“We want to take advantage of this time when students are arriving and get the message out there that drunk driving will not be tolerated. Getting behind the wheel while impaired can be a deadly decision”, said FSU Police Chief David Perry.

FSUPD has recorded 135 DUI arrests so far in 2010 by its officers due to continued focus on enforcement of impaired driving. DUI arrests on or about our campus have nearly doubled already compared to 2009.

“FSU students, faculty, and staff are united in their position regarding impaired driving”, said FSU Police Major Jim Russell. “It is just not acceptable. Impaired drivers risk everyone’s well being”.

The Florida State University Police Department is an award-winning, accredited, full-service law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction on property owned or controlled by The Florida State University.

If you have already been arrested for DUI in Sarasota or elsewhere in Florida you need legal representation. To learn all about your charge and options contact a Sarasota DUI lawyer at our firm now.

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At Musca Law, we help all types of drivers in a variety of DUI cases, including underage drinking, multiple DUI offenses, commercial DUI, DUI with injury, felony DUI, DUI appeals and more. Our defense lawyers take on cases throughout the entire State of Florida.

If you have been accused of driving under the influence or a related criminal offense in Sarasota or elsewhere in Florida we can help you. Call the number below to schedule your free consultation with a Sarasota DUI lawyer at Musca Law now.

Sarasota County Office
1990 Main Street, Suite 750
Sarasota, FL 34326
Phone: 941-916-3627 – Phones Answered 24/7/365
Free Consultation either in person or by phone.

The former Braden River coach spent a month in jail after his conviction, but Circuit Judge Donna Berlin allowed The former coach to post an appeal bond of $50,000, which allows the coach to remain free while the 2nd District Court of Appeal reviews his case.

Berlin, who presided over the trial and sentencing of the former coach in June, ruled that there was a “good faith” appeal issue that goes to the heart of whether the former coach should have been convicted of DUI manslaughter, his attorney Brett McIntosh said.

The former coach was also eligible for the appeal bond because he had no previous felony conviction, McIntosh said. Conditions of his release prevent the former coach from drinking alcohol, he said.

The contentious trial was mired in legal issues that waded into the deep end of court rules about who could testify and what they could tell the jury.

His attorneys claim some testimony that placed him behind the wheel — an important element of the crime — should not have been allowed.

He has filed the appeal, which often takes more than a year, and sometimes up to two years, to get a decision.

According to trial testimony, the former coach, 32, had been drinking for more than eight hours and consumed more than 14 drinks at a party with other coaches in Venice that day.

While driving home, with three others in his truck, the former coach veered off State Road 681, crossing two lanes of traffic twice and overturning his Ford F-150. His blood-alcohol level was 0.21 percent, nearly three times the level at which Florida considers drivers to be impaired.

Have you been charged with DUI in Sarasota? If so, the story above should only show you that when charged with a crime, you do still have rights. Also that you are not automatically guilty and you could fight your charge at trial. To learn about your options contact a Sarasota DUI attorney at our firm for a free and confidential consultation today.

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Because this man fled the scene of a fatal accident he could be sentenced to 30 years in prison for each DUI manslaughter charge. This just goes to show you that if you are in a drunk driving related crash OR are already suspected of drunk driving, evading police is seldom if ever the right thing to do. Instead it’s better to cooperate with police and contact a DUI attorney ASAP if they decide to charge you with a criminal offense.

Free Consultation: 941-916-3627

If you are serious about fighting your Florida drunk driving charge call us anytime (phones answered 24/7) at 941-916-3627 to get the process started. If anyone can succeed with your case, we can.

Whether you failed a chemical test, failed field sobriety tests, admitted to being drunk to police, had an open alcohol container in your vehicle at the time of your arrest there is still likely a defense that can be applied to your case in pursuit of avoiding a DUI conviction.

He is one of two seniors along with Ben Peacock who has been on the Braden River varsity football team the past four years.

It hasn’t been an easy ride, and their ability to handle adversity has been tested. It would be hard to find many football programs in America that have gone through what transpired there the past couple years.

Wilson lost one of his assistant coaches, who was killed in a tragic car accident. After a much publicized trial, his former head coach was convicted of DUI manslaughter in the accident and is now incarcerated.

He also lost his new coach, who took over in 2009 and then left shortly after the season for another school.

Wilson and his teammates are now preparing to play under Don Purvis, their third head coach in three years. If they feel abandonment and mistrust, it should not surprise anyone.

Purvis has seen some of the emotional scars and has taken on the dual role of healer and coach. He wants to win, but seeing his players mend is equally important.

Wilson is his perfect role model and the coach believes he can help, which is why he holds Wilson in such high regard.

If any player had a right to come into his final season with a chip on his shoulder, it would be Wilson because he was so close to the catastrophe that overwhelmed this team. But he is not that way.

He has listened to Purvis, got a chance to evaluate what he says and likes what he hears. To Wilson, the coach brings a breath of fresh air and has given the players a reason to smile.

“Coach Purvis is fun to be around. He is always upbeat, makes everyone happy and helps them feel good about themselves,” Wilson said. “He said he was here for us, and we believe him. He gave up a stable job (in Memphis) to come, and I don’t think he would’ve done that if he wasn’t going to stay.”

This is a mutual admiration relationship. What happened at Braden River defies the norm, and Purvis is grateful to have Wilson on his roster.

