Posts Tagged ‘Florida DUI’

Target Practice: Breathalyzer Tests and Bread

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

People do not discuss bread and breathalyzer tests in the same conversation very often, if at all.  However one man sought to change that trend.  He conducted a study where he maintained a regular diet and consistently administered a breathalyzer test on himself.  You may wonder what he hoped to achieve by conducting such a study, but what he found may shock you.  His study found that when he consumed bread (of any kind); it registered on the breathalyzer with results no higher than 0.03 and 0.05.  While these results are below the legal limit, it would not take too many alcoholic beverages to push the levels over the legal boundary.  Think about this, if you consume a legal amount of alcohol and eat any kind of bread, you may be putting yourself at risk.

At a later date, another group of researchers tried out the same experiment that was previously discussed in order to refute the findings.  Much to their chagrin, their findings were congruent with the result from the previous experiment.  Both experiments proved that consumption of bread can increase blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.  To further explain this anomaly, we need to consider the science of bread production.  The main ingredient of bread is yeast.  Yeast has to undergo a fermentation process in order for bread to be made.  This is a process that also yields alcohol.  Although most of the alcohol dissolves during the baking process, a measurable amount of alcohol remains in the bread until it is consumed.  The compound Ethanol was also found to have an affect blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.  Taking this into consideration the consumption of a soft drink, which contains Ethanol, may have an effect on breathalyzer results.

There is a high probability that if you consume any kind of bread and an alcoholic beverage in the same sitting, and you take a breathalyzer test immediately following, the testing could yield a faulty result as it would not truly determine your actual blood alcohol content (BAC) level.  Please understand that we are not encouraging you to eat a loaf of bread, drink a bottle of wine and conduct a breathalyzer experiment on yourself.  This is just another bit of corroborated evidence that proves that breathalyzer tests are unreliable.  If you feel the previous discussion may apply to your case, please contact an experienced Florida DUI attorney who may be able to help.

If you or someone you love has been arrested or charged for a Florida DUI, the experienced Florida DUI attorneys at Musca Law have helped many people avoid the extremely harsh consequences of Florida DUI convictions.  We invite you to contact a Florida DUI attorney at Musca Law to schedule a free confidential consultation: (800) 687-2252

Commercial Drivers and DUI

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

While a DUI conviction is a serious matter for anyone, even more stringent rules apply for those with a commercial driver’s license. Most states have adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules for disqualifying a CDL license when there is a DUI conviction. While the blood alcohol concentration for the general population is .08 in all states, the driver of a commercial motor vehicle cannot have a BAC greater than .04. Additionally, a commercial driver can be randomly tested for drug or alcohol use before driving a commercial vehicle, while driving the vehicle or after driving a commercial vehicle. The state or local police have the authority to test a commercial truck driver whenever they suspect that driver of driving under the influence or following an accident in which the truck driver was involved.

Other Drug Testing

Not only can commercial truck drivers be randomly tested for alcohol consumption, they can also be tested for such drugs as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates and phencyclidine. Depending on the specific drug, there may be a length of time that a driver could test positive for the drug—even as long as several weeks.

More Severe Penalties for the CDL Driver

Points are added to your license by the Department of Motor Vehicles for each traffic offense you are convicted of. If you already have a speeding ticket or moving violation, then they are permanently attached to your driving record. The point values increase for commercial drivers, and a conviction for DUI can add two points to your license. Too many points results in suspension or revocation by the DMV of your CDL license.

Additionally, you will face the same issues that anyone who is convicted of DUI will face such as fines, possible jail time, suspension of your driver’s license, mandatory drug and alcohol counseling, probation, not to mention the social stigma that accompanies such a conviction. A DUI conviction can effectively prohibit you from obtaining other forms of employment, as well as getting a professional license. The effects of a DUI are far-reaching, and can literally change your entire future, and if you are a commercial driver, the effects are multiplied exponentially.

Protecting Your CDL License

Even if you were driving your own personal vehicle when you were arrested on suspicion of DUI, your CDL license may still be suspended for up to a year, and you can face jail time and hefty fines should you be convicted. Refusing to take a breathalyzer test when you have a CDL license can cause you to have your license suspended for up to two years, and for most CDL drivers, driving a big truck is how they make their living. You may feel as though literally everything in your life is on the line from this unfortunate incident, and could feel as though your situation is hopeless.

