Posts Tagged ‘DWI’

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Don’t Drink & Drive This Holiday!

December 23rd, 2009 | Posted in DUI/DWI, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

Police warn of DWI crackdown!

Drivers should be careful this holiday season, as Louisiana police will be out in full force, cracking down on DUI & DWI violations. The last thing that you or your family wants to deal with during the hectic holidays is an arrest for driving under the influence in New Orleans or other areas in Louisiana. Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense, especially with the new 2008 statutory regulations that require a 15-day jail sentence for people arrested for driving while their licenses are suspended as a result of a previous DWI. If you refuse to take a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test, you can have your license suspended for a year! You might also be required to have an ignition interlock device as a DWI or DUI offender. A DWI or DUI conviction can result in fines, court costs and even jail time.

If you or a family member or friend has been arrested under suspicion of DWI or DUI, you need an attorney! Bloom Legal is experienced in DWI and DUI defense and knows how to use innovative tactics to defend clients to the fullest. Call Bloom Legal for all your DUI and DWI or traffic ticket violations today!

Big News! On September 1, a big change in the Louisiana DWI law went into effect. From the Times-Pic:

September 8th, 2009 | Posted in DUI/DWI, Legislation, Local Issues, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

House Bill 445 by Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, went into effect at midnight, doubling from six months to a year the length of time drivers can lose their license for refusing a first-time test. Subsequent refusals within five years of the first could mean a two-year suspension, up from the 18 months the old law provided.
This is an important change to the law. If you are pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving, you have the right to refuse a breathalyzer test. To refuse this test is not a crime. However, before this law went into effect, you would only receive a six-month penalty for refusing the test. Now, that penalty goes up to a year. Note that you still have the right to refuse the breathalyzer, and that refusing the test gives you more leverage against prosecutors as you and your attorney negotiate your case. If you take a breathalyzer test when you’re pulled over, prosecutors have that solid piece of evidence to use to convict you of DWI. If they don’t have any results from a breathalyzer test, you have more leverage to negotiate for a lesser charge. But since this new law has gone into effect, the immediate penalties for refusing a breathalyzer test in Louisiana have become more severe. While refusing the test gives you a better chance to avoid that Louisiana felony DWI conviction, it will also mean that you will have to go for a full year without your driver’s license, so you have to weigh the pros and cons of each option. It’s important to note that if you choose to refuse the breathalyzer test, losing your license, you may be able to apply for a “hardship license” that will allow you to drive to certain places, like work or religious services. You will only get the hardship license, however, if you install an ignition interlock device that you have to blow into to confirm that your BAC is 0%. Whether you refused to take the breathalyzer test or agreed to blow, if you have been arrested for DWI in Louisiana it’s crucial that you retain a DWI lawyer as soon as possible. At Bloom Legal, we have one of New Orleans’ top certified DWI lawyers here to help you. As always, if you need a talented, committed DWI Louisiana lawyer, call us today at 504.599.9997.

St. Charles Residents…Watch Out!

July 17th, 2008 | Posted in DUI/DWI, Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »

According to the Times Picayune this morning and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office an impaired drivers checkpoint will be conducted at an undisclosed location between 6 tonight until 6 Friday morning. This should be an added incentive to call a cab if you plan on starting the weekend early.

Driving Drunk Can Mean More Than Just a DUI Charge

May 21st, 2008 | Posted in Courts, DUI/DWI, Local Issues, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

For most folk, when you think about drunk driving the worst case scenario is seeing those flashing red lights behind you, and knowing that you’re about to be taken down to jail with your license being at risk, your money being taken in fines, and maybe even some jail time or community service.  All very bad news, of course.

But it might not stop there.  If you hurt someone when you are operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content that’s over the state’s legal limit, then you’re facing criminal charges for that harm, as well.

Take the case of Darren Yax.  Darren was giving Heather Habisreitinger a ride on the back of his Kawasaki motorcycle last December – about a week before Christmas – when he crashed into a vehicle that was stopped at an intersection.  Heather went flying, and died as a result of the traffic accident. 

Darren’s BAC was tested at .10, over the legal limit.

Yesterday, the grand jury indicted Darren Yax for vehicular homicide in the death of  Heather Habisreitinger, and he’s facing a minimum of 5 years (maximum of 30) incarceration if convicted.  

Did Mayor of Mandeville Get Special Treatment on DUI?

May 7th, 2008 | Posted in DUI/DWI, Local Issues, NOPD by bloom | No Comments »

Today’s Times-Picayune has a nice, big story about Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price driving his SUV (a Ford Expedition owned by the city, by the way) into a toll booth barrier a little before midnight on April 22nd — Price then drove about three more miles down the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway before the police pulled him over.  One more thing: he was driving with his headlights off. 

And, according to the newspaper account, what happened then? 

No citation, no field sobriety test, no checking the inside of the vehicle.  Price apparently told the two officers that he’d just had a “couple of drinks,” they didn’t see him weaving around or slurring his words, so they let him go  – although they wouldn’t let him drive, they made him call a relative to come and get him. 

By now, the s*%^ has hit the fan — there’s an internal investigation at the department, Price has been ticketed (for careless operation of a motor vehicle) and the Times-Picaynue is all over this story like a duck on a junebug.   

This story should sounds like something worth watching … and an interesting comparison to make for those not in the public eye, pulled over along that same stretch of road – if they say they’ve only had a couple of drinks, and they don’t obviously weave or slur their words, should they get to call home for a driver without any field sobriety testing, too?  Sure sounds like an argument to be made ….

