Donte Stallworth Happy DUI is Behind Him

WESTMINSTER, Md. — Donte’ Stallworth is playing professional football again for the first time since December 2008.

The new Baltimore Ravens wide receiver donned shoulder pads on Friday, his first action since pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter last year.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Stallworth said that he intends to “move forward” and “try to continue my life as a I know it.”

In March 2009, the former Cleveland Browns standout was driving in Florida when his car struck and killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. Stallworth served 24 days in jail and was suspended by the NFL for the entire 2009 season.

Stallworth said he will never forget what happened, but hopes be remembered for something other than what he termed “the situation.”

From a fantasy football perspective the addition of Stallworth as well as Boldin should only open things up for Ravens QB Joe Flacco and even star back Ray Rice as well. While quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Schaub, Phil Rivers, Tony Romo, Tom Brady and even Brett Favre will be drafted in all 2010 fantasy leagues before Flacco you can get some really good value on him in rounds 5-7 if you decide to draft backs, receivers and/or a star tight end in the first 4 rounds.

Been arrested for DUI? Contact a drunk driving lawyer for a free consultation before its to late.

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Daytona Beach DUI/Criminal Defense Law Firm

Have you been arrested for DUI in Daytona Beach, Florida? If so, you are going to need a lawyer and Musca Law is your answer.

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The attorneys at Musca Law have a proven track record, over 100 years combined experience and offer a free initial consultation to go over your DUI or other criminal charge. They can help you if have been charged with drunk driving in Daytona or elsewhere in Florida. Call 386-341-9882 today to get the process of protecting your rights started!

Although your initial case evaluation can be conducted over the phone, if you prefer to meet in person use the map below for directions:

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Not only can Musca Law help you with your criminal DUI charge, but they have time and time again been successful with administrative DUI charges (early license suspension). You would be a fool not to contact the Daytona Beach DUI lawyers at Musca law for a free consultation if charged with DUI anywhere in Florida. They truly are Florida’s best DUI law firm. Dial 386-341-9882 now.

What is an ignition interlcock device?

An ignition interlock device (IID), aka breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BIID) is a device that requires the testing of a drivers blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to start and continue drive a vehicle. The IID will not allow the car to start if the driver’s BAC concentration is over the programmed limit; which is usually .04 except in cases of multiple DUIs or DUI manslaughter/intoxication assault where the IID may require a .01 BAC or below. The device also requires breath samples at random times while driving to prevent others from taking the test for them.

Will I have to install an ignition interlock device in my car?

It’s unlikely if this is your first offense, but likely if this is your second or greater. Some states have it as possibility for a first offense only if you ,for example, caused injury or property damage, some states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Illinois and Louisiana require it for a first time offense in order to avoid license suspension and other states do not have it as a possibility for a first time offense; as I stated above it is likely you will have to install a IID if you are convicted of DUI 2 or more time. Every state now has it as a possibility for 2 o more offenses. Other states, such as Florida, are now allowing 4th time offenders to drive again with a IID installed. If you have been accused and not yet convicted of DUI/DWI I would recommend you talk to a drunk driving lawyer in your state about your situation.

Do I have to pay to have one installed?

Yes. Installation and other charges can be quite expensive actually. Installation commonly costs around $200 and you will be required to pay a monthly fee of around $100, for any maintenance expenses and calibration fees every 1-2 months of $50 or more. Failure to have the device calibrated at it’s scheduled time can be considered a violation of probation. In some states DUI fees can be applied to the expenses of the IID and in some states they cannot.

Lindsay Lohan in Jail For Violating DUI Probation

Lindsay Lohan has turned herself in at a Beverly Hills court house  to serve her prison sentence. She remained calm throughout the proceedings, where she was ordered to begin her sentence of 90 days for violating probation on previous DUI and related convictions. TMZ and other media outlets have reported she will likely serve no more than 23 days.

Judge Marsha Revel prohibited photography of Lohan being taken into custody. She will serve her sentence at the Lynwood Correctional Facility, the same lock-up where Paris Hilton did time in 2007 for a probation violation.

Famed attorney Robert Shapiro stepped down as Lohan’s lawyer yesterday for unknown reasons. Shawn Chapman Holley returned as Lohan’s lawyer after resigning from the case earlier this month.