It is very important that you protect your license, your livelihood and your future by contacting an experienced Florida DUI attorney who understands the special circumstances surrounding a commercial driver’s license and a DUI. A commercial driver has much more at stake than the average person arrested for DUI, as regardless of whether you are convicted you may become unemployable, and even if you eventually have your CDL license reinstated many trucking companies will not consider hiring you. You have only ten days from the date of your DUI arrest to request your administrative hearing and prevent the suspension of your CDL, so don’t wait to call a Florida DUI attorney who will fight aggressively for your driving privileges.

Florida Court Rejects No Refusal Checkpoint Procedure in Misdemeanor DUI Cases

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

With Super Bowl Sunday a week away, law enforcement authorities throughout Florida will be ramping up with increased DUI enforcement.  Sobriety checkpoints (i.e. DUI roadblocks) are a popular tool of law enforcement for enforcing DUI laws during major holidays or other events where it is assumed there will be increased drinking and driving.  Fortunately, a recent Florida court decision will deprive law enforcement of a more extensive weapon – forced blood draws in misdemeanor DUI cases.

Florida law enforcement authorities following a trend in a number of states have been arranging to have judges ready to grant warrants to draw blood at so-called “No Refusal Checkpoints.”  When motorists are stopped at these DUI roadblocks and decline to submit to a breath test, a judge is available to immediately issue a warrant which authorizes forcibly taking a blood sample for chemical testing of blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  This procedure poses a particularly onerous infringement on Fourth Amendment search and seizure interests because the initial stop is random and does not require any individualized basis for suspicion.

In the State v. Geiss (Case No. 5D10-3292), the Fifth District Court of Appeals for Florida ruled that the forced blood draw procedure used at “No Refusal Checkpoints” was not authorized under Florida law.  The defendant in the case Gregory Geiss was stopped for suspicion of DUI.  Geiss declined to perform field sobriety tests and also refused to comply with the officer’s demand that the driver submit to a breath test.

The Fifth District Court of Appeals considered three separate challenges to the forced blood draw procedure based on the following: (1) Constitution right to privacy; (2) Florida’s implied consent statute; and (3) Florida’s state warrant statute.  While the court rejected the first two challenges to the forced blood draw procedure, the court ruled that the procedure was invalid under Florida’s warrant statute.  Florida Statute 933.02(3) provides in pertinent part “[u]pon proper affidavits being made, a search warrant may be issued under the provisions of this chapter upon any of the following grounds: (3) [w]hen any property constitutes evidence relevant to proving that a Felony has been committed.”

The court found that the procedure was not authorized under the state warrant statute for misdemeanors, which would include most though not all DUI offenses.  Because this is the first Florida appellate court to rule on this issue, courts throughout the state will look at this decision in misdemeanor DUI cases involving forced blood draws.  Florida law enforcement authorities find forced blood draws attractive because “DUI refusal” cases are more difficult for prosecutors.  If you are charged with DUI following a forced blood draw at a Florida no refusal DUI roadblock, Florida DUI defense attorney John Musca provides zealous DUI defense based on innovative and proven legal strategies and new legal developments.  We invite you to contact a Florida DUI defense attorney at Musca Law to schedule a free confidential consultation at (800) 687-2252 to see how we can help.

Defending Against Florida DUI Charges: Attacking the Conduct and Observations of the Arresting Officer

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

It is normal to experience fear and anxiety if you are arrested for DUI in Florida. A DUI conviction can result in life-altering consequences, but there are many potential defenses that can help you avoid a DUI conviction or reduce the severity of the consequences.  Experienced Florida DUI defense attorney John Musca employs a wide variety of defenses when challenging Florida DUI charges.  One common approach that can be used to effectively challenge Florida DUI charges is to challenge the law enforcement officer’s conduct and observations.

