients are not convicted of a crime when their rights have been violated. Part of the evidence that goes into a DUI conviction in Idaho is evidence of a BAC of .08 or greater as measured by a breathalyzer. There are many ways to challenge a breathalyzer reading but today I am going to discuss the defense of burping.
As a Boise DUI Lawyer burping is my favorite defense. I know it sounds silly that you could throw a DUI out in Idaho with the defense of burping. It is true, however. If you burped within 15 minutes of blowing you can challenge the BAC reading on the breathalyzer. It all has to do with the way the breathalyzer works and how it reads the concentration of alcohol in your system.
If you are charged with a DUI in Idaho make certain you tell your Boise DUI Lawyer if you burped before you blew.
For more information about DUI in Idaho or to schedule an appointment with a Boise DUI Lawyer please visit www.lawboiseid.com or call (208) 472-2383 today.
As a Boise DUI Lawyer burping is my favorite defense. I know it sounds silly that you could throw a DUI out in Idaho with the defense of burping. It is true, however. If you burped within 15 minutes of blowing you can challenge the BAC reading on the breathalyzer. It all has to do with the way the breathalyzer works and how it reads the concentration of alcohol in your system.
If you are charged with a DUI in Idaho make certain you tell your Boise DUI Lawyer if you burped before you blew.
For more information about DUI in Idaho or to schedule an appointment with a Boise DUI Lawyer please visit www.lawboiseid.com or call (208) 472-2383 today.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Boise DUI Lawyer Talks About DUI Statistics
As a Boise DUI Lawyer I have spoken frequently about the increase in the number of DUI arrests around the holidays. Interestingly in today's Idaho Statesman, there was an article outlining the numbers for Idaho DUI arrests, crashes and fatalities. In addition, the article discussed the increase in the number of excessive DUI arrests. An excessive DUI is when the BAC of the individual is .20 or higher.
The statistics showed that the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Idaho have increased and the crashes and fatalities have decreased. In 2005 Boise Police and Idaho State Police arrested 9,072 people in Idaho for driving under the influence. There were 1,952 DUI crashes that year and 100 fatalities. By 2009 the number of DUI arrests had increased to 12,327. The number of crashes associated with driving under the influence decreased to 1,567 and the death rate decreased to 65.
While those number represent a decrease in accidents and deaths and an increase in arrests, something disturbing is on the rise. The statistics show that Boise Police and Idaho State Police are steadily increasing the number of individuals they arrest for excessive DUI. Boise Police and Idaho State Police arrested 279 individuals and cited them for excessive DUI in 2006 in Ada County. That number has increased to 384 to date and there are still two weeks of the year left.
As a Boise DUI Lawyer I walk that fine line of excessive DUI with my clients, particularly when they have blown barely a .20. The penalty for excessive DUI is so much greater than a regular driving under the influence charge. While I never condone drinking and driving, it is my responsibility as an Idaho Criminal Attorney to preserve an individual's rights. Because the statistics show that the calibration of breathylzers are not 100% accurate there is always that possibility that an individual arrested for excessive DUI may not have actually had .20 BAC. As a Idaho Criminal Attorney, I would not recommend that you not blow when you are pulled over, but when someone is so close to an excessive DUI a blood draw would give a more accurate BAC. As a Boise DUI Lawyer, I recommend that every excessive DUI charge be challenged at the very minimum on a calibration technicality. I want to stress again, however, that I am in no way advocating driving under the influence. My suggestion to challenge the excessive DUI comes from my role as a defender of your rights. My role as a Boise DUI Lawyer and an Idaho Criminal Attorney is to represent my clients in such a way that they are not convicted of a crime by false evidence or an illegal violation of their rights.
For more information concerning DUI in Idaho visit www.lawboiseid.com or call (208) 472-2383.
The statistics showed that the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Idaho have increased and the crashes and fatalities have decreased. In 2005 Boise Police and Idaho State Police arrested 9,072 people in Idaho for driving under the influence. There were 1,952 DUI crashes that year and 100 fatalities. By 2009 the number of DUI arrests had increased to 12,327. The number of crashes associated with driving under the influence decreased to 1,567 and the death rate decreased to 65.
While those number represent a decrease in accidents and deaths and an increase in arrests, something disturbing is on the rise. The statistics show that Boise Police and Idaho State Police are steadily increasing the number of individuals they arrest for excessive DUI. Boise Police and Idaho State Police arrested 279 individuals and cited them for excessive DUI in 2006 in Ada County. That number has increased to 384 to date and there are still two weeks of the year left.
