Tag Archives: criminal attorney tampa

Driving Under The Influence | DUI | Consequences

Driving under the influence is a common arrest in the sate of Florida; many Florida drivers are unfamiliar with the definition of a DUI, or what the consequences are if arrested for one. It is essential to be familiar with the full description what a DUI is, as well as what to do if pulled over for suspicion of these actions.

Driving Under the Influence is the act or crime of driving while impaired by:

  •     Any type of drug
  •     Alcohol
  •     Illicit drugs
  •     Prescription medication

If your normal faculties are impaired by alcohol, or any of the substances previously listed while having physical control of a vehicle, you can be arrested for driving under the influence.

In Florida, a blood alcohol level of .08 or more constitutes alcohol impairment beyond the legal limit. Nonetheless, if law enforcement suspects that you are driving under the influence, you may still be arrested if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is below the legal limit. If you are arrested for a DUI and your BAC is under 0.8, this can decrease the outcome of a DUI conviction. However, you will still have to bear several inconveniences that accompany battling a DUI charge.

Once pulled over, police officers look for several symptoms of impairment. A driver will initially be pulled over for a minor traffic violation, then the officer will immediately proceed with dialogue in order to determine if the driver is impaired. This procedure may result in a DUI conviction.

Some of the common signs law enforcement will look for to determine the potential impairment of a driver include:

  •     The ability to maintain eye contact
  •     Slurred speech
  •     The smell of alcohol on a driver’s breathe
  •     Bloodshot eyes.

UNDER-THE-INFLUENCE, IS-A-DUI-A-FELONY, DUI-LAWYER, JUSTIN-BEIBERIt is indeed your right to refrain from answering any questions without a lawyer present however; not doing so will surely rouse the police officer’s suspicions, which will likely consummate a further investigation.

If the police officer asks you to exit your vehicle, you must do so. However, if asked to submit to a sobriety test, you may kindly refuse. If you are confident that you can pass a sobriety test, it is still in your best interest to refrain from doing so because the officer will determine if you have passed or not solely on his or her own judgment.

The consequences for driving under the influence in the state of Florida may include:

  •        Suspension of drivers license
  •        Radical Insurance increases
  •       Present and future employment complications
  •       Driving restrictions requiring additional costs
  •       Probation
  •       Legal fees
  •       Court Fees

When disputing a DUI charge, these consequences are among a multitude of difficulties that one can encounter. Fully understanding the severity of these consequences is very important, and it is crucial to be familiar with the precautions needed to avoid being arrested for a DUI.

It is important to immediately seek legal counsel if you are charged with a DUI. If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, Call Blick Law Firm today for a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

Think Quick Call Blick!

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Gasparilla Pirate Fest | Criminal Arrests | DUI

GASPARILLA 2014, TAMPA BAY, TAMPA BAY EVENTS, GASPARILLA PARADEThis Saturday, Tampa Bay celebrates the 2014 Gasparilla Pirate Fest. This all day celebration welcomes the public to a spectacular parade and festival inspired by Jose Gaspar. This highly anticipated festival accommodates over 300,000 people each year, resulting in a multitude of elated crowds and overly enthusiastic guests. Reports from earlier Gasparilla Parades recount numerous arrests for open container violations, and various citations for civil infractions. Arrests for alcohol related criminal offenses are also very prevalent, particularly in Disorderly Conduct, DUI, Boating, Under the Influence, and Underage Drinking.

Amid and following the Gasparilla events, it is crucial to practice safety and avoid a potential arrest. Be prepared and make the necessary arrangements ahead of time to get home safely.  Be sure to protect the safety of others, and follow the following guidelines provided by the City of Tampa.

The City of Tampa recommends you:

  • Plan your day in Advance – Save time by planning where you will park and the route you plan to take.
  • Pick a meeting place – Select a spot where others in your party will know to return in the event you get separated.
  • Know the “Wet Zones” – The parade route allows participants to drink alcohol openly, but only from vendors selling along the route. No coolers, kegs or open containers are allowed elsewhere on the streets; and absolutely no glass containers.