The observations and conduct of a police officer who makes a DUI arrest may provide the foundation of an effective DUI defense from the moment of the officer’s initial stop.  A law enforcement officer may not pull you over simply on a hunch but must have sufficient legal basis to justify a stop, which will typically be some form of “erratic driving” like swerving or a traffic violation like speeding.  While these may constitute sufficient grounds to conduct a brief traffic stop and inquire further, they will not justify initiating a DUI investigation.

During the time you are detained, the officer will be looking for other signs of intoxication, including red, watery eyes, the odor of alcohol, slurred speech and/or a lack of coordination.  Sometimes an officer will testify to these observations almost as a matter of rote because they are the standard indicators referred to in virtually every DUI case.  The police report or the officer’s testimony may reveal that the officer is inconsistent about his observations, or the officer’s testimony or police report may make it improbable that the officer could have observed the behavior relied on to justify a DUI investigation.  Reports of these observations are so automatic that some police officers even use pre-formatted reports including these observations.

DUI defense attorney John Musca often reviews prior DUI reports by the officer to identify potential cases of pro-forma reports that are not specifically based on the officer’s observations in your DUI case.  We may attack the veracity and accuracy of the officer’s observations because these observations may be the sole legal basis for initiating a DUI investigation.  If the observations are inaccurate or false, we may be able to have all subsequent evidence excluded because the officer lacked sufficient legal cause to initiate a DUI investigation.

The officer’s observations and credibility are also important when attacking field sobriety tests (FSTs).  Officers are expected to have specialized training in the administration and scoring of these tests.  The officer is expected to follow very specific procedures, provide detailed explanations and utilize objective scoring.  When the officer fails to comply with the strict procedures and scoring criteria for FSTs, the reliability of the test may be challenged.  An experienced Florida DUI attorney may even be able to have the FST results suppressed if they were conducted or scored improperly.

Another area where the officer’s credibility may be challenged is with regard to past misconduct, discipline or dishonesty.  When building a Florida DUI defense strategy, John Musca will often evaluate an officer’s personnel file, disciplinary record and prior testimony to identify misconduct or dishonesty that may be used to persuade a judge or jury that the officer’s testimony is not credible.  The key point is that skilled DUI defense attorney John Musca may be able to attack the officer’s accuracy, reliability or honesty to obtain a favorable resolution to your Florida DUI case.  We invite you to contact Florida DUI defense attorney at Musca Law to schedule a free confidential consultation: (800) 687-2252 to see how we can help.

The Impact of a Florida DUI Conviction on Career Aspirations

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

One of the top safety experts in the country has landed in the uncomfortable position of being arrested for the unsafe behavior of driving under the influence of alcohol.  The chief of the Federal Aviation Administration, Jerome Babbit, was arrested earlier this month for DUI in Fairfax, Virginia.  While Babbitt’s DUI arrest may be surprising given his prominent position in public transportation safety, DUI arrests impact people from all walks of life including judges, police officers, lawyers, doctors, politicians and even high level officials from MADD.  While many people become focused on criticism and judgment, a better approach might be to focus on education, counseling and other programs that are more effective in discouraging driving while intoxicated.

Drunken driving is not confined to a particular social-economic group or educational and career background but may impact anyone and devastate a promising future.  Babbitt has taken a leave of absence from his prominent position since his arrest for DUI.  There are many with successful careers that see their occupational future harmed by a DUI conviction.  Whether a Florida DUI conviction comes at an early point in one’s career training and education or at the zenith of one’s career, a criminal record for DUI can permanently derail one’s life plan.  A young person arrested and convicted of a Florida DUI may be denied college admission, dismissed from college or be denied financial aid.

Even more damaging consequences may be faced by someone convicted of DUI while in professional school like law school.  Some college students in professional school borrow in excess of a hundred thousand dollars to finance their education only to have a DUI conviction toward the end of their schooling disqualify them from professional licensing.  This can be financially devastating because student loans are not forgiven merely because the recipient becomes ineligible.  If you are forced to follow a career path that does not have the same earning potential, a DUI conviction while in professional school can result in lifelong financial hardship.

