Results tagged “multiple dui” from DUI Lawyers & Attorneys News

In Ocala, Florida, it is being reported that a local woman was stopped by police for driving under the influence (DUI) and then arrested.  Oddly, the woman was arrested and charged with DUI two times in three days time.

According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, 43 year old Samantha Stilwell was first arrested for the first time this past Saturday.  She was booked, placed in jail, charged with DUI and then released.

On Monday, the same deputy that had stopped Stilwell on Saturday noticed that she was driving erratically again.  He pulled her over and asked her to perform field sobriety tests and take a breath test.  She failed both.  In fact, her breath test result was two times the state's legal limit of 0.08%.  She was charged with DUI for the second time and released from police custody later that day.

The deputy claims that both times, Stilwell was driving in her pajamas with no shoes.

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On Friday, a man from Ohio is due in court for driving under the influence (DUI) charges for the third time.  According to reports, the man had already served 10 years in prison and had permanently lost his driver's license after killing a police officer in 1994.

Sunday, police officers received a call from a store customer who reported that a man appeared to be intoxicated.  Inspector William Holland of the Summit County Sheriff's Department said, "They went and attempted to block this person in, the driver got in the car, maneuvered around the citizen's car and took off driving."

After the incident occurred, the customer followed the erratic driver to a nearby home and then phone police.  When police arrived, they found 47 year old Gregory Gordon behind the wheel.  Gordon killed police officer George Knaff in 1994 when he ran through a stop sign and crashed into Officer Knaff's vehicle.

In 2006, Gordon was charged with DUI, making this his send DUI offense since his release from prison.  Sources say that Officer Knaff's family is infuriated that Gordon is still able to drink and drive. 

Knaff's cousin said,  "I think he should be locked up again, and all this crap about remorse and treatment while he was in prison, that didn't do no good, it didn't do no good ... it's 15 years later."

Police have charged Gordon with DUI, driving under suspension and refusing to take a breathalyzer test. 

Have you been charged with multiple DUI offenses?  If so, click here to find a DUI defense attorney near you!

 

In the state of California, lawmakers are thinking about implementing a 3 strikes law that would be geared at cutting back incidents of driving under the influence (DUI).  Under the possible law, anytime people had 3 DUI convictions, their driver's licenses would automatically be revoked. 

Many advocates of the 3 strikes law say that it is a needed measure as many multiple DUI offenders are able to still drive after being convicted.  According to one lawmaker, Senator Leland Yee, current laws, "do not allow for a judge to revoke a license if no one is injured."  This makes it easy for DUI offenders to keep their driver's licenses despite their negligent actions.

At this time, people who are convicted of DUI for the first time in California are sentenced with mandatory 4 month driver's license suspension.  If people have multiple DUI convictions, the suspension time increases, but not indefinitely. 

If the law passes, people with 3 or more DUI convictions would instantly lose their driving privileges.  By implementing this law, it is hoped that the amount of multiple DUI offenses decreases state-wide.  However, there is some opposition to the 3 strikes law, which is why it has not yet passed.  Despite opposition, advocates remain optimistic.

If you have been charged with DUI in California, click here to find a DUI defense lawyer!

A woman in St. Croix, Wisconsin has been sentenced to four and half years in prison following her 13th DUI arrest.

Lisa K. White, 51, was arrested in June on suspicion of DUI for the 11th time in Wisconsin.  According to Barron County prosecutors, White had two previous DUI arrests in Minnesota.

When she was arrested in June, White was on extended supervision following two previous DUI convictions.  Consequently, her supervised released was revoked.  She has since been sentenced to three years in prison for one case, and one and a half years in prison for the other case.

In addition to these sentences, White still faces two counts of felony drunk driving stemming from her June arrest.  If convicted, she should face up to 25 years in prison.

For more information about the DUI penalties associated with multiple DUI arrests, please click here to find a DUI lawyer near you.

In the state of Wisconsin, a man took operating while intoxicated to a whole new level by driving his motorized three wheel scooter onto the Marquette Interchange, a highly trafficked express way in Milwaukee. 

