Archive for the ‘Celebrity DUIs in Florida’ Category
Monday, April 18th, 2011
Ozzie Canseco, the twin of former beleaguered major league baseball player Jose Canseco, was recently arrested in Florida for DUI. Ozzie Canseco’s recent DUI arrest is the latest in a series of run-ins with the law including two prior Florida arrests. Reports indicate that Canseco was stopped by a deputy for speeding. During the traffic stop, the Hillsborough sheriff’s deputy developed a suspicion that Canseco was intoxicated based on multiple indicators including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol. It also has been reported that Canseco performed field sobriety tests and submitted to breath testing with BAC results of .108 and .109 percent.
Canseco, who was selected by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 1983 draft, had a long minor league career and played briefly for the Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals. He has also played in Japan, but his major league career was not as storied as Jose his more famous brother who hit 462 home runs during his major league career.
Canseco has been arrested in Florida on two prior occasions. Canseco was previously arrested in 2003 after deputies found anabolic steroids in his car during a routine traffic stop for illegal window tinting. Canseco pleaded guilty to possession of drugs in the 2003 criminal case and served four months in jail. Ozzie Canseco also was arrested in Florida with his brother on Halloween of 2001 when the two got into a physical altercation with tourists who suffered injuries during the fight. Both Canseco brothers pled guilty to aggravated battery, and Ozzie Canseco was sentenced to 18 months of probation, anger management classes, and 200 hours of community service.
Florida’s “per se” DUI provision provides that if one’s BAC is .08 percent or higher the driver is deemed to be legally impaired while operating a motor vehicle. Florida DUI attorney John Musca points out that a first time DUI offense in Florida does not typically result in jail time unless there are aggravating factors, such as, accidents, injuries, extremely high BAC or other factors. Even if Canseco does not serve jail time, he may still be sentenced to probation, fines, DUI school and restricted or suspended driving privileges. If you are arrested for a Florida DUI, you should contact an experienced Florida DUI attorney who will investigate your case and advise you regarding potential defenses and possible penalties.
Call 1 (800) 687-2252 For a Free Consultation With a Florida DUI Lawyer In Your Area
Hiring a Florida DUI attorney to aggressively defend you can help you obtain the best possible result in your case. Call our toll-free, Florida DUI Helpline at 1 (800) 687-2252 or search our Florida DUI Lawyer directory for a law firm near you (by appointment only).
Tags: Florida DUI Attorney, Ozzie Canseco Arrested in Florida for DUI
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Thursday, April 14th, 2011
One of Tiger Woods alleged mistresses extended her fifteen minutes of fame when she was convicted for a Florida DUI. Mindy Lawton who alleged she was one of Tiger Woods many mistresses has been sentenced to one year in jail for a 2008 Florida DUI related accident resulting in injuries to the other driver. Lawton’s sentence also included five years of probation, 50 hours of community service and a 180-day license revocation.
Lawton was arrested for DUI following a 2008 car crash in which the other driver suffered serious injuries including broken ribs, back and facial injuries and memory loss. Lawton’s BAC level at the time of the accident was reported to be .18 or more than double the BAC legal limit under Florida law. The seriousness of her sentence reflects the fact that she was involved in an accident resulting in physical injury to another person while driving drunk.
Lawton claims to have met Tiger Woods in 2006 while she was employed as a manager at a Perkins coffee shop. She went public regarding the affair after Woods crashed his SUV following an argument with his wife on Thanksgiving Day in 2009.
Any person involved in an auto accident causing serious injury, whom is also accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will likely face a serious felony offense. Any DUI violation resulting in serious bodily injury to another is a 3rd degree felony under Florida DUI law. If you are charged with a DUI accident in which someone is seriously injured, you need an experienced and diligent Florida DUI defense lawyer who will exhaustively investigate the facts of your case and develop an effective defense strategy.
You have a lot at stake if you are charged with a DUI and are also involved in an auto accident causing injuries to another person. An experienced Florida DUI attorney will investigate the facts of your case including witness statements, police reports, field sobriety testing results, blood alcohol testing results, police procedure and other key factors that provide a basis for your Florida DUI defense.
Call 1 (800) 687-2252 For a Free Consultation With a Florida DUI Lawyer In Your Area
Hiring a Florida DUI attorney to aggressively defend you can help you obtain the best possible result in your case. Call our toll-free, Florida DUI Helpline at 1 (800) 687-2252 or search our Florida DUI Lawyer directory for a law firm near you (by appointment only).
Free eBook – How To Beat a DUI in Florida:
Florida DUI lawyer discusses the ways in which someone charged with a DUI in Florida can fight their DUI charges and possibly win their a DUI trial in Florida. Click Here For How To Beat A DUI in Florida.