As a Boise DUI Lawyer I walk that fine line of excessive DUI with my clients, particularly when they have blown barely a .20. The penalty for excessive DUI is so much greater than a regular driving under the influence charge. While I never condone drinking and driving, it is my responsibility as an Idaho Criminal Attorney to preserve an individual's rights. Because the statistics show that the calibration of breathylzers are not 100% accurate there is always that possibility that an individual arrested for excessive DUI may not have actually had .20 BAC. As a Idaho Criminal Attorney, I would not recommend that you not blow when you are pulled over, but when someone is so close to an excessive DUI a blood draw would give a more accurate BAC. As a Boise DUI Lawyer, I recommend that every excessive DUI charge be challenged at the very minimum on a calibration technicality. I want to stress again, however, that I am in no way advocating driving under the influence. My suggestion to challenge the excessive DUI comes from my role as a defender of your rights. My role as a Boise DUI Lawyer and an Idaho Criminal Attorney is to represent my clients in such a way that they are not convicted of a crime by false evidence or an illegal violation of their rights.
For more information concerning DUI in Idaho visit www.lawboiseid.com or call (208) 472-2383.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Boise DUI Lawyer Talks About Holiday DUI
As a Boise DUI Lawyer I see a rise in DUI this time of year. There are a couple of reasons for this. Obviously, the holidays bring more partying and the result is more intoxicated drivers on the roads in Idaho. The other reason is that the police in Idaho are more actively looking for intoxicated drivers. Along with an increase in DUI there is a corresponding increase in DWP. The reason for this is that once you receive a DUI you will have your license suspended. The number of repeat DUI also increases during the holiday. If you have previously had a DUI and you have a suspended license and you drive, if you are pulled over for any driving offense, you will get a DWP in addition to your DUI.
Play it safe and designate a driver. If you get a DUI or DWP, call the experts at Kershisnik Law, (208) 472-2383 or visit us on the web at www.lawboiseid.com
Play it safe and designate a driver. If you get a DUI or DWP, call the experts at Kershisnik Law, (208) 472-2383 or visit us on the web at www.lawboiseid.com
Monday, November 15, 2010
DUI Alcohol and/or Drugs
The DUI used to be known as a DWI, but it was changed because you can be charged with driving under the influence of drugs. Although DWI also pertained to driving under the influence of drugs, it literally meant driving while intoxicated.
As an Idaho Criminal Attorney I often hear from people who are confused about this fact. They will get pulled over and sited with a DUI when they hadn't been drinking. Upon further questioning, they often will admit that they were under the influence of drugs.
Idaho Code 18-8004 states that it is unlawful for someone under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicating substance to operate a motor vehicle. Even if your blood alcohol level is below .08 you can be cited with a DUI if you have drugs in your system.
If you have been charged with drunk driving or drugged driving or for more information about DUI and drug charges visit www.lawboiseid.com or www.duiboiseid.com
As an Idaho Criminal Attorney I often hear from people who are confused about this fact. They will get pulled over and sited with a DUI when they hadn't been drinking. Upon further questioning, they often will admit that they were under the influence of drugs.
Idaho Code 18-8004 states that it is unlawful for someone under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicating substance to operate a motor vehicle. Even if your blood alcohol level is below .08 you can be cited with a DUI if you have drugs in your system.
If you have been charged with drunk driving or drugged driving or for more information about DUI and drug charges visit www.lawboiseid.com or www.duiboiseid.com
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Idaho Criminal Attorney Discusses DUI Traffic Stop
Many people don't know what constitutes probable cause for a DUI traffic stop. As and Idaho criminal attorney I hear the statement, "the police had no reason to pull me over" all the time. Whether the the police can pull you over or not depends upon reasonable cause. The police must have reasonable suspicion based upon their own actual observation of a person's questionable or unusual behavior to make a traffic stop for DUI.
I have seen an Idaho criminal attorney or two try to argue that swerving within your lane, for example, is not probable cause as long as you don't cross the dotted lines because that is not a crime in Idaho, but this Idaho criminal attorney believes that trying your case based solely upon that as a defense is a sure way to lose. The police are trained and know the tell tale signs of drunk driving. That is not to say, however, that the police cannot be mistaken. If, for instance, you have a medical condition or you lost your shoe while driving, you may have swerved within your lane, but that does not change the fact that the police observed unusual driving behavior. This first stop sets the stage for the police to further determine whether or not you are a candidate for a DUI. The question to challenge the initial stop has to be did the police have probable cause? If they stop you, don't smell alcohol on your breath and find that you pass field sobriety tests, then you are free to go and no constitutional right has been violated.
There are many ways to challenge a DUI but unless you did absolutely nothing and you can show that, the police are trained to give the information they need to to show that they had probable cause for the initial traffic stop.
