Monday, July 7, 2014

July 4th D.U.I. Arrest

July 4th D.U.I. Arrest

This is Attorney Joseph Paletta.  A significant portion of my law practice (www.lawyerpaletta.com) is dedicated to D.U.I.defense.  Therefore, I know from 25 years of experience that along with the celebrations with family and friends for the 4th of July holiday, a number of good people will make a bad choice, the choice to drink and drive. 

Many refer to this situation as “Drunk Driving.”  However, this is not completely accurate.  The law does not merely prohibit “drunk” driving.  The law is titled, and prohibits, “DrivingUnder the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substances” (drugs or medications).  Please understand the difference: one need not be drunk but only “under the influence to the degree to render one incapable of safe driving.”  This means that if you are stopped by police and police have “reasonable suspicion” to believe that you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police can then request a test of your breath or blood.  One need not be specifically drunk or high, but merely under the influence.  In other words, the threshold of “under the influence” occurs long before one commonly feels drunk or high.  This leads to the D.U.I. problem, and for every problem, you need a solution.


If you or someone you care about have experienced a D.U.I.arrest over this holiday, seek quality legal advice about your rights and options.  If you contact my law office (4123917999), I will provide a free½ hour consultation about your situation.  The decisions you make during your D.U.I. prosecution can affect you for years to come.  Do not attempt to navigate these dangerous waters on your own, or with a lawyer who is not an expert in this specific area of the law.  Let me be the solution to your D.U.I. problem.

Attorney Joseph Paletta
412.391.7999

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Preparing for 4th of July Celebrations & DUI Checkpoints

If you're planning on celebrating this 4th of July weekend, be prepared to run into a few DUI Checkpoints...
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Law enforcement officials are trying to get the word out. They want to keep you – and other drivers safe this Fourth of July weekend.
Last year, there were 1,109 DUI-related crashes in Allegheny County; 19 were fatal. Experts say that statistically, there is an increase in crashes in the days around the Fourth of July.
To draw attention to the problem, a local group of Young Marines set up flags in South Park – one for every person affected by those DUI-related accidents.
Local police departments are already stepping up patrols ahead of the holiday to help keep people in the Pittsburgh area safe. They are setting up both stationary and roving DUI checkpoints.
“The whole point of that is not necessarily to come up with a high number of arrests,” said Cathy Tress of the Pennsylvania DUI Association. “We want to warn people in advance to make the right decision. Don’t get behind the wheel impaired so that you don’t get arrested.”
If you do get caught, you could lose your license. You may also be fined between $300 and $1,000. You could also endanger someone else’s life, or your own.
“That’s not worth it, not for your life, or risking the other people that are sharing the road with you, with their families, to celebrate this country,” Tress said.
“As much as we appreciate what our armed forces have done for us, and the government that we enjoy and the freedoms that we enjoy, please be responsible when you get out there behind the wheel of a car,” Allegheny County District Attorney Steve Zappala said. “It’s not just your family that we’re protecting, it’s someone else’s family, too.”
Source: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/06/26/officials-urge-safe-driving-over-holiday-weekend/