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    Gilbert AZ DUI attorney

    How’s my driving? Ask my car!

    How’s my driving? How’s my driving? Ask my car! Thanks to the ever-amazing world of technology available to us now, keeping tabs on a driver’s behavior behind the wheel is taking on a whole new significance.

    As of this writing, two major vehicle insurance providers are utilizing data from auto industry telematics – that is, portable devices that can monitor driving habits. These devices plug into a car and provide information that can be collected remotely, about the vehicle (and driver’s) performance on the road.

    These devices are, right now, completely voluntary, but drivers who elect to use them can earn discounts on their vehicle insurance. In addition to these plug-in devices, cell phone apps are also in use that can provide the same kind of information to insurers. So good drivers get discounts. No news there.

    But let’s look at it from a different angle. Can these devices detect DUI or impaired driving? An ignition interlock device can. Right now,  telematic devices can detect things such as speeding. And if they don’t already, perhaps someday they will be like flight recorders-the “black boxes” on airplanes, and record information about accidents as well,  This information could be pertinent to DUI charges and convictions as well as to insurance companies, if they provide evidence of unsafe/impaired driving. Law enforcement already has many sophisticated tools at its disposal to help detect and prevent unsafe and impaired driving. These plug-in monitoring devices are some of the newest that could be added to the “arsenal,” so to speak.

    My final point: Technology can now both help detect – and hopefully, help to prevent – impaired driving. But ultimately, it is the driver’s decision whether to climb behind the wheel after becoming intoxicated on drugs or alcohol. After that single decision is made, the next series of decisions may be made by others, and may not go so well for that driver, if s/he is stopped and charged with DUI.

    As an experienced Arizona DUI attorney, I’m here to provide answers and legal guidance. If you, or someone you know, find you need help regarding a DUI situation, I encourage you to get in touch with Zachary Law Group. You may want to take advantage of our FREE 30-minute case evaluation. First thing we’ll do is look at your legal issue from every possible vantage point, and work toward the best possible solution. Bring your questions and concerns, and we’ll do our best to evaluate your situation and “Zach-It”! Simply give us a call at 1-855-Zach-law.

     

    Arizona DUI and the other kind of bars

    Arizona DUI and the other kind of barsStephen King set his “Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile” stories in prison environments. Elvis swiveled his hips in striped pants and sang in “Jailhouse Rock.” “Orange Is The New Black” is one of the hottest TV shows around. “OZ” paved the way for other iconic HBO series.  What is it about jails and prisons that inspires so much drama?

    I believe that jails, penitentiaries and prisons fascinate people who are “watching” from the outside. Why? Horror, compassion, curiosity, and relief that it’s somebody else, just to name a few. But whatever feelings this subject elicits, I am not here to make generalizations, point fingers, or render any kind of judgment, personal or legal. My intent is to inform, educate and maybe even promote discussion about the subject of DUI.

    DUI and jail. DUI and prison. They go together like law and order. My extensive experience as a DUI attorney necessarily includes knowledge of Arizona DUI sentences. Even a first conviction can require jail time. Aggravated DUI convictions carry prison terms. Repeat offenders receive harsher penalties. It only gets worse from there, so let’s hope you never find out firsthand.

    And while you may enjoy reading about prisons, or have a favorite jail-centered TV show or movie, let’s agree on one point: it isn’t glamorous. It isn’t romantic. It isn’t fun. And the rest of the adjectives I would use in describing the experience of incarceration are all negative ones.

    Is being locked up once enough to put off an offender from committing another DUI? Again, I would say, let’s hope so. Unfortunately, the fact that the penalties get tougher for repeat offenders would seem to indicate that not everyone learns from experience.

    If you or someone you know is dealing with a DUI-related issue, please do not hesitate to give us a call at Zachary Law Group. Speak to an experienced attorney, FREE 30-minute case evaluation. We are here to help you, whether it’s to answer questions, establish your legal rights, and represent you in court. We have the knowledge and the experience to take on your legal problem and “Zach-It”! Do the smart thing and contact us soon, at 1-855-Zach-law.

    DUI and drunk dialing

    DUI and drunk dialingSome people, when they drink too much alcohol, can be seized by the impulse to communicate, by phone or cell phone, with people in their lives. Unfortunately, these communications can be as “impaired” as the person relaying them. Too much information? Too much emotion? Too many expletives? Let’s say that the “morning after” drunk dialing can include a large serving of regret.

    Now, how do you make an episode of drunk dialing or texting even worse? Do it while you are driving: that is, while driving impaired by alcohol. Driving while distracted can cause accidents. Driving while impaired is already dangerous in itself; add another element to distract the driver, and the results could be deadly.

    Change is the only constant. Languages and laws both change, and evolve, right along with the rest of the elements of daily living. At present, the state of Arizona does not have statutes that ban hand-held cell phone use while driving, or any laws in force that forbid texting while driving.  (Arizona school bus drivers are an exception; they may not use any type of cell phone while driving.)  Some states ban all cell phone use while driving; some concentrate only on younger or inexperienced “novice” drivers. It’s possible, maybe even likely, that these laws will change down the road.

    Arizona laws do forbid driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, and people continue to need legal help in DUI-related situations. So please bring us your questions, concerns, and problems. At Zachary Law Group we provide a FREE 30-minute case evaluation. We’ll talk about your legal rights, find a solution that’s best for you, and help resolve every issue. That’s how we “Zach-It”! So don’t wait for problems to escalate. Call us soon at 1-855-Zach-law.