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I was arrested for drunk driving in Chicago. Will I get the bail I posted back?

90% of it. The bond money posted is just a temporary hold until your case is concluded. The same would stand true if you had been arrested for any other crime and been bonded out. In Illinois and many other states the money will automatically go towards your fines if you are convicted or plead guilty. However, I strongly encourage anyone accused of DUI in Chicago to fight the charge. You may not know it, but the prosecution probably doesn’t have enough on you.

Accused of DUI in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois? Visit the Illinois DUI Attorney directory. Schedule a free consultation and learn the facts about what you’re up against.

Sarasota, FL DUI Lawyers

Have you been arrested for a criminal offense in or near Sarasota, FL? If you have and are feeling confused this is understandable. The best thing you can do is promptly contact a Florida criminal defense attorney. Any questions you may have about your arrest and your options from here can be answered free of charge (in person or by phone) by the Sarasota DUI and criminal defense attorneys at Musca Law.

Musca Law: Sarasota DUI/Criminal Defense Law Firm:
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1990 Main St., Suite 750
Sarastota, FL 34236
Phone:  941-309-5231 – Phones Answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
Fax:  866-687-2288
Free consultation!
Directions.

Important: From the time of a DUI arrest in North Port, Venice, Longboat Key, Sarasota or elsewhere in Florida you have only 10 days to schedule a license review hearing. Otherwise your license will be automatically suspended.

Driving While Famous: Why Are More Stars Getting Busted for DUI?

Over the past few months, “American Pie” star Chris Klein, “Melrose Place” alum Amy Locane, Motley Crue’s Vince Neil, “The Hills’” Jason Wahler and Stephanie Pratt, and Joyce DeWitt from “Three’s Company” have joined the ranks of Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and soon-to-be jailbird Lindsay Lohan, who have been busted for exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit while driving.

So is there a rational explanation behind this sudden surge in sloppy stars getting behind the wheel? Or is it just that there are more strategies now in place to catch them in the act?

“There has been a prominent step up in law enforcement, a lot more people calling in to report drunk drivers and a lot more DUI checkpoints,” Southern California DUI attorney, Neil Shouse, told Pop Tarts. “The California Highway Patrol has also become much more aggressive, and the LAPD has dedicated a lot more of its federal funding to combating the incidence of drunk driving. There is more chance of anyone in metro LA getting caught, not just celebrities.”

A rep from the LAPD confirmed that in recent years the California office of traffic safety and the national highway traffic safety administration have had an increase in funding, and have consequently implemented more DUI and sobriety checkpoints.

Sadly, it is most often these well-paid showbiz types who are not only able to afford to take cabs, but also have bodyguards/assistants/entourages available to chauffeur them. Kiefer Sutherland, for example, who was busted back in 2007 for blowing above the legal limit, declined the offer of a personal driver on the night he was caught.

“Celebrities are now more likely to drink to perhaps escape the daily public scrutiny from their fans and the media,” explained New Jersey attorney, Darren Del Sardo. “The world is fascinated with people of notoriety failing at something.”

According to Ray Campos, DUI instructor/counselor at the East LA Alcoholism Council, excessive consumption of alcohol almost always originates from childhood.

“Celebrities can’t have a social event without alcohol. Alcohol abuse comes from childhood, and it could have been mom and dad, or perhaps their peers, but nobody was born with alcohol in their mouth,” he said. “It’s something you learn, and it’s a behavior, but they should learn to overcome it.”

Yet those with a prominent public profile still continue to take the risk, knowing that it could cost them their career, their life, or the life of someone else. But even if they weighed the prospect of getting nabbed by officials, many are under the impression that their star power is potent enough to negate the law.

“Stars often see themselves as having a sense of immunity and a very dangerous false sense of security,” Shouse noted.

It also seems there are some stars that take a little pride in their county jail mug shot  and the sudden onslaught of attention.

“There is a breed of young star who, seeing the press Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan generate from their legal problems, somehow believes any publicity is somehow good publicity,” entertainment reporter Scott Huver said.

However, the troubled Tinseltowner at the center of the controversy apparently isn’t always the only one to be thrust into the limelight.

“An arrest of a celebrity seems to give the officer 15 minutes of fame.  The interest of gaining publicity may also exceed any interest to protect any confidentiality the celebrity may maintain,” said Del Sardo.

