DUI Checkpoints scheduled in Pittsburgh -
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2015/06/17/DUI-checkpoints-scheduled-in-Pittsburgh-region/stories/201506170208
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
DUI Checkpoints scheduled for the weekend
According to news sources DUI checkpoints are scheduled for this weekend.
The West Hills DUI Task Force along with the Pennsylvania State Police will be conducting checkpoints and targeting impaired drivers.
Although exact locations are unknown at this point, The West Hills DUI Task Force consists of Officers from Bellevue, Crescent Township, Leetsdale, Moon Township, Ohio Township, Robinson Township and Sewickley police departments.
http://www.wtae.com/news/dui-checkpoint-and-roving-patrols-in-west-hills/13516970
#DUI
#DUICheckpoint
#PittsburghDUIAttorney
Posted by Aimee, Paralegal to Attorney Paletta
Friday, May 22, 2015
Tips from PA DUI Association
Pennsylvania DUI Association:
Tips on how to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol.
http://www.google.com/newsstand/s/CAIiSENBRVNNSFJoWnpwbmIyOW5iR1V1WTI5dExESXdNRFU2Y21WaFpHVnlMMmwwWlcwdk1tRTFOalZrT1RjNE0yWmlaR1V5WmlnQSpYCAQiENQdjNmPALIE6YAJmOz4Qn4qQggAIhDUHYzZjwCyBOmACZjs-EJ-KiwICiImQ0FFU0ZtaDBkSEE2THk5d1lXUjFhUzV2Y21jdlptVmxaQzhvQUFQAVAB
#DUI
#DUILawyer
Thursday, May 21, 2015
State Police holding checkpoints
Statewide checkpoints over Memorial Day Weekend...
State Police holding checkpoints | Milford PA | Local News:
#DUI
#MemorialDayWeekend
DUI checkpoints are legal, but are they worth the effort and intrusion? (poll) | lehighvalleylive.com
A recent poll was taken on the topic of DUI Checkpoints...read more about the poll & the results by clicking the link below
DUI checkpoints are legal, but are they worth the effort and intrusion? (poll) | lehighvalleylive.com:
'via Blog this'
DUI checkpoints are legal, but are they worth the effort and intrusion? (poll) | lehighvalleylive.com:
'via Blog this'
Sunday, March 15, 2015
ST. PATRICK’S DAY SURPRISE: A D.U.I. ARREST IN PITTSBURGH
If you decided to drive after a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and that
resulted in an arrest for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, you
may feel alone, scared and unsure of what to do next. I know because I
talk to good people every day who feel the same anxiety as a result of a
D.U.I. arrest. When you have a medical emergency you call a doctor;
when you have a legal emergency like a D.U.I. arrest, call a lawyer.
This is Attorney Joseph Paletta, and I specialize in D.U.I. defense. If you would like to have a free ½ hour consultation with me, please call my office 412.391.7999 to make an appointment, or e-mail me at either joseph@lawyerpaletta.com or aimee@lawyerpaletta.com. I can review your paperwork, hear your side of the story, and advise you of what to expect out of a D.U.I. prosecution. Allow me to be the Solution to your D.U.I. problem.
This is Attorney Joseph Paletta, and I specialize in D.U.I. defense. If you would like to have a free ½ hour consultation with me, please call my office 412.391.7999 to make an appointment, or e-mail me at either joseph@lawyerpaletta.com or aimee@lawyerpaletta.com. I can review your paperwork, hear your side of the story, and advise you of what to expect out of a D.U.I. prosecution. Allow me to be the Solution to your D.U.I. problem.
Friday, February 6, 2015
FIRST TIME D.U.I., the IMPLIED CONSENT LAW, and LICENSE SUSPENSION
A substantial part of my law
practice involves Driving Under the Influence (DUI) defense. Also, my clientele
can be described as well educated, employed professionals who have no prior
experience or involvement with the criminal justice system until their
unfortunate decision to drive after drinking ends up in a DUI arrest and
prosecution.