    Arizona group helps prevent holiday DUIs

    Arizona group helps prevent holiday DUIsGenerally this blog discusses DUI from a legal point of view, focusing on the subjects of legal responsibility and accountability for those who drive while impaired, as well as the actions of those who enforce the DUI laws and work to prevent repeat offenses.

    That’s why I believe this topic is a breath of fresh air, so to speak.  It’s about the actions of a particular Arizona group, and how their actions work to prevent DUI-related accidents.  And this good work is not done with a profit motive, but with public safety in mind.

    Since 2009, AAA Arizona has sponsored their Tipsy Tow Service during holiday periods.  The service offers a free one-way ride and tow, for a driver, one passenger, and a vehicle, to the driver’s home within a 10-mile distance.  I consider this a brilliant preventive measure that elps keep impaired drivers (and passengers) off the roads.  And that helps avoid accidents, injury, and property damage.  The AAA Arizona website also mentions that calls for Tipsy Tow Service can come from bartenders, party givers, restaurant managers, or anyone needing help for themselves and others.  And the service is available to everyone, even without AAA membership.

    As recently as Memorial Day Weekend here, the Tipsy Tow-ers were hard at work, and July 4th is not far off.  Of course, holiday weekends bring additional DUI checkpoints and extra officers on the watch for impaired drivers.  And all over Arizona, the Tipsy Tow Service will be standing by as well, at 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357).  Their mission and dedication is something to be respected and admired!

    The experienced attorneys at Zachary Law Group are here to provide answers to your questions, concerns and legal issues regarding DUI-related situations.  We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation, to get a good start on evaluating your options and establishing your legal rights.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you or someone you know needs help.  We will do all we can to find the best possible solution to your problem, and “Zach-It”! Give us a call soon, at 1-855-Zach-law.

    Bartenders and DUI

    Bartenders and DUIThis blog has covered many DUI related topics, including laws, penalties for DUI offenses, and much more, from both the driver’s and law enforcement’s perspective.  Now we are going to take a look at another side of the subject, namely the role of the alcohol server–that is, bartenders– and their roles and responsibilities before a DUI event even occurs.

    Chances are, readers are aware of laws and news stories regarding accountability of alcohol providers, such as parents whose underage children consume alcohol at home parties, or hosts whose adult guests are overserved.  These people carry more responsibility under current laws than in the past.  If not to observe the law, then the hope would be that people generally would use common sense.  But what if it’s your job, your business, to dispense alcohol?

    In the state of Arizona, prospective bartenders must be certified by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.  These candidates must undergo training, in classrooms or online, in several aspects of the serving business, including alcohol safety.  This is known as Alcohol Serving Training, sometimes called TIPS Training.

    What kinds of subjects are included in this safety program?  Some are things that law enforcement officers also learn:  the effects of alcohol on a person and recognizing the signs of impairment.  Bartenders, since they are dispensing alcohol, must also know their legal responsibilities regarding public safety–such as estimating the blood alcohol level of a patron–in order to help prevent overserving and impaired driving.

    When bad things happen, such as a DUI, some people look around for someone to blame.  That’s why the laws continue to evolve and focus on awareness, responsibility, and accountability.  If you have questions or legal issues regarding DUI situations, you can become better informed by speaking to an attorney at Zachary Law Group.  We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation, to help provide answers to your questions.  We are here to help if you need representation, and our clients know we have a unique team approach:  we take on a problem and “Zach-It”!  It’s better to look for help than to look for blame, so give us a call any time at 1-855-Zach-law.

    New NFL policy hits harder on DUI

    New NFL policy hits harder on DUISome people believe that current DUI laws and penalties are too hard.  For others, the laws are not tough enough.  Well, now the National Football League — an organization that oversees some of America’s “toughest” — is tightening up its penalties for those who incur a DUI:.

    In accordance with imposing more stringent policies on substance abuse – including steroids such as human growth hormone (HGH)  — by players, the NFL is proposing an automatic suspension plus a monetary fine equal to one game’s paycheck, for a first-time DUI conviction.  Though the new rule is not yet in place, it represents a change from the current NFL rule on DUI, which is a fine of two game paychecks for first offenders and suspension for a second offense.  The NFLPA is also involved in negotiations regarding these revised rules for players.

    My readers may wonder why the activities of the NFL would find a place in this particular blog.  Well, I can think of many reasons.  One, to show that both alcohol and drug-related DUIs have become a serious enough problem to warrant more, and stricter penalties.  Two, to demonstrate that even celebrities are not exempt from accountability for their actions.  And perhaps most importantly, to show that in the near future, the professional football players we watch and admire will be held to standards that are even stricter than “regular” drivers.  Why do I say that?  Because with the new policy, not only would a player convicted of a DUI be subject to penalties under the law, but he would also be subject to penalties from his employer, so to speak.  Players’ livelihoods will be directly affected, more so than under previous rules.

    So whether you have a famous face, a record for yards rushed, or just a high school championship trophy, the Arizona law enforcement officer that stops you on suspicion of DUI won’t be impressed enough to let you drive away.  The laws apply to everyone, and for some offenders, additional penalties await.

    If you or someone you know has questions about how Arizona DUI laws may apply to you, please contact an experienced DUI attorney at Zachary Law Group.  We offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation, to get a good start on finding solutions to your legal issues.  Whatever your concerns, we will do our best to identify your rights, find the best possible legal solution, and “Zach-It”!  Remember, DUI penalties are far more serious than five yards and a yellow flag.  So give us a call soon, at 1-855-Zach-law.

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