It is important to quickly consult a Criminal Attorney in the event you are arrested during the Gasparilla parade. A Criminal Attorney can advise you in regards to your rights, and what to do should an arrest take place. Call Blick Law Firm right away at (888) 973-2776 to schedule an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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George Zimmerman | Domestic Violence | Florida


According to CNN reporter Jason Hanna and Steve Almasy, Florida judge on Tuesday set a bail for George Zimmerman at $9,000 and ordered a number of conditions for his release which included no possession of weapons — while he awaits trial on charges he pointed a shotgun at his girlfriend.

Zimmerman was arrested this past Monday at his girlfriend’s Apopka home, only four months after he was acquitted of murdering teenager Trayvon Martin, might post bail Wednesday morning after all the conditions for his release are arranged, a public defender representing him said.

Zimmerman said little as a judge, during Zimmerman’s first appearance Tuesday afternoon in Seminole County court, said he found probable cause for Zimmerman’s arrest on a felony charge of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of domestic violence battery and criminal mischief. Zimmerman’s arraignment is scheduled for January 7.

A prosecutor revealed a new allegation against Zimmerman while trying to argue for a higher bail — that Zimmerman tried to choke his girlfriend a week and a half before Monday’s alleged shotgun incident, and that Zimmerman had talked about suicide.

Bail debates continue; Assistant State Attorney Lymary Munoz argued for $50,000 bail, saying that the new information should heighten concern for the accuser’s safety, though the alleged incident hadn’t been reported to police.

The new allegation is not reflected in the preliminary charges. But Judge Fred Schott cited the choking accusation when he put the bail at $9,000, saying it prompted him to set it higher than the $4,900 requested by the defense.

Jeff Dowdy and Daniel Megaro, the public defenders representing Zimmerman, told reporters afterward that they hadn’t known of the choking allegation previously.

“That was news to us,” Dowdy said. “… That was not contained in the arrest report, and that’s the first we’ve heard about it.”

Schott put conditions on Zimmerman’s bail: He cannot go to two Florida addresses; he cannot have contact with the accuser, Samantha Scheibe; he cannot possess weapons; he must wear a monitoring device; as well as he cannot travel outside Florida.

Megaro told reporters he was certain Zimmerman would be acquitted. Dowdy said Zimmerman would post bail perhaps by Wednesday, “regroup and try to address the charges.”

“He’s maintained his innocence, I’ll tell you that,” Dowdy said

Megaro was asked about Scheibe’s alleged claims that Zimmerman talked about suicide.

“He’s back in jail. Obviously that causes a certain amount of anxiety and stress on somebody. I would not characterize him as what the state attorney has said, meaning he’s suicidal and volatile. We did not get that impression from him,” Megaro said.

Get the rest of the full story here.

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Blick Law Firm Announces Free DUI GPS Alerts on Your Phone

 

 

 

 

 

Blick Law Firm announces DUI campaign to help promote safe driving and awareness about the saturated DUI check points throughout the bay area.

Going out at night? You do not expect to get pulled over. Before going out, Blick Law Firm offers a new campaign to stay off the road and avoid saturated DUI checkpoints.

“Using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, we plan to release public access information the county provides and keep our clients up-to-date with the current DUI checkpoints on weekends, said Jennifer Dawson, DUI paralegal at Blick Law Firm.”

“Following us will allow you to get easy access to stops in the bay area while you are out, directly from your phone.”

This concept will be easily accessible through Blick Law Firm: Facebook and Twitter accounts. Look for the slogan ‘DUI GPS’ during the weekends and on holidays.

Sample Campaign Text:

http://ow.ly/4P5al Going out tonight? Starting next week be sure to follow our updates every weekend so we can inform you of saturated DUI check points throughout the bay area. Make the safe choice, don’t drink and drive. Make sure to follow the DUI GPS!

For more information regarding our new program, check out our Facebook fan page or contact Dana at 813-931-0840!

** To make sure you make it home safely keep your options open with Tampa taxi services: (813) 253-0121. Don’t drink and drive!

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