Tags: DUI trial in Florida, Florida DUI defense, How To Beat A DUI in Florida
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Friday, April 8th, 2011
We have previously written about the significant long-term impact that a Florida DUI conviction can have on one’s career and professional reputation. A front runner for leadership in the Florida GOP is now experiencing how an old DUI conviction can follow someone for years. Deborah Cox-Roush was convicted of DUI in 2004, and her conviction is now being raised in the context of her proposed role as the leader of the Florida GOP. This issue has become enough of an impediment to her political aspirations that she wrote a letter in an attempt to diffuse the issue. Although she has no other history of problems with the law or prior driving under the influence arrests, this single conviction which occurred over six years ago continues to be a thorn in her side. As Ms. Cox-Roush is learning, a Florida DUI conviction can have serious negative consequences for one’s future even beyond the immediate criminal sentence which may include incarceration, fines, suspension of one’s driving privileges, drunk driving classes, probation and more. Because of the serious consequences of a Florida DUI conviction, it is critical to retain an experienced Florida DUI defense attorney as soon as you are arrested for DUI in Florida.
Ms. Cox-Roush issued a statement regarding the incident explaining that she was returning home from the St. Pete Times Forum, after watching the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team win the Stanley Cup. She indicated that on her way home she was stopped at a sobriety checkpoint. This case shows how troubling a DUI conviction can be because the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s website clearly indicates that Ms. Cox-Roush’s blood alcohol level (BAL) was .163 percent, which is double the legal limit in Florida. As Ms. Cox-Roush discovered, anyone can discover information about a Florida DUI conviction and sentence as well as more specific details, such as one’s blood alcohol level at the time of the arrest with a quick and simple search on the Internet. In fact, more cities and law enforcement agencies are proposing publishing this information to create a sort of “Wall of Shame” on the web.
It is not just the disclosure of a DUI arrest or conviction that is problematic for Ms. Cox Roush or others that find themselves similarly situated, but the fact that minute details regarding the Florida DUI case are made available to the public. Some credit reporting agencies even include DUI convictions on credit reports making it even more difficult to protect one’s reputation and career. A .163 percent blood alcohol level is so high that under Florida DUI law it results in a more severe penalty that is triggered by a blood alcohol level that exceeds .15 percent. This type of disclosure is even more damaging than the mere fact of a prior Florida DUI arrest or conviction. Florida DUI convictions will remain on your record for years and will lead to more severe sentencing in subsequent cases. Even if you are arrested for a DUI many years later in another state, a prosecutor may try to use a relatively ancient DUI conviction to enhance your penalty.
The potential negative consequences of a Florida DUI conviction to one’s reputation and career can hardly be overstated. If you have been arrested and/or charged with a Florida DUI, it is very important to indicate that you do not wish to speak to anyone until you have a Florida DUI attorney present for any questioning. Your Florida DUI defense attorney will carefully investigate the facts of your case and analyze potential defense strategies designed to reduce your charges or seek a dismissal of the charges.
Call 1 (800) 687-2252 For a Free Consultation With a Florida DUI Lawyer In Your Area
Hiring a Florida DUI attorney to aggressively defend you can help you obtain the best possible result in your case. Call our toll-free, Florida DUI Helpline at 1 (800) 687-2252 or search our Florida DUI Lawyer directory for a law firm near you (by appointment only).
Free eBook – How To Beat a DUI in Florida:
Florida DUI lawyer discusses the ways in which someone charged with a DUI in Florida can fight their DUI charges and possibly win their a DUI trial in Florida. Click Here For How To Beat A DUI in Florida.
Tags: Cost of a Florida DUI, Deborah Cox-Roush DUI in 2004, Effects of a Florida DUI Conviction
Posted in Celebrity DUIs in Florida, Cost of A Florida DUI | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
Former Partridge Family star David Cassidy pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol on the Florida turnpike near Fort Pierce last week. The former teen idol was pulled over on November 3 when a Florida State Trooper noticed Cassidy swerving as he drove his vehicle. According to law enforcement officials, Cassidy was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he failed. It was also reported that Cassidy submitted to a breath test and his blood alcohol content was .139 percent and .141 percent. The legal limit for DUI “per se” in Florida is .08 percent, which means that one is presumed to be impaired. Cassidy was sentenced to a year of probation and had his driving privileges suspended for six months.
If you are arrested for a Florida DUI, it is important that you obtain an experienced Florida DUI attorney to challenge field sobriety testing, DUI breath tests and other evidence against you. A Florida DUI conviction can have a devastating impact on your career and your future but retaining a Florida DUI attorney can be the first step to getting your life back on track.
Cassidy reportedly denied being drunk during the ordeal, despite a half-empty bottle of liquor being spotted inside his Mercedes. He also claimed that he would fight the charges contending that he was not intoxicated. He claimed that the Breathalyzer was inaccurately measured. In the end, Cassidy plead no contest and receive a typical sentence for a first time DUI offender with who is represented by an experienced DUI defense attorney in Florida.
