If you?ve been stuck on Victory Boulevard or Burbank Boulevard in heavy traffic, chances are you?ve had the opportunity to gaze at billboards for lawyers who specialize in Los Angeles DUI and criminal defense. Whatever you feel about the attorneys who put up these ads, you'd think they'd know enough to stay out of trouble themselves.
Unfortunately, even legal professionals, judges, police officers, and law makers who encode the laws for Burbank DUI, Pasadena DUI, Glendale DUI, and Los Angeles DUI can lose their bearings and get into trouble with our state?s anti-DUI laws.
Although say today?s blog post is about an event out of Orange Country, Florida, its implications for DUI defense are pretty universal. Let?s take a look:
Dan Newlin, a 43-year old Orange County, Florida DUI lawyer, had been returning home with a companion, Andreina Mujica, when Mujica ran a red light and got stopped by a police officer. Newlin pulled over to check on Mujica. As he walked over, the officer noted that Newlin appeared to be stumbling; he suspected the attorney of driving under the influence.
According to Newlin?s report, he had indeed imbibed two drinks over the evening. But he vehemently denied that he was over the South Florida (and Burbank DUI) limit of 0.08% BAC. ?Newlin brushed off the officer?s allegation as absurd: 'How can you see one staggering when you're walking through a grassy median makes no sense.'
Newlin refused to take a field sobriety test but agreed to take a blood test. But when he arrived at the Orange County jail, he was not offered a blood test. According to Allen Moore, a spokesman, the jail does not conduct blood tests. Newlin, a former Sheriff?s Detective, made a $500 jail bond and left jail just after 9 am.
Was Newlin treated fairly by police? Without deeper analysis of what happened, it?s impossible to say. News reports like these often unwittingly bias readers one way or another ? as with any Burbank DUI situation, the only way to really get at the truth is to engage in a long and discerning probe of the evidence and testimony.
Unfortunately for Mr. Newlin, irrespective of whether he can vindicate himself and clear his record, his business may suffer. Newlin contends that the officer who arrested him knew him by name, and that that?s why the arrest occurred. Here's exactly what he said: ?100%, the facts will show that Dan Newlin was not impaired while driving. He was not even cited for any traffic violations, had stopped to assist another motorist, a friend, and then was detained by an overzealous OPD officer they knew me by name and immediately detained me.?
The major takeaway here is that DUI arrests can be scary, no matter how well you know the law, and no matter how trained you are. To get over that feeling of overwhelm and anxiety, consult with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney with a great record at jury trials, and lots of experience as a former prosecutor. Connect with Mr. Michael Kraut of the Kraut Law Group in Burbank at 2600 West Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, Burbank, California 91505 Phone: (818) 563-9810 to get a free and completely confidential consultation about what to do next.