There are also many other occupations that may be foreclosed by a DUI conviction.  A Florida DUI conviction can seriously damage one’s long-term financial and career prospects, but a DUI arrest does not necessarily lead to a DUI conviction.  There are many viable defenses that experienced Florida DUI lawyer John Musca employs to defend his clients from these harsh educational and occupational consequences.  If you or someone close to you has been arrested for DUI, our dedicated team of Florida DUI defense lawyers are prepared to fight for the future of our clients.  If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, we invite you to contact a Florida DUI defense attorney at Musca Law to schedule a free confidential consultation: (800) 687-2252.

When Our Children Face Criminal Charges From A Florida DUI

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

It is always frightening if someone close to you faces criminal charges, but what about when it is one of your kids?  What do you need to do?  What are your child’s rights?  What might you and your child be facing?  These are just some of the questions you may face if your child is charged with a DUI or a criminal offense.

Fortunately, the State of Florida is not exclusively focused on punishment when those who are underage commit a crime.  Florida’s juvenile justice system is founded on the theory that sometimes juveniles (youths under the legal age of 18) may have made an immature mistake, whether due to peer pressure or ignorance of the possible consequences of their actions.  The system is designed to accommodate the premise that many young people make mistakes although they are not really a threat to society or likely to engage in future criminal activity.  The system is designed to keep juvenile offenders, particularly first time offenders, from potentially devastating and life-altering consequences by protecting them from being charged as an adult and having a permanent adult criminal record.  Most importantly, the juvenile courts are dedicated to protecting the rights of innocent juveniles.

A juvenile offender who is found guilty of committing a criminal offense, such as a DUI, may receive a punishment, which imposes probation where he/she must complete and comply with all court-ordered sanctions and special conditions as opposed to incarceration in the juvenile justice system. Conditions may include being ordered to abide by a curfew, work community service hours, pay the victim restitution, submit to an evaluation and/or attend counseling.

If the offense warrants, juveniles may be ordered to submit a biological specimen for DNA testing. They may also be ordered to attend a probation day treatment program for monitoring purposes as well as offering an alternative educational setting including anger management classes, social skills building and substance abuse education among other things.  Parents and guardians are expected to assist and encourage their child to fulfill all the terms and conditions of their child’s probation.

If your child violates the conditions of probation or the court determines that probation is inappropriate, your child may be sentenced to placement in a Department of Juvenile Justice Detention Center.  While this is not something anyone wants for his or her child, it certainly is preferable to incarceration in an adult detention facility.

The State of Florida is divided into three regions, each containing no less than 7 (as of July 2010) juvenile detention centers so a child is never far from home or family.  The purpose of these centers is to provide a safe and restrictive environment for juveniles requiring secure residential detention and to insure that those detained will be available for scheduled court hearings.  Visitation is an encouraged privilege, and juvenile offenders can “earn” extra visitation in half-hour increments.  Incoming and out-going mail is permitted, and outgoing mail is uncensored. There are rules and regulations governing both visitation and mail, but it is comforting to know that they are enforced to protect the safety and welfare of juvenile detainees as opposed to just their jailers.

While the structure of the juvenile system does provide some good news for parents, there is also bad news.  Under Florida law (F.S. 985), parents, guardians and even non-custodial parents may be charged for the supervision, care, support, and maintenance of their child while in a detention facility and under home detention as well as while under probation supervision and conditional release just to name a few circumstances.  This can be very expensive, but an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney will work to keep your child from incarceration in a juvenile detention facility by seeking a dismissal or reduction in charges.  Our experienced Florida DUI attorneys frequently represent juveniles accused of underage drinking and DUI.

If your child has been arrested and charged with DUI, our experienced Florida DUI attorneys will explore all possible strategies to protect your child’s freedom and future.  Sometimes if your child is charged with a particularly serious criminal offense, the prosecutor may seek to charge your child as an adult and negate all of the protections discussed above.  If your child is accused of a crime, our experienced Florida DUI defense attorneys are available to protect your child’s rights and offer a zealous defense.

Avoiding a Lifetime of Problems for Teens Accused of Florida DUI

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

If your teenager is arrested and suffers a Florida DUI conviction, it can have an enormous negative impact on your teenager’s life.  A teen driver arrested for DUI may face incarceration in county jail or state prison, substantial fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, mandatory counseling and community service and other penalties, but this is only part of the story.  This list only includes the direct criminal consequences of a DUI conviction in Florida.  The reality is that these consequences can seem relatively minor compared to the potential long-term impact on the life of a Florida teen convicted of DUI.