Recently, one of my well
educated, professional and employed clients was stopped by police who suspected
him of driving under the influence of alcohol.When police asked my client to
submit to a chemical test of breath or blood, he did not consent to that test
because he didn’t know what to do, and for this particular decision, one is not
entitled to speak to a lawyer first. Failure to take the chemical test is known
as a “Refusal.” Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 1547, a
refusal results in a serious penalty of which you may not be aware: a driver’s
license suspension for one (1) year regardless of whether the DUI
prosecution is dismissed! Therefore, since my client was unaware of the
consequences of a refusal, he is now serving a one year license suspension even
though his DUI prosecution will likely be dismissed.
Pennsylvania law states that
if a police officer has “Reasonable Grounds” to believe that a person may be
DUI, that person can be asked to submit to a chemical test of breath or blood.
75 Pa.C.S.A. Section 1547. This law exists because the issuance of a
Pennsylvania driver’s license is a privilege not a right, and in exchange for
this privilege, one “impliedly consents” to submit to chemical testing if,
again, reasonable grounds exist. In addition, it is the choice of the police
officer as to which chemical test (breath or blood) is administered.
If you have any questions
about your rights in a DUI prosecution, contact me at 4123917999 to get these
questions answered. Your criminal record and driver’s license are too important
to be left to anyone but a specialist in the field.
Joseph Alexander Paletta, Esq.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
PA DUI Laws - from PennDOT online
If you have been accused of a crime such as driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substance, the link below provides an overview of the laws in Pennsylvania.
Many people who have been accused of/charged with a DUI, do not understand the urgency of consulting with an Attorney. Whether it's a first offense, second offense or third offense, one could face serious consequences as a result, so always contact an experienced DUI Attorney to discuss your situation.
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/legislation/dui.shtml
Aimee
Paralegal to Attorney Paletta
Aimee@lawyerpaletta.com
412.391.7999
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Weekend DUI checkpoint scheduled in North Hills | Pennsylvania news
Weekend DUI checkpoint scheduled in North Hills | Pennsylvania news:
'via Blog this'
The North Hills DUI Task force will be conducting numerous checkpoints over the weekend.
'via Blog this'
The North Hills DUI Task force will be conducting numerous checkpoints over the weekend.
DUI Checkpoint Alert Details - Irwin, PA - Fri Nov 14, 2014 - ID: 1219863
DUI Checkpoint Alert Details - Irwin, PA - Fri Nov 14, 2014 - ID: 1219863: "Police held a DUI Checkpoint
Fri Nov 14, 2014
in Irwin, PA
in the area of Us-30
Fri Nov 14, 2014
in Irwin, PA
in the area of Us-30
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
Source: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/06/26/officials-urge-safe-driving-over-holiday-weekend/
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
2013 DUI Statistics by State
http://www.statisticbrain.com/number-of-dui-arrests-per-state/
Check out this site to find out the number of DUI arrests reported by some states in 2013.
Check out this site to find out the number of DUI arrests reported by some states in 2013.
Friday, March 28, 2014
DUI Checkpoints
Hi everyone, I thought I’d share this site with you all just in case anyone is ever out for a night on the town & needs to know if there are any scheduled DUI Checkpoints...
The site below periodically posts scheduled DUI Checkpoints… I ‘m not sure how often they update their information, but I do use it on occasion to discover information about DUI checkpoints, from our client’s cases…
Hopefully some of you find this useful!
If you have questions about a DUI Checkpoint, or have been charged with a crime as a result of a Checkpoint, please contact us immediately so we can discuss your case!!
Aimee
412.391.7999
Sunday, March 16, 2014
St. Patrick's Day D.U.I. charges
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!
Increased law enforcement and patrol units for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations may mean more D.U.I. arrests for the Pittsburgh area.
If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, contact Attorney Paletta immediately!
Remember to mention finding us through this blog!!
412.391.7999
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
MESSAGE FROM ATTORNEY JOSEPH PALETTA
The Thanksgiving holiday and Steeler game are two great
reasons for celebrating. It is under these circumstances that good people
can make bad decisions with respect to alcohol and driving.
