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03-06-2013, 06:48 PM
So, I have a friend who was arrested and held over night, for a DUI. The whole thing seems weird. The cops didnt read there there rights, didnt breathelizer them, do a sobriety test or draw blood. AND they released them the next morning with there car. This was in DC, or near it and they are going to court in the next few days. Dont they need some sort of proof besides a police report saying they smelled like alcohol for a conviction? Im hoping some of the LAwyers or more experienced guys can shed some light on this process. I was also wondering were they treated differently because she is a younger chick, they didnt do anything I thought they normally would.(Tests, protocols ect)
"All My Bitches love me....I love all my bitches,
but its like soon as I cum... I come to my senses."
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03-06-2013, 07:03 PM
Given what you've presented, the only evidence of driving while intoxicated is the policeman's testimony. The prospects of going to trial should be favorable to your friend, especially if she has a clean driving record and it's her first offense. The only caveat is in my state, often the license suspensions are more severe should you decide to go to trial, as it will likely take at least 4-6 months, and of course, it will be significantly more expensive than pleading out to a continuance without a finding. The matter will proceed through 2 state departments, one through the courts, and one through the department of motor vehicles, at least in my state.
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03-06-2013, 07:07 PM
She could have been so drunk she confessed for the dash cam. Or she offered up some blowjobs if not convicted, so he made a weak case. Either way, the hamster wins.
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03-06-2013, 07:15 PM
Get a good lawyer.
G Manifesto Rule #3: Never skimp on your legal team.
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03-06-2013, 07:15 PM
Don't you have to be read your rights or the arrest is not valid (could be just movie knowledge ha).
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03-06-2013, 07:33 PM
Yes, that's correct, Miranda has nothing to do with arrest, it's to protect you from incriminating yourself. A good lawyer will probably get her off but most people plead no contest because it's cheaper, more convenient, and counts as a conviction for the prosecutor.
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03-06-2013, 08:24 PM
It is possible for the government to be able to prove an alcohol-related traffic offense with no breath test and no sobriety tests, but it is not likely. If the government decides to go forward, which is a big if, there are other indicators of intoxication and/or impairment which can be produced. Some of these indicators are:
1. strong odor of alcohol
2. bloodshot, watery eyes
3. slurred speech
4. delay in stopping the vehicle
5. delay in producing license and registration (in some states the insurance card also)
6. use of profanity
7. bumps, bruises, or scratches on body
8. unsteadiness on feet
9. vomiting
10. hiccuping
11. using the car for balance after exiting the car
12. alcohol in possession
13. dropping and/or fumbling objects
14. reason for the stop (was there any evidence of bad driving or was it for something like suspended registration or a light which was not functioning properly)
If many or all of these factors are present, I could see the government possibly being able to prove a case such as this. If only a few are present, it will be an uphill battle for the prosecution. I am of the strong belief that even if a person fails sobriety tests, it is difficult to prove a case in the absence of a breath test. I prepare all cases in which there was no breath test for trial unless there are factors such as falling all over the place, vomiting, and/or an admission of having consumed thirty drinks. Many, many lawyers throw their clients under the bus in cases that can be easily won.
Although I am not admitted in D.C. (I qualify to waive into D.C. and could easily do so), it is my understanding that LowerCaseG's statement about having both a trial in Superior Court and a hearing at the DMV is correct. In all likelihood, your friend was offered a breath test and refused it. That may work to her advantage in court, because the government's case will be weaker, but should hurt her at the DMV. Refusals usually result in license suspensions in administrative hearings.
Other posters' statements about the effect of making a statement after not being read your rights are correct. This thing about not being read your rights is up there with "harassment" as far as being a legal term which is constantly misunderstood and misused by lay people. If you don't make a statement, nobody cares if you were read your rights or not. If you do make a statement, which in alcohol-related traffic cases is usually a statement regarding the amount of alcohol consumed and/or the time in which the alcohol was consumed, it may or may not be admissible into evidence. For the police to even be required to read a person his rights, there must be a custodial interrogation. The caselaw defines "custodial" as a reasonable person would not feel free to go. In my experience, judges view it in a somewhat different manner. If the Defendant is on the scene of the traffic stop, has not yet been arrested, and has not yet been transported to the police station, I have never seen a judge suppress a statement on the grounds of Miranda.