Cassidy’s arrest also is an example of the negative publicity and exposure that can accompany a DUI arrest. Surveillance video of Cassidy failing the field sobriety tests was made public adding insult to injury. However, there is a potential silver lining to this embarrassing trend to document and make public details regarding a DUI arrest. Video evidence of field sobriety tests or of the officer’s conduct during a DUI stop and investigation may provide evidence that an experienced Florida DUI attorney can use to develop a successful Florida DUI defense strategy. There are also reports that Cassidy’s DUI conviction may cost him an upcoming role on Celebrity Apprentice. It is often argued that celebrities get special consideration and do not suffer the same disadvantages as ordinary citizens convicted of DUI or other criminal offenses. However, Cassidy may suffer the same job loss and career disruption as ordinary folks convicted of a DUI
Call 1 (800) 687-2252 For a Free Consultation With a Florida DUI Lawyer In Your Area
Hiring a Florida DUI attorney to aggressively defend you can help you obtain the best possible result in your case. Call our toll-free, Florida DUI Helpline at 1 (800) 687-2252 or search our Florida DUI Lawyer directory for a law firm near you (by appointment only).
Free eBook – How To Beat a DUI in Florida:
Florida DUI lawyer discusses the ways in which someone charged with a DUI in Florida can fight their DUI charges and possibly win their a DUI trial in Florida. Click Here For How To Beat A DUI in Florida.
Tags: Celebrities facing DUI charges in Florida, David Cassidy Florida DUI, Florida DUI Lawyer
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Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Miguel Cabrera, who had a near MVP season for the Detroit Tigers, was arrested for drunk driving in Florida on Wednesday. Cabrera, who openly discussed his struggles with alcohol following a domestic dispute in 2009, had appeared to recover nicely from the 2009 incident. Cabrera was arrested Wednesday in Florida and charged with DUI and two counts of resisting arrest. The St Lucie County Sheriff’s report indicated that Cabrera openly drank from a bottle of whiskey as the police approached his vehicle, which was parked on the side of the road with smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The police claim that Cabrera became “belligerent and combative” and refused to submit to a breath test. Cabrera was booked shortly after midnight and released early Thursday morning on $1350 bond.
While many people assume that a Florida DUI arrest only happens to other people, Cabrera is an example of the risks that a struggle with alcohol can pose for many drivers. Cabrera is set to make $20 million during the upcoming baseball season as part of his eight-year $152.3 million contract. His recent DUI arrest casts a cloud over a promising career and shows that even with a successful professional baseball career and a multi-million dollar annual income, he is not immune to struggles with alcohol which eventually turned into a Florida DUI arrest.
Florida has an “Implied Consent Law” which provides that by exercising the privilege of driving in Florida a person consents to submit to chemical testing via blood, breath or urine if the driver is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Cabrera’s refusal to take any of the tests will result in a one-year driver’s suspension unless an experienced Florida DUI lawyer is able to fight the suspension. If Cabrera is arrested for another Florida DUI and refuses to submit to a breath test again, he may face an 18-month driver’s license suspension for a second refusal to take a breath test.
Cabrera could face suspension or other adverse actions by Major League Baseball if he is convicted for a Florida DUI offense and may suffer other adverse effects associated with a Florida DUI conviction including a blow to his professional reputation and loss of endorsements. As a first time Florida DUI offender, Cabrera could face the following sentence:
- Jail up to a maximum of 6 months
- Fine of $250-500
- 50 hours of community service
- 6 month license revocation
- One year of probation
- DUI school
While Cabrera will not necessarily face jail time for a Florida DUI first-offense, his struggles with alcohol have certainly cast a cloud over what has been a promising baseball career. An experienced Florida DUI defense attorney may raise questions about whether Cabrera was actually in “control” of his vehicle at the time of his Florida DUI arrest. The vehicle was stopped and Cabrera was out of the car, but it is unclear whether the engine was running or whether the keys were in the ignition. The police will certainly argue that because the engine of the vehicle was emitting smoke Cabrera must have been driving shortly before.
If you find yourself in Cabrera’s position, it is never a good idea to openly consume alcohol in the presence of the police or to become belligerent. The best approach if you are stopped or arrested for a Florida DUI is to politely decline to answer questions until you have had the opportunity to speak with a Florida DUI defense attorney. You also should never admit that you were drinking and driving let alone drink in front of the officer who pulled you over for DUI.
Call 1 (800) 687-2252 For a Free Consultation With a Florida DUI Lawyer In Your Area
Hiring a Florida DUI attorney to aggressively defend you can help you obtain the best possible result in your case. Call our toll-free, Florida DUI Helpline at 1 (800) 687-2252 or search our Florida DUI Lawyer directory for a law firm near you (by appointment only).
Free eBook – How To Beat a DUI in Florida:
Florida DUI lawyer discusses the ways in which someone charged with a DUI in Florida can fight their DUI charges and possibly win their a DUI trial in Florida. Click Here For How To Beat A DUI in Florida.
Tags: Florida DUI Attorney, Miguel Cabrera’s Florida DUI arrest
Posted in Celebrity DUIs in Florida | Comments Off
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