For more information concerning DUI in Idaho please visit, www.duiboiseid.com or www.lawboiseid.com
I have seen an Idaho criminal attorney or two try to argue that swerving within your lane, for example, is not probable cause as long as you don't cross the dotted lines because that is not a crime in Idaho, but this Idaho criminal attorney believes that trying your case based solely upon that as a defense is a sure way to lose. The police are trained and know the tell tale signs of drunk driving. That is not to say, however, that the police cannot be mistaken. If, for instance, you have a medical condition or you lost your shoe while driving, you may have swerved within your lane, but that does not change the fact that the police observed unusual driving behavior. This first stop sets the stage for the police to further determine whether or not you are a candidate for a DUI. The question to challenge the initial stop has to be did the police have probable cause? If they stop you, don't smell alcohol on your breath and find that you pass field sobriety tests, then you are free to go and no constitutional right has been violated.
There are many ways to challenge a DUI but unless you did absolutely nothing and you can show that, the police are trained to give the information they need to to show that they had probable cause for the initial traffic stop.
For more information concerning DUI in Idaho please visit, www.duiboiseid.com or www.lawboiseid.com
Monday, November 1, 2010
Idaho Criminal Attorney - DUI Challenges - Breathalyzer Accuracy
According to David J. Hanson, Ph.D, 23% of those people who take a breathalyzer test end up with inaccurate results. Not only are the test results inaccurate but the Blood Alcohol Concentration register about 15% higher than they actually are.
What does this mean for someone charged with a DUI? As an Idaho Criminal Attorney I can tell you it can mean a huge difference. If you are at that fine line just below or just above legally drunk (BAC of .08 or greater) it can mean the difference between a DUI and a inattentive or reckless driving charge. If you are at that line between an excessive DUI (BAC of .20 or higher) and a standard DUI it can make the difference between prison and jail, not to mention much longer license suspensions and greater fine amount.
So how do you challenge a breathalyzer? There are many arguments that can be made depending upon the evidence in the possession of the police and the prosecutor. Some challenges require an expert. The example I gave above about inaccurate results would require an expert to testify about the validity of breathalyzer results. Some examples of successful challenges of the evidence that I have made as an Idaho Criminal Attorney challenging DUI charges against my clients are:
- The breathalyzer was not properly maintained; failure to calibrate or clean
- The police administered the test incorrectly; failure to warm up machine
- The officer was improperly trained or qualified
- The result was affected by a characteristic of the driver such as asthma,
burping, hyperventilation
- The test was administered after the driver used mouthwash, a strong breath mint or used lip balm or oil
- The driver was in the presence of paint, gasoline, varnish or other strong fumes
This evidence won't necessarily relieve you of your DUI charge or subsequent conviction. This is because the police use more evidence than just the breathalyzer to evaluate whether you have been driving under the influence. Field sobriety tests, for example, are supposed to be the criteria which the police use to determine if they need to administer a breathalyzer test. These types of challenges, however, can be useful in lessening the extent of the penalty and potentially the charge against you.
For more information concerning DUI, driving under the influence, please visit www.lawboiseid.com
What does this mean for someone charged with a DUI? As an Idaho Criminal Attorney I can tell you it can mean a huge difference. If you are at that fine line just below or just above legally drunk (BAC of .08 or greater) it can mean the difference between a DUI and a inattentive or reckless driving charge. If you are at that line between an excessive DUI (BAC of .20 or higher) and a standard DUI it can make the difference between prison and jail, not to mention much longer license suspensions and greater fine amount.
So how do you challenge a breathalyzer? There are many arguments that can be made depending upon the evidence in the possession of the police and the prosecutor. Some challenges require an expert. The example I gave above about inaccurate results would require an expert to testify about the validity of breathalyzer results. Some examples of successful challenges of the evidence that I have made as an Idaho Criminal Attorney challenging DUI charges against my clients are:
- The breathalyzer was not properly maintained; failure to calibrate or clean
- The police administered the test incorrectly; failure to warm up machine
- The officer was improperly trained or qualified
- The result was affected by a characteristic of the driver such as asthma,
burping, hyperventilation
- The test was administered after the driver used mouthwash, a strong breath mint or used lip balm or oil
- The driver was in the presence of paint, gasoline, varnish or other strong fumes
This evidence won't necessarily relieve you of your DUI charge or subsequent conviction. This is because the police use more evidence than just the breathalyzer to evaluate whether you have been driving under the influence. Field sobriety tests, for example, are supposed to be the criteria which the police use to determine if they need to administer a breathalyzer test. These types of challenges, however, can be useful in lessening the extent of the penalty and potentially the charge against you.
For more information concerning DUI, driving under the influence, please visit www.lawboiseid.com
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