4th of July DUI Checkpoint Stop - Drug Dogs, Vehicle Search, Officer Questioning

DUI Checkpoints are commonplace around holidays, particularly summer holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day (4th of July). Officers know seem to use the stops to crack down on drunk driving, driving under the influence, underage drinking, traffic offenses, public intoxication, fake id and other criminal charges.

 

This past 4th of July weekend, a youtube video began circulating showing a young man going through a DUI Checkpoint. Once the video hit youtube, well, you know what happened: It went viral.

The video shows the young man entering the checkpoint, the encounters with the police officers and the subsequent "search" by the drug dogs.

 

The video raises several interesting constitutional and civility issues from the viewpoint of attorneys, police officers and citizens. 

 

I encourage you to watch the video and discuss with your family and friends.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

West Virginia to step up distracted-driving fight - Texting/CellPhone Ban goes in effect July 1, 2013

For years the evidence has shown that distracted drivers are just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than drunk drivers.

 

With repeat news accounts of car accidents caused by a person distracted while texting or talking on the cell phone, the State West Virginia has taken a bold step to protect the citizens and visitors of their state by enacting a Distracted Driving Law that goes into effect July 1, 2013.

 

Read More here: http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201306290027

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Chesney Concert Ends With Fights, Arrests for Criminal Charges

The excitement over Kenny Chesney Concert in Pittsburgh proved to be a little too much for some people with the night ending with several fights and numerous arrests for underage drinking, public intoxication, DUI, Aggravated assault, fake id, disorderly conduct, public urination and other criminal charges.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/06/23/chesney-concert-ends-with-fights-arrests/


---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Facing a Probation Violation?

When arrested and convicted for a criminal offense, a Defendant can be sentenced to probation, which is typically a term of supervision by a probation officer where the Defendant is required to obey all laws, check in periodically with the assigned officer and most importantly, refrain from being arrested for any additional charges.

 

If the Defendant get arrested while on probation, the Judge who imposed the probation usually places a probation detain on the Defendant, which means, if the Defendant is arrested on new charges, goes to the county jail and posts bail, the Defendant will not be able to leave the jail due to the detainer being placed on their docket.

 

Probation detainers typically can only be addressed after the case for which the detainer was lodged is closed. For example, Defendant is on probation for Aggravated Assault and while on probation gets arrested for a DUI. A probation detainer is lodged due to the violation of probation: getting a new charge while on probation. In this case, the detainer will be addressed once the DUI charge is resolved and the Defendant remains in jail until the probation violation hearing.

 

An experienced criminal defense Attorney can assist with probation violations by suggesting alternative confinement placement for the Defendant to serve the detainer period. Or, in the Alternative, the Attorney can file a motion to have the detainer lifted by the original Judge who imposed the probation detainer.

 

In either case, the earlier the Attorney is involved in the case and made aware of the violation, the better chance of the detainer being lifted or transferred to another place of confinement.  Our experienced staff members are knowledgeable of probation detainers, violations and work hard to quickly to resolve the possible violation.

 

Contact our office today to schedule a Free Consultation.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw

Things to Consider for a Bail Hearing

Our office receives many calls from clients seeking a bail attorney: Someone to argue for a bail reduction for a client.

Request for a bail reduction should be thoroughly researched prior to making the request. For example, how many times has the Defendant failed to appear in the past? Is the Defendant charged with a violent offense? What are the Defendant's ties to the community? Does the Defendant live in the jurisdiction?

These are just some of the questions the presiding Judge will need answered prior to even considering a bail reduction. An experienced Bail Attorney will review the Defendants entire background including family background, criminal history, meet with the bail agency and review all documents on the case prior to filing a petition requesting a reduction in bail.

If you are looking to hire an Attorney to file a petition for a bail reduction, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and review of the paperwork for the case. Our staff will research the issue, file the petition and attend the hearing to request the reduction.

---------
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense & Injury Attorney Frank Walker
Pittsburgh Criminal Defense - Injury Site
Morgantown, West Virginia Criminal Defense Site
1-800-496-4143 Toll Free
412.315.7441 Office
412.532.6805 Cell

Follow us on Twitter @frankwalkerlaw