Archive for March, 2010

Braden River Coach Prepares for DUI Manslaughter Trial

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

A former Braden River HS football coach is facing DUI manslaughter charges and will be tried beginning 4-19-10. The defendant appeared in a Sarasota courtroom Monday for a hearing.

The case against him is tough. It includes BAC levels of nearly 3 times Florida’s legal limit, police reports indicating there was empty and full Michelob beer bottles and cans in the Ex-coach’s Ford pickup truck and a testimony from Venice High School football coach John Peacock that the suspect was drinking at a party before the deadly wreck that killed his passenger. An FHP report also states that the suspect smelled of alcohol and had watery, bloodshot eyes at the scene.

The good news for the defendant is that the manslaughter charges requires not only proof that he was driving under the influence, but that he contributed to the crash in some way. Both unharmed passengers in the Ford truck claim the defendant swerved to avoid hitting a deer.

I can easily see this man avoiding a DUI manslaughter charge because I see no way of proving he contributed to the crash. However, the passengers credibility could be skewed. Updates as they are available.

Have you been accused of DUI in Sarasota? If so please fill out the form to the right or call 941-916-3627 for your free consultation. Our FL DUI attorneys can handle your case whether you were arrested in Venice, Sarasota, North Port, Longboat Key or smaller municipality such as Braden River.

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Sarasota DUI: Have the Charge Expunged

Friday, March 26th, 2010

As you may know having a DUI on your Florida criminal record can have negative impacts on your way of life. Commonly a DUI charge effects job, or housing status, but that can be taken care of. If requirements are met a DUI charge or conviction can be removed or expunged from your criminal record.

Do you qualify: 941-916-3627

Do you qualify: 941-916-3627

Expunging of a Florida DUI or criminal charge is NOT always possible. You can be disqualified for being on probation or any other type of court mandated program for one. You can also be disqualified if you have had a charge expunged or sealed in the past or if you were convicted of an offense which cannot by law be expunged. Some charges (convictions) that are not eligible to be removed from your record include sexual abuse, aggravated assault, illegal use of explosives to name a few. However, these types of crimes can be expunged if there was a not guilty verdict.

See if you qualify to have your Sarasota, Florida DUI or criminal charge removed by calling us at 941-916-3627.

As a full service DUI and criminal defense law firm we can assist you with any charges in Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Longboat Key.

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DUI Lawyers Serving All of Sarasota County, FL

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

As a full service Florida criminal defense and DUI (drunk driving) law firm we serve all of Sarasota County, FL with DUI charges.

Whether you were arrested in Bee Ridge, Beverly Terrace, Desoto Lakes, Eastgate, Englewood, Fordville, Fruitville, Gulf Gate Estates, Hidden River, Honore, Kensington Park, Lake Sarasota, Laurel, Manasota, Manasota Beach, Nokomis, Nokomis Beach, North Port, North Sarasota, Old Myakka, Osprey, Pinecraft, Plantation, Point O’ Rocks, Ridge Wood Heights, Sarasota, Sarasota Heights, Sarasota Springs, Shiney Town, Siesta Key, South Gate Ridge, South Sarasota, South Trail, South Venice, Southgate, Sunnyland, Tarpon Point, Tatum, The Meadows, Utopia, Vamo, Venice, Venice Beach, Venice East, Venice Gardens, Venice Groves, Warm Mineral Springs, White Beach or Woodmere we can assist you with your DUI or drunk driving charge.

Whatever the case may be our DUI attorneys can help you! We can help you avoid license suspension after a DUI arrest, with a first time or subsequent arrest, if you refused or failed field sobriety tests or with other criminal charges.

Our team has over 100 years of combined experience. We will investigate the constitutionality of the stop, the procedures used in obtaining evidence, the constitutionality of any statements you gave, and the accuracy of any tests administered.

Contact us today for your free consultation by calling 941-916-3627.

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Sarasota DUI: Avoid Losing Your License

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

After being arrested for FL drunk driving a lot of people think they will automatically lose their right to drive. Not true.

Been arrested for DUI in Sarasota?

Free Consultation: 941-916-3627

The catch is scheduling and attending an administrative review hearing within 10 days of your DUI arrest. Failure to request a formal administrative review hearing will result in an automatic six month suspension of your Florida drivers license for failing a breathalyzer test, and a one year suspension of your Florida drivers license for refusing to submit to a test.

In addition, any evidence obtained at the administrative review hearing may be used against you at your criminal DUI trial. Likewise, favorable evidence can be used in your favor.

Being straight, our lawyers know how these hearings work and how to ensure you don’t lose your license (especially for essential driving) after being arrested for DUI.

To learn more contact our Sarasota DUI and License suspension lawyers at 941-916-3627.

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Women Fails Field Sobriety Tests (Video)

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Now that’s how you fail a sobriety test. If you have recently found yourself in a similar situation we can assist you. We have helped many people in Sarasota, Venice and across Florida avoid being convicted of FL drunk driving and may be able to do the same for you. However, you must contact us quickly as our early intervention can greatly effect the results we are able to achieve.

