It’s a sobering thought: nearly one in four Wisconsin drivers drove intoxicated in the past year. Wisconsin ranked number one in a recent poll as the state with the highest percentage of drivers who admit to driving drunk in the past year – 23.7 percent.

“The one day you wipe somebody out, you kill somebody or kill their families or some law enforcement officer on the side of the road, your life will change forever,” says Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke.

The report says responsible alcohol sales, sobriety checkpoints and substance abuse treatment could help reduce the problem. Clarke says criminalizing the first offense in Wisconsin would help the problem as well.

“If the circuit court system in milwaukee county would send a different message, a clear and convincing message that if you decide to drive on wisconsin’s roadways in milwaukee county we’re ready to bring it in terms of severe consequences to that behavior,” he said.

In the study, conducted by researchers of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 10 million Americans admitted to driving while on illicit drugs in the past year, including 5 percent of Wisconsin drivers.

Fortunately, Wisconsin does not top this category – Rhode Island does.

As startling as all of these numbers are, they’re actually slightly down from a previous study.

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This varies from state-to-state. However, penalties such as monetary fines and community service are a certainty if convicted of DUI, while installation of an ignition interlock device, jail time, probation and license suspension to name the most common are also a possibility. The penalties obviously are more severe if the charge is DUI manslaughter/vehicular or DUI causing serious bodily injury. On the other hand, it’s important to understand all of these penalties are likely avoidable by fighting the charge. You are not guilty until you either plead it or are convicted by a 12 person jury. If you are thinking of pleading guilty to your charge the penalties will probably be lessened as opposed to being convicted by jury, but you shouldn’t assume you can’t beat the charge. You could be pleasantly surprised if you hire a DUI attorney to protect your rights.

Looking for a DUI attorney?

This varies from state-to-state. However, penalties such as monetary fines and community service are a certainty if convicted of DUI, while installation of an ignition interlock device, jail time, probation and license suspension to name the most common are also a possibility. The penalties obviously are more severe if the charge is DUI manslaughter/vehicular or DUI causing serious bodily injury. On the other hand, it’s important to understand all of these penalties are likely avoidable by fighting the charge. You are not guilty until you either plead it or are convicted by a 12 person jury. If you are thinking of pleading guilty to your charge the penalties will probably be lessened as opposed to being convicted by jury, but you shouldn’t assume you can’t beat the charge. You could be pleasantly surprised if you hire a DUI attorney to protect your rights.

Looking for a DUI attorney?

Are you suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) or a related drunk driving offense in Jacksonville? If so, pleading guilty is probably your first instinct. However, the charge is most likely beatable and the conviction avoidable. While not every charge is beatable, you may be surprised at the benefit an experienced drunk driving lawyer can have on your case.

When suspected of a criminal offense it is always best to contact an attorney promptly. As the earlier an attorney can start to investigate you arrest and the like, the better shot he or she has at succeeding with your charge. While pleading guilty to avoid maximum penalties is understandably tempting, you will still be left with a criminal record. Instead, you would be well advised to contact a Jacksonville DUI lawyer at Musca Law for a free consultation:

Duval County Office
841 Prudential Drive, 12th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-610-6545 – Phones Answered 24/7
Free Consultation in Person or by Phone Available.

The attorneys at Musca Law have the necessary experience and the determination to fight for your rights and freedom. On top of this there is no charge to initially speak with an attorney. Musca Law truly is Jacksonville’s premier criminal defense law firm.

Are you suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) or a related drunk driving offense in Jacksonville? If so, pleading guilty is probably your first instinct. However, the charge is most likely beatable and the conviction avoidable. While not every charge is beatable, you may be surprised at the benefit an experienced drunk driving lawyer can have on your case.

When suspected of a criminal offense it is always best to contact an attorney promptly. As the earlier an attorney can start to investigate you arrest and the like, the better shot he or she has at succeeding with your charge. While pleading guilty to avoid maximum penalties is understandably tempting, you will still be left with a criminal record. Instead, you would be well advised to contact a Jacksonville DUI lawyer at Musca Law for a free consultation:

Duval County Office
841 Prudential Drive, 12th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-610-6545 – Phones Answered 24/7
Free Consultation in Person or by Phone Available.

The attorneys at Musca Law have the necessary experience and the determination to fight for your rights and freedom. On top of this there is no charge to initially speak with an attorney. Musca Law truly is Jacksonville’s premier criminal defense law firm.

The nation faces tough questions in tough times, and there are people on both sides of every issue.

Arizona is no different. But who’s saying what about the issues important to Arizonans?

Each Sunday, ABC15.com debuts an Arizona issue – along with opposing sides on the topic.

Don’t worry, you always have the opportunity to make comments at the bottom of the page. Yeah, your opinion matters too.

This week we’re tackling the debate over a new Arizona law that allows alcohol sales as early as 6 a.m. on Sundays.

State law had barred alcohol sales between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sundays, but now the Sunday hours conform to those on other days of the week.

The law has been in effect since July 29th.

Critics argue the new law could put extra drunk drivers on the road by encouraging more weekend drinking, and early in the morning.

Supporters say the law simply matches rules in place for the other 6 days of the week, and has the potential to help struggling Arizona businesses in a tough economic time.

So, is the new law that allows early morning alcohol sales right for Arizona?

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FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (WUSA) – There’s a lot of focus on the fact that Carlos Montano is an illegal immigrant. But leaders at MADD say the real problem is our drunk driving laws, and how time and time again, drunk drivers with serious alcohol problems are allowed to get right back in the seat of a car.

Montano’s racked up a frightening record: reckless driving, public drunkenness, speeding, three times driving after his license was revoked, and two DUI convictions.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s from the moon, Bolivia or the United States. He shouldn’t have been driving drunk,” says Jeff Levy with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Levy says the first time someone is caught driving drunk, they’ve already driven drunk without getting caught 87 times, according to MADD statistics. That’s why MADD is pushing for laws that require interlock devices for first time DUI offenders. Interlock devices require the driver to blow into a breathalyzer. It won’t let the car start if the driver has been drinking.

Arizona and New Mexico are two out of about a dozen that require interlock devices for first time DUI offenders. Those states report a more than 30% decline in alcohol related crashes, injuries and deaths.

Virginia only requires interlock devices for second time offenders.

“We think anyone convicted of DUI should be prevented from driving. It’s as simple as that,” says Levy.

“Had you put the interlock device on the car (Montano was driving) after the first time, rather then giving him break after break after break, until he’s impaired again and killed someone,” said Jack Dalton, the director of public policy for National Interlock System, Inc.

Sure drinking and driving kills people and those guilty of it should be punished, but until we have a foolproof system of proving that guilt I think Virgina DUI laws should stay as they are.

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