According to news sources, 35 year old Daniel Samplanski, was charged with OUI this past Tuesday after driving his scooter onto the highway.  When police spotted him, they asked him how he managed to get his scooter from I-43 to I-794, but he was too drunk to explain how he did it.  What he did tell police was that the scooter belonged to a friend of his and that he had consumed a 12 pack of beer prior to operating it. 

Samplanski told deputies, "I got confused. I'm drunk. What am I doing on the (expletive) freeway? I am trying get off."  Police reports reveal that in the past 10 years, Samplanski has been convicted of Dui 4 times.  If he is convicted for his most recent OWI charges, he will face up to 6 years in prison. 

Charged with OUI in Milwaukee?  If so, click here to find a skilled Wisconsin DUI lawyer!

According to the Associated Press, a man in Ocala, Florida was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) today.  The man, 45 year old J. Dante Krauss, was spotted by police while riding naked on his motorcycle in Marion County on Interstate 75.  The deputy that made the arrest could not believe his eyes when he saw Krauss cruising by.  He followed Krauss until they reached a red light and then pulled him over for suspicion of DUI.

Captain Mike Rolls said that when he questioned Krauss, Krauss had no idea where he had been or where he was heading.  Rolls asked Krauss if he had consumed alcohol and he admitted that he had been drinking.  Krauss submitted to a breath alcohol test and had a result that was higher than 0.08%, the state's legal limit.

Rolls charged Krauss with DUI shortly after.  It is the fifth time the 45 year old has been charged with driving under the influence.  After his arrest, Krauss was released from jail on $20,000 bail. 

If you have been charged with DUI in Florida, click here to find a DUI defense lawyer!

In Lincoln, Nebraska, it is being reported that police arrested a woman twice in one night for driving under the influence.  The woman, although driving two different cars, was caught drunk driving by law enforcement on two separate occasions one evening.

The first time, the woman made an illegal turn and was swerving down a Lincoln street at 1:13 AM.  Once spotted, police stopped her and asked her to submit to a blood alcohol test.  Her test result was .19, which is more than twice the state's legal limit.  Police cited the woman with suspiscion of driving under the influence and negligent driving.  She was then escorted to a detoxification center.

Approximately two hours later, the same officer that had stopped the woman the first time noticed that she was driving a different car.  This time, her boyfriend was riding with her.  The officer pulled the woman over and arrested her for DUI and negligent driving for the second time that night.  She was then taken to jail, where her blood alcohol level was revealed to be .154.

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A habitual DUI offender in Wisconsin has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after he was convicted of drunken driving for the 15th time.

Although 50-year-old Donald Wiessinger has nine official convictions, this is his 15th DUI conviction overall.  Wiessinger was first convicted in 1976, however, a change in state law made it so only those convictions that occurred in 1989 or later count as official convictions.

Wiessenger's newest conviction stems from an arrest that occurred in October of last year, when he led police on a chase that ended when he crashed into a tree while driving a borrowed van.

Despite the fact that a teary-eyed Wiessinger told the judge that he did not want to drink anymore, the judge enforced the sentence, refusing any more treatment programs because they clearly have not been effective.

The 5-year sentence was the most Wiessinger could have received under state law.

As a result of Wiessenger's case, Wisconsin law makers are now considering tightening the state's DUI laws.

For more information about repeat DUI offenders, click here to find a DUI lawyer in your area.

After his fourth DUI conviction in a little over 10 years, a 32-year-old Illinois man has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison.

Michael J. Walker pleaded guilty to felony driving under the influence on June 16th. In addition to prison, Walker was ordered to pay $1,575 in fines and court costs, and must serve two years of supervised release.

Walker's most recent arrest, that later led to his 4th conviction, occurred on September 1, when a Naperville patrol officer saw Walker speeding and driving erratically.

Walker faced five additional charges in connection with the incident, but those charges were later dismissed in exchange for Walker's plea.  Those charges included driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated DUI, driving while license suspended, driving on the wrong side of the road, and speeding.

His first DUI arrest occurred on March 8, 1998. He was arrested for his second DUI on February 10, 1999, and his third arrest was just four days later on February 14, 1999.  The last incident led to an accident that seriously injured two passengers and moderately injured a third passenger when the car crashed into a tree. 

Walker, who faced 16 counts of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm, was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty.

For more information about multiple DUI offenders, please click here to find a DUI attorney near you.