Sarasota Office
1990 Main Street, Suite 750
Sarasota, FL 34326
Phone: 941-916-3627 – Phones Answered 24/7
Free Consultation!

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Have You Been Accused of a 1st Time Sarasota DUI?

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Call 941-916-3627 for your free consultation.
Most 1st time DUI offenders never get arrested for drunk driving a second time, over 80% in fact. If you have recently joined the first time offender club I want to show you the penalties you could face upon being convicted.

  • Jail time. I know it seems harsh, but the law states you could serve up to 6 months in jail if your BAC was under .15 and 9 months if your BAC was over .15
  • Hefty fines. The .15 rule applies here again. If your BAC was under .15 you could be fined up to $1,000 and if it was over you could be fined up to $2,000.
  • Loss of your drivers license. You could lose your drivers license for up to 1 year. Sometimes you are eligible for a hardship license, but with more expensive insurance called SR-22.
  • Attendance of a DUI school. You will not be able to get your drivers license back until you finnish this school which you have to pay for.
  • Community service. There is a mandatory 50 hours of community service or additional fine of $10 for each hour of community service required.

All this for a first time conviction? That’s right and penalties can increase if you had a child in the car, you caused property damage or there was injury or death involved to name a few. It is a whole different story for subsequent offenses. However, a DUI conviction can be avoided if proper care is taken.

Very commonly DUI arrests or statements given by a DUI suspect turn out to be unconstitutional rendering a not guilty verdict. Never plead guilty to a first time DUI arrest. Instead, contact a DUI lawyer to investigate your arrest and go from there.

The Musca Law Firm represents those accused of drunk driving in Sarasota, FL. We offer a free consultation to anyone to go over their DUI charge. Call the number below to speak with a Sarasota, FL DUI lawyer now.

Sarasota County Office
1990 Main Street, Suite 750
Sarasota, FL 34326
Phone: 941-916-3627 – Phones Answered 24/7
Free Consultation!

I know choosing a lawyer can be difficult, but you can’t argue with this track record.

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Increased Penalties for Florida DUI with Child in the Car

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

A DUI in Sarasota with a child in the vehicle can cause very serious penalties including the one showed in the video:

Other then risking the life of the child a conviction can mean double the fines and jail time with a child in the car. It’s a whole different ball game if the child was killed in an alcohol related crash.

Whatever your situation is the Sarasota DUI defense attorneys at Musca Law can help you with your DUI legal issues. Call 941-916-3627 to schedule your free consultation.

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Perfect Sobriety Test Score Wasted by Florida DUI Suspect (Video)

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

What a waste for this guy! If he could pass those tests, of course he could drive safely right? I am not condoning drinking and driving, but from a purely legal standpoint don’t admit your guilt if you have been drinking and driving! This will only make things tougher on you and your DUI attorney.

The attorneys at Musca Law handle DUI cases in the Sarasota, Florida area and do it well. Call today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your DUI charge:

Sarasota County Office
1990 Main Street, Suite 750
Sarasota, FL 34326
Phone: 941-916-3627
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Directions to Our Sarasota County Office

Monday, March 8th, 2010

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Sarasota County finding our office is a breeze thanks to Google Maps. Just enter your starting location below for directions.


View Larger Map

If you have yet to schedule your free consultation please, for everyone’s sake, do so now. The earlier we are able to tackle your case the better results we are sometimes able to achieve. Contact us now:

Sarasota County Office
1990 Main Street, Suite 750
Sarasota, FL 34326
Phone: 941-916-3627

We have had much success with DUI cases in Florida.

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Update: Sarasota Teacher Back in Class After DUI Arrest

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The Venice middle school teacher who was arrested for DUI 2-28-10 for drunk driving is back in class.

New reports indicate that the arresting officer was approached by a citizen in order to learn of the teacher’s drunk behavior. The anonymous citizen told the deputy “he was all over the road and going to kill someone.”

The arresting deputy reportedly had this to say in his report:

  • He saw the suspect parked very close to the gas pumps at the BP station, eating what appeared to be a yellow wrapper.
  • The suspect told the deputy that he was very drunk and repeated that he was drunk for about every question he was asked (never a good idea)
  • The suspect was slurring his words, his eyes were bloodshot and he had trouble standing.  The deputy also noted that when he opened the door, he was overcome with a pungent odor of alcohol.

This was the suspects 4th DUI arrest.

Officials at the school board tell us he is back in the classroom teaching today.  They say if it is an offense where a teacher is off-duty and doesn’t affect their work, it doesn’t affect the teacher’s status.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Venice like the above suspect, or anywhere else in Sarasota we urge you to immediately schedule a free consultation with our team of drunk driving professionals. We will investigate the constitutionality of the stop, the procedures used in obtaining evidence, the constitutionality of any statements you gave, and the accuracy of any tests administered. Contact the Sarasota DUI attorneys at Musca Law now:

Sarasota County Office
1990 Main Street, Suite 750
Sarasota, FL 34326
Phone: 941-916-3627

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