Most parents plan on their child attending college and obtaining a successful future career.  These hopes can be dramatically impacted by a DUI conviction.  Some college programs and professional schools require disclosure of DUI convictions and will deny admission to someone with a Florida DUI conviction.  Even if your teenager is able to obtain admission with a Florida DUI conviction, a criminal DUI record can disqualify your teen for some forms of financial aid, which can make college less affordable.

While you may be able to navigate around restrictions on admission and financial aid when your teen is applying for college, the problem will continue to follow your teenager.  Many professional schools including law school have rules prohibiting a professional license to those with a conviction of a criminal offense of “moral turpitude,” which may include a DUI conviction.  This means that a single transgression can haunt your child for years.  Many occupations that require governmental licensing like being a teacher, real estate broker/agent or securities trader also may contain similar restrictions.

Future employers and landlords may have access to your child’s record of a DUI conviction because they are a matter of public record unless your child is a juvenile.  This means that every time your child applies for a job or to rent a property your child may have to explain a criminal record, which can be extremely damaging in a tough job market.

Because a Florida DUI conviction can damage your teen’s future for many years, it is essential to obtain legal representation from an experienced Florida DUI lawyer.  Florida DUI defense attorney John Musca points out that many DUI cases can be successfully defended, which can prevent a lifetime of challenges for your teen.  Musca indicates that the trial success rate in the U.S. for those accused of DUI is fairly high so it is never a good idea to simply plead out with a public defender.

If your teenager is facing Florida DUI charges, our experienced Florida DUI defense lawyers understand what is at stake, and they are prepared to provide a tenacious defense.  We have successfully represented many young people in DUI cases with an eye to protecting their future.  If your child has been charged with DUI, we invite you to contact a Florida DUI lawyer at Musca Law to schedule a free confidential consultation: (800) 687-2252.

St. Patrick’s DUI Crackdown

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

It is never wise to drink and drive.  Regardless of the amount that you have had to drink, alcohol still has an adverse impact on your driving ability.  Even if you are involved in an accident that would have been unavoidable if you were sober, you likely will suffer additional civil and criminal consequences if you are over the legal limit of .08 percent BAC for Florida.  This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Florida provided yet another reason to avoid drinking and driving.  Florida police cracked down on drunk driving and mobilized resources they normally keep hidden. “Wolf Pack” forces planned to saturate areas with multiple highly coordinated officers trained to hunt down drunk drivers.  Checkpoints were also posted along major roads and common detours around such roads. The police attempted to keep as much as they could about their tactics, position, and timing hidden from the public to ensure the best “haul”.

Secrecy, checkpoints, and “wolf packs” sound ominous, and they mean DUI arrests and adverse consequences including jail time, lost driving privileges, fines and more.  Police aggressively targeted drivers this weekend, which means many innocent drivers were arrested and charged.  While police are searching specifically for those driving while impaired, they will be happy to arrest you for any other criminal offense that the officer can find, such as driving on a suspended license.

The overzealous nature of such tactics means that you are much more likely to be charged in what is actually a very marginal case.  If you are pulled over, do not answer any questions beyond your name, address, license and registration.  A police officer’s job is to find evidence of wrongdoing, and so every piece of information you provide him with is an additional piece of evidence he will try to use to justify your arrest and eventual conviction.  You should politely decline to answer any questions without legal advice.  You should request an attorney and contact one as soon as possible.  It is a good idea to decline field sobriety tests and a portable breath test at the scene of your DUI stop.

If you were arrested for DUI this St Patrick’s Day weekend, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.  Your license will have been taken when you were arrested for DUI and the clock is running in terms of obtaining a temporary license.  You have only 10 days to file for an appeal of an administrative suspension of your license.  If you were arrested for DUI during the St. Patrick’s Day DUI crackdown, our experienced Florida DUI attorneys will diligently pursue the best possible outcome in your case.