“He is a special player and a special person, especially for a new coach to come into a new situation like this,” Purvis said. “It means a lot to have a guy like Dakota, who is the first person at practice and the last one to leave. He is our hardest worker, excels in the classroom and is the ultimate team player.

“I know it sounds like a bunch of cliché things to say, but it’s absolutely true. He is a leader.”

Wilson holds no anger toward former head coach Ed Volz, who left after one year to take the same job at Sarasota High. He also hasn’t stopped believing in his first head coach.

“What happened with the former coach was hard. I loved the guy. He was like a father to me,” Wilson said. “I would love to talk with him. I would tell him to stay strong and never lose hope. He affected my life in a positive way, and I would like to do that for him.

“We all know that drinking and driving is horrible, and it shows something like that can happen to anyone. It doesn’t have to happen to a bad person. It was disappointing what Coach Volz did, leaving after one year. We definitely want to beat Sarasota.”

Wilson can be expected to play a big role in whomever Braden River defeats this season. He will continue to be a big force on the offensive line, probably at guard, but will also play linebacker.

Wilson doesn’t care where he plays. However, he admits it’s nice to get a chance to hit people as a defensive player. He started his career as a linebacker and switched to the offensive line as a sophomore.

Purvis expects him to be a factor on both sides of the ball and believes he is in good enough shape and intelligent enough to be out on the field nearly all the time.

“Dakota can play on both sides of the ball and has tons of experience on the game field, so he won’t be intimidated,” Purvis said. “He has been working very hard in the weight room and will help us plug some holes at linebacker because he is such a smart, physical player.”

Have you been accused of driving under the influence in Sarasota, Venice or elsewhere in the county? If so, we welcome you to contact a Sarasota DUI lawyer at our firm for a free consultation.

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Many people may not know this, but a first and second DUI conviction (assuming there was not serious bodily injury or death involved) are misdemeanors. However, there are circumstances when a DUI becomes a felony such as:

* A third conviction within 10 years of each other is a third degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 fine:

Any person who is convicted of a third violation of this section for an offense that occurs within 10 years after a prior conviction for a violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.  In addition, the court shall order the mandatory placement for a period of not less than 2 years, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with s. 316.1938  upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license. The installation of such device may not occur before July 1, 2003.

* A 4th DUI conviction regardless of when any of them occurred is a felony. For example, a 4th DUI conviction within 18 years is a felony of the third degree punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine:

Any person who is convicted of a fourth or subsequent violation of this section, regardless of when any prior conviction for a violation of this section occurred, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.  However, the fine imposed for such fourth or subsequent violation may be not less than $2,000.

* A DUI involving serious bodily injury is a felony of the third degree punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine:

Serious bodily injury to another, as defined in s. 316.1933, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

* And finally a DUI becomes a felony when death is involved as well. A second degree felony for vehicular homicide or DUI manslaughter punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine and if the scene was fled either charge becomes a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and $10,000:

The death of any human being or unborn quick child commits DUI manslaughter, and commits:

a.  A felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

b.  A felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if:

(I)  At the time of the crash, the person knew, or should have known, that the crash occurred; and

(II)  The person failed to give information and render aid as required by s. 316.062.

For purposes of this subsection, the definition of the term “unborn quick child” shall be determined in accordance with the definition of viable fetus as set forth in s. 782.071. A person who is convicted of DUI manslaughter shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 4 years.

Whether or not you have been charged with a 1st or a 5th DUI in Florida you would be well advised to contact an attorney for a free consultation ASAP.

If you are facing DUI or other criminal charges in Sarasota, we can help you. Our Sarasota Criminal Defense Attorneys have over 100 years combined experience dealing with criminal case and we offer a free initial consultation to go over the specifics of your arrest. Even if you feel you can’t beat the charge we encourage you to give us a call, you may be surprised.

It may seem as if the evidence against you warrants a guilty plea to lessen the potential penalties, but you shouldn’t assume you are guilty. Whether you failed a chemical test, failed sobriety tests, admitted your guilt or did something else that seems to prove your guilt, it does nothing of the kind. There are many defenses that can be applied to your case which may lead to either the prosecution dropping the charge before you go to trial or a not guilty verdict via a 12 person jury. It’s not that beating a charge is easy or that every conviction is avoidable, but the odds are fighting your charge is the right decision.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Sarasota we can evaluate your case free of charge either in person or by phone. However, we recommend you contact us is a timely manor after being charged as our early involvement in your case can go a long way. Contact a Sarasota DUI lawyer at our firm today to schedule your free consultation:

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

If you are torn between which firm to hire we hope you view our past case results and factor them into your decision.

View the OLS test in the video below:

If you have recently failed the one leg stand test or other sobriety tests in Sarasota and consequently been charged with drunk driving we can help you. Contact a Sarasota DUI lawyer at our firm today.

Most people arrested for driving under the influence in North Port don’t realize the high probability of beating their DUI charge and accept the penalties that come along with pleading guilty. I urge you: DON’T BE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE! Whether you failed a sobriety test, registered a BAC of double the legal limit or admitted your guilt at the time of your arrest that does not mean you are guilty. By investigating the constitutionality of your arrest and analyzing the prosecutions case against you, avoiding a conviction is very much a possibility.

To learn how you might be able to beat your North Port DUI charge call the Sarasota County DUI attorneys at our firm for a free consultation. The sooner the better as our early involvement in your case can make a great impact on the outcome of your case. Call 941-916-3627 now to schedule your free consultation in person or by phone.