Although many people refer to the Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol law as
“Drunk Driving,” this is not technically accurate. One need not be
“drunk” to be arrested and prosecuted for D.U.I.; one need merely be “under the
influence.” The difference between being “drunk” and “under the
influence” is significant, and will cause many well-intentioned and good people
to drive when they feel as though they are capable. This mistaken feeling
can get one arrested. If you have suffered the unfortunate fate of being
stopped by police and tested for D.U.I., be polite and cooperative with police
during the entire testing process. The police are in control and will
administer the testing which is appropriate. However, do not make any
verbal admissions to wrongdoing, and upon your release by police, contact a
lawyer who specializes in D.U.I. defense. This is the smart way to handle
this serious situation. I will be available to assist during the holiday
and weekend at 412.391.7999. Have a blessed holiday and weekend.
Joseph A. Paletta, Esq.
Statewide Halloween DUI Checkpoints lead to many DUI arrests.
The Waynesboro Record Harold reported in the article below that statewide DUI task force units would set up many checkpoints during Halloween.
Many Pennsylvania drivers were charged with DUI related crimes after police conducted these statewide DUI Checkpoints targeting those who were celebrating Halloween. If you are one of the many charged as a result of a DUI checkpoint, contact this office immediately to discuss your case.
412.391.7999
Joseph A. Paletta, Esq.
__________________________________________________________
Posted Oct. 28, 2013 @ 12:00 pm
Halloween is a holiday adults can celebrate as much as kids, but they need to remember impairment begins with the first drink, according to Officer Matthew Schmidt of the Washington Township Police Department and the Franklin County DUI task force, which will set up holiday checkpoints. “Buzzed driving is drunk driving, and police will be on the lookout for impaired drivers,” he said. “Last year, nearly 12,000 crashes in Pennsylvania involved alcohol, and more than 400 people were killed in those crashes. Designate a sober driver before you head out this Halloween.”
DUI 'tiers' - Your level of intoxication affects how you'll be punished: The Judicial Notice
Repost from:
on October 15, 2013 at 1:20 PM, updated October 15, 2013 at 2:21 PM
Driving under the influence is one of the most oft-committed crimes in this area. In 2012, Cumberland County had 1,712 DUI cases filed, and there have been 1,315 filed so far for 2013. DUI is such a major component of the criminal justice system that Cumberland County’s “Central Court” is dedicated solely to this offense.
On Sept. 30, 2003, Pennsylvania’s legal limit for DUI was reduced from .10 to .08 blood alcohol content (or BAC). Along with that change came the use of “tiers” for DUI. The tier that a person is charged with can affect his or her sentencing, loss of license and eligibility for an Alternative Rehabilitation Disposition program.
Under the current law, a person cannot drive, operate, or be in "actual physical control" of a motor vehicle after drinking enough alcohol that he or she is incapable of safely operating the vehicle. This is the "general impairment" section of the law. In this same tier is a person who has a BAC of .08 to less than .10 percent within two hours of operating a vehicle.
A person convicted in this tier is subject to six months probation, a $300 fine and attendance at alcohol safety school. If a person has a prior DUI, this tier will result in a mandatory minimum five days in jail and a 12-month license suspension, in addition to other penalties. If the person has two or more prior DUIs, the jail time increases to a mandatory minimum of 10 days.
The second tier, "high rate of alcohol," is for those people who have a BAC of .10 to .159 percent within two hours of operating a vehicle. This tier also includes under-21 drivers caught operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .02 percent or greater and those charged with DUI where there was an accident resulting in bodily injury, death or property damage.
Finally, this tier includes a person operating a commercial vehicle (with a .04 percent or higher BAC); a school bus or school vehicle (with a .02 percent or greater BAC); or a commercial or school vehicle where the person has enough alcohol to be incapable of safe driving or is under the influence of a controlled substance…..
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Commonwealth v. M.N. (DUI)
Commonwealth v. M.N. (D.U.I. Charges)
Pittsburgh Police Officers were dispatched to the Rivers Casino for a male driving a wrecked vehicle in the Casino Parking Garage. Upon their arrival, Officers were greeted by Rivers Security Supervisor who explained that Valet Parking employees contacted the Security Department to inform them that a male drove a vehicle with heavy damage and no front drivers side tire into the parking garage. After speaking with Security, Officers enter the garage to speak with the male driver. Officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol and asked Client to submit to Field Sobriety Tests. Client refused to do anything until speaking with an attorney. Officers arrested Client for suspected D.U.I. Client was then transported to the Police Station and refused to submit a breath sample. Client was then transported to Allegheny County Jail
Client was charged with:
75§3802§§A1 - Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
75§3736§§A - Reckless Driving
Following the Preliminary Hearing at Pittsburgh Municipal Court, Attorney Paletta requested that the District Attorney's Office consider Client for admission into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.) Program.