DUI Checkpoint Apps Come Under Fire

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Four senators have forwarded a letter to Apple, Google and Blackberry asking the companies to remove an app that advises drivers on the times and location of DUI checkpoints.  The senators have indicated that the app is merely a means for drunk drivers to avoid detection.  The apps also advise drivers of the location of red light cameras, but the letter did not specifically address this use of the application.  They have requested that the wireless communication providers either disable the app or remove it from their stores.  Unfortunately, this is another attempt to affect an end run around the requirements of the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable search and seizures in DUI cases.  Our Florida DUI attorneys are committed to preventing a further erosion of Constitutional protections of the Fourth Amendment.

We have previously addressed how the U.S. Supreme Court, in Michigan vs. Stitz, effectively created a “DUI exception” to the Fourth Amendment by permitting a balancing test weighing the importance of preventing drunk driving against the degree of intrusion on a motorist’s Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizures.  A stop of a vehicle at a sobriety checkpoint results in a seizure of the driver because they are deprived of their liberty when they are detained.  This stop occurs not only without a warrant but also without a scintilla of evidence to support individualized suspicion.  A sobriety checkpoint is unique in that it permits an officer to stop and question a person where there is absolutely no evidence that the motorist is engaged in criminal activity.

However, the Supreme Court also imposed limits and restrictions on how a DUI checkpoint is designed and operated to minimize the risk that it would be used for arbitrary investigations of drivers (“fishing expeditions) without some factual basis for suspicion and to minimize the intrusion on a driver’s Fourth Amendment rights.  The letter from the senators conveniently ignores an important requirement imposed by the courts in permitting DUI checkpoints:

  • The time and location of the DUI checkpoint must be published in advance

The wireless communication apps that the senators have complained about simply provide an effective way to communicate the location and time of checkpoints to drivers.  The real complaint is that unlike publishing the location and time of checkpoints in a small blurb in a local newspaper where it is likely to be missed, the DUI checkpoint app is actually effective at communicating this information to drivers so that they can avoid an intrusion on their Fourth Amendment rights if they wish to do so.  Put another way, the complaint about the apps is that they actually protect drivers by providing information to drivers that the U.S. Supreme Court indicated had to be made available to the public.

It remains to be seen whether the app providers will cave to this pressure which is likely to grow as we hear the litany of evils committed by drunk drivers.  I suspect it will not be accompanied by the litany of evils that accompany continued intrusions on the Fourth Amendment rights of citizens.

Creators of Ignition Interlock Devices Fight for Installation

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

An ignition interlock device is a small mechanism that does the same purpose of a breathalyzer, but it is attached to the dashboard of a car or truck. In order to get the vehicle to start, the driver has to breathe into the ignition interlock device. If the breathalyzer gets a reading higher than the desired blood alcohol level, the mechanism prevents the car from starting. It also tests the blood alcohol level after the car has started so that someone sober does not take the breath test for the intoxicated driver.

This device sounds like a great idea but as with most technology, it has its flaws. They can be unreliable and has the potential to be dangerous especially when it does breathalyzer tests on the highways or interstates. There are organizations that have been pushing for these devices to become mandatory for all vehicles. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is one of these organizations. It has really been focusing on trying to get installation on these mechanisms in all vehicles. They have said that they think these devices with eradicate drunk driving completely. Nissan, Chrysler, and GM are three of the six companies that donate the most money to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

They also stand to make millions through the vehicular installation of the ignition interlock devices. Now the manufacturers of theses mechanisms are hiring lobbyist to get bills passed that require the breathalyzer devices to be installed in all vehicles. The bill that they are pulling for would make ignition interlock devices a multimillion-dollar market almost instantaneously.

Lobbyist have worked to add a package to the bottom of the transportation reauthorization bill, a Christmas tree bill, that was released by Representative John Mica, a republican from Florida. David Kelly is a former chief of staff and is the current administrator at the National Highway and Traffic Safely Administration. The Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufacturers recently hired him to lobby on their behalf. Tim Yehl is lobbying for Ignition Interlock Systems of Iowa. They have some successful and big named lobbyists working on their behalf.

The makers of the device are joining with companies that support the bill that makes the ignition devices a requirement in all vehicles in order to ensure that they both get rich through the installation. This is not an altruistic act; MADD, their contributors, as well as the makers of the ignition interlock devices have a lot to gain through the implement of the bill.