As far as the police report goes, it cannot and will not be admitted into evidence. It is generally used by the prosecution to refresh the officer's recollection. The officer can look at it to refresh his memory, but afterward must testify from his memory. The report can be something of a weapon for the defense. If the officer testimony differs from his report, the defense can cross examine him on that discrepency and can try to impeach his credibility due to the prior inconsistent statement.
LowerCaseG:
I can see why you have done well in your first two years. Give me a call when you graduate. I'm not joking.
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03-06-2013, 08:33 PM
Thanks for the compliment, you got it.
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03-06-2013, 08:57 PM
The lawyer I recommend to my friends in need was a former prosecutor and knows everyone in the system. More importantly, everyone in the system LIKES him because of his skill and charisma and because he used to be one of them. He's the type that will postpone your court date if he knows the prosecutor and judge working that day won't make a deal with him.
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"put her in the taxi, put her number in the trash can"
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03-06-2013, 09:39 PM
Things just don't work this way. Elabayrde did not get the real story.
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03-06-2013, 09:58 PM
Thats totally posible. Obviously, I wasn't there. but she has been talking my ear off about it and crying blah blah blah.
None of the less...I still think this is a good point of discussion here since I didn't see anything on it..
"All My Bitches love me....I love all my bitches,
but its like soon as I cum... I come to my senses."
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03-06-2013, 10:11 PM
Quote: (03-06-2013 09:03 PM)Merenguero Wrote:
Quote: (03-06-2013 08:57 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:
He's the type that will postpone your court date if he knows the prosecutor and judge working that day won't make a deal with him.
I'm not that type. Fuck postponements unless I'm in Miami or in another court. Put the pressure on them.
Why wouldn't you postpone? I know if I was on the chopping block I'd appreciate every advantage I could get. You say unless you're in Miami so maybe it varies by court system?
"...it's the quiet cool...it's for someone who's been through the struggle and come out on the other side smelling like money and pussy."
"put her in the taxi, put her number in the trash can"
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03-06-2013, 11:29 PM
what county was this in? i got a lawyer who has gotten me out of a few DUI's in the VA suburbs of DC. I'd be happy to pass along a name.
That being said, and having gone through a couple of these myself, there is no fucking way they will get convicted of a DUI w/o a breath or blood test. Maybe something minor like a Public intoxication, but no way a DUI
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03-07-2013, 01:07 AM
Tell your friend not to skimp on a good lawyer. And get everything in writing when negotiating with lawyers. I honestly think the cop(s) did your friend a favor, usually they pressure you to take a breathalizer or force a blood withdraw if you refuse breathalizer. The case will probably get thrown out in 2 minutes if the lawyer even implies hes going to put up a fight and take it to trial if he has to; but youll be shocked how few even do this much, so lawyer reputation is everything. Still doesnt take away the fact that your friend has a long road to deal with, no 2nd dui/dwi because even if the first gets dropped he will have 2 on his record if he gets caught again. Also, there will be an arrest on his record for a while until it can be expunged. Getting arrested is no joke, but it could be worse, the cop could have been out to up his quota and ruthlessly got everything he could on your friend.
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03-07-2013, 03:25 AM
Quote: (03-07-2013 01:07 AM)defguy Wrote:
And get everything in writing when negotiating with lawyers.
Every state that I'm licensed to practice in (ok, that's one...) requires attorney fee agreements to be written. Otherwise they're voidable. For what it's worth, I don't believe any state allows contingent fee agreements for criminal cases, so you're paying your DUI guy either way. Most of them take flat fees. Merenguero, I take it you're an FL defense attorney with a steady docket of DUI cases?
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03-07-2013, 04:03 AM
The back of my MD driver's license states "driving in MD implies consent to chemical testing for intoxication as required by law. Longer license suspension may result from refusal to be tested."
Does your friend still have a proper driver's license? If this happened in MD, your friend would have a paper license and the cops would have done a test that provided a BAC.
In MD, a "chemical test" means blood, piss, or breath with a number showing BAC.
You need to lay some alpha style asshole game into this bitch and tell her to stop wasting your time with this bullshit and to start telling you the whole truth about what happened. So far the details don't add up.
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03-07-2013, 04:11 AM
It was either DC or MD. But they have a florida License. They live in Miami for thelast 10 years. She maintains she never was even asked to blow.(HAHA so to speak)
"All My Bitches love me....I love all my bitches,
but its like soon as I cum... I come to my senses."