At the Formal Arraignment, Client was offered admission into the A.R.D. Program. Client accepted the terms and conditions of A.R.D., which were as follows: 12 months non-reporting probation, Drug & Alcohol evaluation, Safe Driving Classes, and a 60 day license suspension. Client, an individual who resides outside the state of Pennsylvania, was permitted to complete the requirements within his home state. With successful completion of all terms and conditions of the program, all charges Client was charged with are to be expunged. There is no conviction or Guilty Plea to any charges, including the D.U.I.
Commonwealth v. J.W. (DUI)
Commonwealth v. J.W. (D.U.I. Charges)
Client was pulled over by Coraopolis Police after traveling the wrong direction on Fourth Avenue. According to the Criminal Complaint, Officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol while speaking with Client. Officers administered Field Sobriety Tests and Client was transported to Sewickley Valley Hospital for blood tests.
Client was charged with:
75§3802§§A1 - Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
75§3308§§B - One way roadways and Rotary Traffic Islands
Following the Preliminary Hearing before District Judge Mary P. Murray, Attorney Paletta requested that the District Attorney's Office consider Client for admission into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.) Program.
At the Formal Arraignment, Client was offered admission into the A.R.D. Program. Client accepted the terms and conditions of A.R.D., which were as follows: 12 months non-reporting probation, Drug & Alcohol evaluation, Safe Driving Classes, and a 60 day license suspension. With successful completion of all terms and conditions of the program, all charges Client was charged with are to be expunged. There is no conviction or Guilty Plea to any charges, including the D.U.I.
Criminal Defense Attorney for College Students
Criminal Defense Attorney for College Students
I am a Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney who represents college students charged with crimes such as DUI, Public Intox., and Possession.
Having worked with many college students and professionals such as Doctors and Nurses who have been charged with crimes which could jeopardize their college education and professional career, I understand how important it is for my clients to receive the best possible outcome available and one that will not damage their record. For this reason, I work closely with my clients to develop a strategy that will assist in receiving an outcome most favorable to them.
If you are a college student or recent graduate who is just starting your professional career and you have been charged with a crime, don't take the chance of harming your future by proceeding without an Attorney or at least consulting with one first. Your future is too important; contact me to discuss your situation.
Accuracy of Breathalyzers used in DUI cases an issue for the Supreme Court?
Yet again, we find the topic of "whether Breathalyzers are accurate enough to be used as evidence in DUI cases" in the news. The Superior Court recently overturned a Dauphin County judge's ruling that could have put a huge damper on using breathalyzers in DUI cases. Although the Dauphin County judge's decision only affected Dauphin County cases, it was reported that approximately 20 court cases were dismissed following the ruling.
According to news sources, although the Superior Court has issued this recent ruling to reverse the County judge's decision to allow breath testing in DUI cases, the Defense Attorney won't stop there. It looks like this is an issue to be taken to the Supreme Court.
If you have questions or concerns about the facts of your DUI case and would like discuss this in further, E-Mail or call us now to get started.
According to news sources, although the Superior Court has issued this recent ruling to reverse the County judge's decision to allow breath testing in DUI cases, the Defense Attorney won't stop there. It looks like this is an issue to be taken to the Supreme Court.
If you have questions or concerns about the facts of your DUI case and would like discuss this in further, E-Mail or call us now to get started.
Tel: 412.391.7999
Source for Blog & Original Article:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/09/pa_court_overturns_dauphin_cou.html
Pa. court voids Dauphin County's judge ruling involving breathalyzer accuracy in DUI cases
Rulings by two Dauphin County judges are sharply curbing the use of breathalyzer evidence in county drunken driving cases.
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on September 05, 2013 at 5:50 PM
The state Superior Court on Thursday overturned a Dauphin County judge's decision in a drunken driving case that legal observers said could have curtailed the use of breathalyzers in such prosecutions....
Full Article Available at:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/09/pa_court_overturns_dauphin_cou.html
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