For more information:

BloomLegal Talks About Field Sobriety Tests

BloomLegal Talks About Terry Stops – When Cops Can Search Your Car

BloomLegal Talks About DUIs in Louisiana – Being Pulled Over, DUI on Your Record

Deadlines to Filing Your Lawsuit: Absolute Bars to Your Claim

April 2nd, 2008 | Posted in Courts, Local Issues by bloom | No Comments »

louisianastateseal.jpgIn Louisiana, you only get so much time to file your lawsuit.  If you miss this deadline, then it doesn’t matter how valid your claim is – or how horrible the evildoer defendant is, or how serious the injuries are, or even if there’s been a death due to someone’s bad acts:  you won’t have a valid legal case anymore.  You’ll be barred from pursuing your case because you missed the deadline. 

This means that as callous as it may sound, someone in the family needs to check on the legal issues before it’s too late.  In its own way, it is very compassionate in serious personal injury situations, for example, to investigate the victim’s legal redress – just as it is compassionate to help loved ones facing pain, suffering, and grief over loss in other loving and supportive ways. 

These deadlines can be very short  – check these out, which must all be filed within 1 year:

Wrongful Death
Must be filed within one year from the date of death.

Personal Injury
Must be filed within one year from the date of the injury.

Defective Product/Products Liability
Must be filed within one year after the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice
Must be filed within one year of the date that the injury is discovered by the victim, OR one year from the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, and there’s an absolute bar:  all medical malpractice lawsuits have to be filed within 3 years from the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

It Shouldn’t Cost You Anything to Check It Out

Here at BloomLegal, like many other law firms in the local area, initial consultations are free — so checking out legal rights as soon as possible shouldn’t cost a family member anything, and may well save the family’s claims from being time barred.  �
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Paris Hilton’s Brother Makes 20K Bail After DUI – What’s Fair 4 Bail?

February 13th, 2008 | Posted in Celebrity Justice, Courts, DUI/DWI by bloom | No Comments »

paris-hilton-celibate.jpgBarron Hilton, Paris Hilton’s kid brother, got busted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) early yesterday morning – the time of his Malibu arrest was 8:05 a.m.  Seems Barron took a breathilizer (did he check with his lawyer first? I doubt it) and blew a .14 (.08 is the legal limit).  In the car with him, an unidentified girl and a fake ID.   Sounds like Barron had a wild night, right?

Barron spent the day in jail, and around 6 pm  that evening, he was released after posting $20,000 bail.  So, what’s bail — and what’s a fair bail amount? Continue Reading »

Celebrity New Year’s Eve Parties – NYC, Vegas, Miami

December 26th, 2007 | Posted in Celebrity Justice, DUI/DWI, National Issues by bloom | No Comments »

If you’re interested in welcoming in 2008 at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by a celebrity, then here’s a list of options to choose from.  Remember, though, that just because the celebrity is hosting and/or performing at the fete does not guarantee that you will see them, much less meet them ohiltons_lax_ad.jpgr get the chance for a chat.  Yes, even at these exorbitant prices. 

No lawsuit here, there’s no promise of anything but entry into the private party:

Miami Beach

Lenny Kravitz at the Florida Room in the Delano Hotel is sold out.  The lounge there has Gnarls Barkley and the Florida Room Players performing for $400/ticket.  Includes cocktails and a midnight champagne toast.

Jennifer Hudson at the Setai for $1000/ticket.  She performs.  Includes cocktails, dinner dance, five-course meal, and entrance into the Paradise Club.

Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz host a party at The Shore Club while Eve performs for $300/ticket.

New York City

Mya hosts and performs at the Roseland Ballroom in Times Square for $75/ticket. Cash bar. 

Kid Rock hosts at the Hotel Gansevoort.  Rooftop Table for $350/ticket.  Open Bar.  DJ. 

Vegas

Debbie Reynolds hosts and performss at the South Point Grand Ballroom for $140/ticket.

Dave Navarro hosts at Palms’ Rain Nightclub for $100/ticket.

Jay-Z hosts at Palazzo’s 40/40 Club for $700/ticket.  Party favors and midnight champagne toast.

Paris and Nicky Hilton host at Luxor’s LAX Nightclub for $250-20,000.

Pamela Anderson hosts at PURE Nightclub at Caesars’ Palace for $250 – $5000.

Kiefer’s DUI and Britney’s Hit and Run – Big Deals?

October 9th, 2007 | Posted in Celebrity Justice, DUI/DWI, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

car_crash_2.jpgThis afternoon, Kiefer Sutherland’s attorney announced that he pleads “no contest” to Driving Under the Influence (he was arrested on 9/25 for two misdemeanor counts of DUI)  — he pled the same thing to a prior DUI in 2004. 

Also this afternoon, Britney Spear’s attorney appeared in court on her behalf — and Britney has been ordered to come into LA County and be booked for hit and run before the big 10/26 hearing in her custody case. 

What’s the big deal about all this? Continue Reading »

Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Violations and DWI/DUI

May 30th, 2007 | Posted in DUI/DWI, NOPD, Traffic by bloom | No Comments »

Don’t let a holiday traffic violations ruin your good driving record!! Call Bloom Legal today to prevent any blemishes on your driving record that could lead to higher auto insurance premiums or the suspension of your license.

 Blooml Legal, LLC is a full service law firm in the greater New Orleans area handling a myriad of legal problems like criminal defense, personal injury and insurance litigation.

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