Posts Tagged ‘Law’

A Columbus Ohio DUI lawyer feels that ultimately, field sobriety tests are a bad idea, much like driving after you?ve had a few drinks. Driving under the influence happens to many people, regardless of their intentions. Also consider this, one of the worst things you can do is to submit to a field sobriety test, which designed to be a series of maneuvers that you should able to execute easily when sober.

For one, these tests are seldom completely accurate and are subject to the discretion of the police officer on the scene. In fact, few people can pass the test completely sober, let alone if they?re had a drink or two. Also, external circumstances can affect your performance on this test, as can medical conditions such as medications or ear infections. Of course, if you tend to get nervous when pulled over, that, too, can affect a field test.

Second, the officer on the scene is the person deciding whether or not you are legally intoxicated, which means that you are trusting someone you don?t know with, basically, your future. It is not unheard of for officers to make false or inaccurate statements on the report or at the station. This is not to say that law enforcement officers are out to get you, however, they are very busy and mistakes can and do happen. Also, failing a field sobriety test almost guarantees an arrest for DUI / OVI.

What causes one person to be stopped for possible intoxicated driving, versus another? Aside from designated checkpoints, here are some of the reasons why you might be stopped for suspected DUI / OVI:

* You have been involved in an accident.
* The Columbus Ohio police have received a report that a described a car (you) is being driven erratically. The Columbus will verify the erratic driving before pulling you over.
* The officer has observed suspicious driving, indicating that you might be impaired. Erratic driving includes:
* Making unusually wide turns
* Straddling center line
* Appearing to be under the influence
* Almost hitting roadside objects or vehicles
* Weaving
* Operating the vehicle on anything other than designated roadway (ie: berm, shoulder, etc.)
* Swerving
* Driving at least 10mph below the roadway’s speed limit
* Stopping in traffic lane without cause
* Drifting from lane to lane
* Following vehicles too closely
* Braking erratically
* Driving into opposing traffic
* Signaling inconsistent with driving actions
* Turning abruptly or illegally
* Accelerating or decelerating rapidly
* Headlights off
* You are being stopped for a lesser traffic offense and the officer notices the signs of DUI / OVI.

Once the officer stops you, he or she will look for the following, many of which can be purely subjective:
* Odor of an alcoholic beverage
* Slurred speech
* Watery, blood shot, and/or reddish eyes
* Flushed face
* Droopy eyelids
* Difficulty in comprehending intelligently to question
* Fumbling with driver’s license and registration
* Alcohol containers in the vehicle
* You admit you?ve been drinking

While field sobriety tests are a bad idea, the most important things to do when pulled over and suspected of OVI is to be courteous and respectful of the law enforcement officer at the scene and to be as cooperative as possible within reason. Also, many people do not realize that field sobriety tests are completely voluntary and not required by law, so avoid them if you can.

Granted, this is just an opinion, for legal information contact a Columbus Ohio DUI attorney ASAP!

ANNUAL AMERICAN DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS

TOBACCO ........................ 400,000
ALCOHOL ........................ 100,000
ALL LEGAL DRUGS .............20,000
ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ..........15,000
CAFFEINE .........................2,000
ASPIRIN ...........................500
MARIJUANA ...................... 0
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Source: United States government...
National Institute on Drug Abuse,
Bureau of Mortality Statistics

July 20th, 2009 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director

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[Editor's Note: This interesting and informative exchange of ideas, provided by experts on cannabis regarding the future of America's cannabis policy, was originally published July 19 on the 'Open for Debate' blog found at the New York Times' webpage.]

If Marijuana Is Legal, Will Addiction Rise?

By The Editors
July 19, 2009, 7:00 pm

A New York Times article on Sunday discussed the debate over whether more and more potent types of cannabis affect the levels of addiction to the drug. This particular issue has become part of the larger debate over whether marijuana should be legalized or decriminalized.

Antidrug activists say that if the drug is legalized, more people will use it and addiction levels, made worse by the increased potency, will rise too. Legalization advocates note that pot addiction is not nearly as destructive as, say, abuse of alcohol. What would be the effect of legalization or decriminalization on marijuana abuse and addiction?

*Roger Roffman, professor of social work

*Wayne Hall, professor of public health policy

*Mark A.R. Kleiman, professor of public policy and author

*Peter Reuter, University of Maryland professor

*Norm Stamper, former Seattle police chief

————— Read the rest of this entry »

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