According to police in Manatee County, a 70 year old woman by the name of Carol Jean May was arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) for the 7th time.  Police arrested the woman outside of DeSoto Square mall after finding her passed out in her car.  Since 1971, the 70 year old has been charged with driving under the influence on 7 separate occasions.

Police say that when they noticed May in her vehicle, she was sleeping.  They approached the vehicle to wake May up and immediately noticed that her vehicle smelled of alcohol.   Once they woke May up, she was unable to stand on her own and also reeked of alcohol.  Police then looked up her record and discovered that she had 6 prior DUI arrests and 5 DUI convictions.  In 2002, her driver's license had been suspended by a Florida judge.

May was placed under arrest and escorted to the Manatee County jail.  There, she said she would not perform the required breath alcohol test because her license, "was already suspended for life."  May could barely sit in her chair, which prohibited police from being able to read her Miranda Rights to her.  Yesterday, a judge ordered for May to be held on an $80,000 bond. 

Court records reveal that May was arrested in 1971, 1973, 1976, 1978, two times in 1998 and once in 2002.  In 1998, May had to serve two months of jail time and was ordered to pay over $2,000 in fines.

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In Seaford, Delaware, a man was recently charged with driving under the influence (DUI) for the 4th time.  Keith N. Truitt, 34 years old, was arrested after leading police on a chase that ended when he crashed his vehicle into another car.

Once police managed to apprehend Truitt, they placed him under arrest for felony DUI, assaulting a police officer, offensive touching, driving after judgment prohibited and a variety of other traffic violations.  He was the held in the Sussex Correctional Institution as he was unable to arrange for bail.   

Police report that the DUI arrest occurred at 3:15 PM yesterday.  Police noticed that Truitt was driving erratically while they were investigating an assault complaint on Cedar Street.  When they noticed Truitt, they attempted to make him stop his car, but he continued to drive while police chased close behind. 

Truitt did not stop driving until he ran a stop sign, collided with a minivan and eventually lost control of his vehicle.   He managed to slide through a homeowner's lawn and cut a telephone pole in half while trying to evade police.  Once Truitt crashed, he attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was caught by police.  He then persisted to fight officers and even struck one policeman in the face before he was handcuffed.

Immediately following the struggle, Truitt was taken into custody.  Investigations later revealed that he had been driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana and alcohol.

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A new West Virginia DUI bill has been proposed that calls for stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders.

The Evans-Perry Bill, named after two families involved in a deadly DUI crash in 2007, would not only call for tougher penalties for repeat offenders, but it would also prevent multiple DUI offenders from obtaining driver's licenses in other states.

The bill calls for staggered sentencing for repeat DUI offenders, jail or prison for a first-time sentence, and probation and alcohol treatment for the second.

Five members of the Evans and Perry families were killed and several others were injured in an accident caused by Brian Stone, who was driving on a revoked license and had multiple DUI convictions on his record.  Stone is currently serving time in prison for the accident.

For more information about DUI law, click here to find a DUI attorney near you.

According to E-online, 77 year old actor, Rip Torn, was recently arrested in Connecticut for driving under the influence (DUI).  This past Monday, the 30 Rock costar pled guilty to his criminal charges, two DUI counts, that resulted from his DUI arrest on December 14, 2008.

Connecticut police report that Torn was charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane.   Police stopped Torn when they noticed that he was driving erratically through the breakdown lane of Route 44 with a Christmas tree tied to the roof of his vehicle.  They reported that Rip Torn lives near the New York border, in Salisbury, CT.

When police stopped Torn for suspected DUI, he failed his field sobriety tests (FST) and then refused to perform additional FSTs because he claimed that the ground was not level enough.  He outright refused to consent to a breath alcohol test. 

This is not Torn's first DUI offense.  In 2007, he pled guilty to driving while impaired in New York.  He was ordered to pay a monetary fine and also lost his driving privileges.  In 2004, he was acquitted by a jury after he caused a motor vehicle accident while driving drunk in Manhattan.

Torn is best known for his role on 30 Rock, and for his roles in the Men in Black films and also Dodgeball, where he played opposite actors Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn.