Nonetheless, a rep from LAPD assured us that “celebrities are treated just like anyone else.”

“Anyone that thinks about getting behind the wheel and driving should think twice. The message is simple: don’t drink and drive. That applies to everyone, not just celebrities. Everyone, and they’re all treated the same,” said the spokesperson.

Still, Campos believes that, with a few exceptions, if one has the coveted “celebrity status” they are indeed given preferential treatment.

“There are a lot of celebrities that get caught with DUI yet they don’t get punished the same was as a regular guy or regular woman. They’re easy on them,” Campos said. “They should be tougher on them because it could teach them that being in a cell alone is a wake up call.”

One thing is for sure – a DUI in 2010 can have a pretty adverse impact on one’s public persona, and is no longer a laughing matter, a lesson Lindsay Lohan learned the hard way last Tuesday when she was slapped with her own wake up call: 90 days in prison as the consequence of violating her terms of probation stemming from her 2007 DUI arrests.

“There’s an even greater microscope leveled on any star that’s had a brush with the law, with their lifestyles and their sincerity given much greater scrutiny,” Huver added. “Drunk driving has also been taken far more seriously in the past 20 years: gone are the days when Johnny Carson won back his audience’s heart by joking about his own DUI.”

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WKYT: Family is Using Loss to Help Pass DUI Laws

Destiny Brewer’s family is using the loss to urge state lawmakers to pass stricter DUI laws.

The family created an on-line petition and website called Destiny’s Hope that outlines a potential bill they want lawmakers to consider.

It would create more jail time, higher fines, and less driving privileges for those convicted of DUI.

“If we can just prevent one death, it’s worth anything that we can put into it. If we can just save one child’s life, because you know, you can’t put a price on life,” John Evans said.

More than 800 people have signed the on-line petition.

The family plans to meet with local lawmakers later this week.

As DUI laws continue and will continue to pass, hiring a DUI lawyer has become essential after being charged with driving under the influence. Visit www.DUIDRUNKDRIVINGLAWYERS.com to find a lawyer in your state.

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If I failed a breath test should I plead guilty?

In most cases no. After failing a breath or other chemical test such as a blood test most people feel there is no way around a DUI conviction, but that is far from the truth. Here are some common defenses that are used in DUI cases:

  1. The breath test was not properly administered. If police did not properly instruct you or failed to operate the breathalyzer wrong, that should get the piece of evidence thrown out. In some cases the deputy does properly administer the test, but it turns out he is not qualified on paper to do so.
  2. The machine was not properly maintained. Breathalyzers are very complex pieces of machinery and the slightest mishap can cause them to deliver incorrect readings. By investigating the records of the particular machine and having an expert witness testify the machine was probably not working properly, this too can have the failed test thrown out as evidence.
  3. The test was not done in a timely fashion. As time passes alcohol blood levels can rise. If police wait an hour or more to administer the test, that does not prove you were under the influence while driving, but only that you were under the influence an hour after the traffic stop/accident.
  4. Mouth alcohol skewed the test results. When you blow into one of these machines they multiply the amount of alcohol by 2100, assuming it is coming from the lungs. The problem being: sometimes alcohol is stored in the mouth via a bleeding wound, a breath freshening product or even left over vomit. If you can convince the jury (with the help of perhaps a doctor testimony) that there was alcohol stored in your mouth this too can help get this piece of evidence thrown out.

If you failed a blood or urine test the most common defense is that the sample was not properly handled. Known as a ‘chain of custody’ issue, this can help you avoid a DUI conviction as well.

The fact of the matter is that no DUI case is open and shut until every detail has been examined. By contacting a DUI attorney for a free consultation, you can find out what your next move should be.

Volusia County, FL DUI Attorneys

The Florida DUI law firm of Musca Law serves all of Volusia County with DUI and other criminal charges.

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Whether you have been arrested in De Land, DeBary, Deltona, Edgewater, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Orange City, Ormond Beach, Pierson, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, South Daytona or an unincorporated part of Volusia County the firm can assist you with your DUI or other criminal charge. Contact them for a free consultation today:

Volusia County Dui Lawyers

1540 Cornerstone Blvd., Suite 200
Daytona Beach, FL 32117
Phone: 386-341-9882
Directions.