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In Great Falls, Montana, a 44 year old man named James Thorton is currently waiting for sentencing for driving under the influence (DUI).  However, unlike most DUI offenders, this is the 9th time Thorton has pled guilty to drunk driving.  His sentencing is expected to take place on January 22, 2009.

Yesterday, Thorton admitted in a Montana court of law that he was driving under the influence when police officers stopped him for suspected DUI in October 2006.

In the state of Montana, the first three DUI offenses a person commits are classified as misdemeanors.  However, once a person has a fourth DUI, it is automatically categorized as a felony offense, which means a DUI offender could face time in jail if convicted.

Prosecutors and Thorton's defense attorney were able to reach a plea agreement.  The agreement states that Thorton must spend 13 months in jail, part of which could be spent in a treatment program for alcohol rehabilitation.  He will also have to pay a $1,000 fine and his license will remain suspended for 4 years.

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Law enforcement in the state of Arizona are reporting that 159 DUI (driving under the influence) arrests were made over the course of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

During the three day period, which lasted from Friday to Sunday, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Officers made over one hundred arrests.

According to reports, 17 drivers were arrested for aggravated DUI and 33 drivers were arrested for extreme DUI.  When a person is arrested for extreme DUI, he/she must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .150% or higher.  And, when a person is arrested for aggravated DUI, he/she must have at least two prior DUI convictions in Arizona or another state within 60 months of his/her last DUI arrest.  

Police also report that 14 drivers were arrested for underage DUI and 18 drivers had prior DUI convictions when they were arrested.  The DPS said that the average BAC for those drivers who were arrested over the course of the holiday was .145%.  They also report that a fatal DUI accident occurred this year.

However, some improvements were made, as DPS worked on 7 fatal DUI accidents during the same time last year.

If you were arrested for DUI in Arizona, click here to find a skilled DUI defense attorney. 

A man convicted for his 10th drunk driving offense will serve seven years in prison.

Todd Olson of Everett, Washington was arrested for his 10th DUI in May when he hit another car at a traffic light and drove off. The seven-year-sentence was the maximum under Washington state law. The law states that a fifth DUI within 10 years warrants felony charges.

Within the last decade, Olson, 47, has been charged six times with drunken driving. Snohomish County prosecutors said Olson also has three convictions for hit and run, and 14 convictions for driving with a suspended license.

In the state of Washington DUI is normally tried a gross misdemeanor, the penalties for which include a fine and up to a year in jail.

For more information about the DUI laws in your state, click here to find a DUI attorney near you!

Recently in Martinsburg, West Virgina, a woman was convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) a staggering five times and was arrested yet again this past Wednesday.  This time, the woman will only be prosecuted by law W. Virginia law enforcement for a misdemeanor DUI offense, as reported by the Berkeley County Magistrate Court records.

The defendant, 58 year old Dorothy Lou Kisner, was recently arraigned on misdemeanor counts of DUI second offense.  She is also facing charges for no proof of insurance and defective equipment.  The judge presiding over the case, Magistrate Jim Humphrey, set a $7,300 bond for the defendant. 

According to police reports, Dorothy Lou Kisner was not and could not be charged with felony DUI because her other DUI offenses occurred over 10 years ago.  In the state of West Virginia, enhanced legal charges and penalties are only applied if subsequent DUI charges occurred less than 10 years ago.  This is due to a recent change in the state's code. 

Police also report that Kisner failed three field sobriety tests (FST) and would not complete a fourth test.  She also did not provide an adequate sample for her breath test and she only admitted to consuming 3 beers prior to driving that evening. 

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WIBW.com is reporting that a 63 year old man in Hutchinson, Kansas is facing his 11th DUI (driving under the influence) conviction.  Hayden Hitchcock is reported to have 10 prior DUI convictions and was charged with felony DUI this past Monday.  Law enforcement claims that Hitchcock crashed his mo-ped into another vehicle while driving under the influence on June 2nd.

Prosecutors are reporting that Hitchcock's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .14% at the time of the DUI accident.  Mr. Hitchcock was on parole from a one year sentence from a accident he caused in December 2007 while under the influence in which he plowed into a set of fuel pumps, causing a massive fire.

If you are currently facing conviction for multiple DUI offenses, click here to locate a credible DUI defense attorney near you!