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DUI traffic stop questions: These may be on your mind

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

If you never drink alcohol and drive, you never have to concern yourself with being arrested for this crime. However, this alone isn't good enough, as it's always possible an officer could pull you over for suspicion of DUI.

Here are a few of the most common DUI traffic stop questions, all of which can help you better understand what will happen and how to protect your legal rights.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit? If your blood alcohol content level is .08 percent or higher, the officer will consider you to be driving under the influence of alcohol. This will also lead to your arrest.
How do police determine if you are under the influence of alcohol? There are many ways for them to do this, including the use of field sobriety tests. Along with this, a chemical blood alcohol level test typically comes into play if you fail a sobriety test.
Are you required to do what the officer tells you? You can refuse to partake in field sobriety tests and a chemical blood alcohol level test. However, doing so will impact your defense strategy, so it's important to make a decision based on the circumstances surrounding your situation.
Are DUI checkpoints legal? You're not excited about the idea of driving into a DUI checkpoint, but these are 100 percent legal. You have the right to turn around before going through a checkpoint, but don't break the law while doing so.
What happens next? If the officer arrests you for driving under the influence, you'll be taken to a local police station for processing. Conversely, if it's found that you are not under the influence and didn't commit any other crime, the officer will let you go on your way.

Energy drinks and alcohol: Not worth the risk

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Friday, November 30, 2018.

Many people enjoy going out and having a drink or two with friends or colleagues. In most cases, they spend time together, then leave and arrive home safely. However, sometimes, people make the decision to get behind the wheel when they shouldn't. They might cause a drunk-driving collision or you to be pulled over and arrested for driving dangerously.

There are certain actions that increase the risk of this happening including combining alcohol and caffeine. When you combine alcohol and caffeine, caffeine can mask the effects of alcohol. You might think you're alert and ready to drive, but the reality could be that you're still very much intoxicated.

Can you get a job with a DUI on your record?

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Wednesday, November 14, 2018.

Everyone makes mistakes. For some people, that's breaking and entering. For others, it's drinking and driving.

If you get behind the wheel when you're intoxicated, you increase the risk of being pulled over for a DUI. A DUI is a serious offense that can lead to many expenses ranging from alcohol or substance abuse treatment to court fines.

Will you keep your job after a DUI?

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Monday, November 5, 2018.

A DUI has many connotations, but the primary issue that employers see is that you are a risk. No employer wants to be held liable for a worker's negligence or poor behaviors, so they're less likely to want to take you on as an employee if you have a checkered past.

What about if you are already working for someone, though? Will you lose your job because of a mistake when you weren't working? It's possible, and there are a few reasons why.

3 risks of ponds as water features on a property

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Monday, October 29, 2018.

Landscape ponds can be beautiful water features that enhance the aesthetic value of the property. They are designed to suit your yard and home, but they can also be extremely dangerous if they're unkept.

As someone who loves having a small pond on your property, you are probably well aware of the risk of drowning that a pond poses. There are other risks, though. Anyone with a pond needs to make sure these risks are mitigated to protect others against personal injuries.

A DUI could cost thousands: Fight back

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Friday, October 26, 2018.

The true cost of a DUI can't be explained with a single figure. There are financial costs, of course, but other losses, like jobs or scholarship opportunities to universities could also add to the overall expense of the crime.

Nationally, the average cost of a DUI crime is around $10,000. This includes bail and legal fees. It can also include higher expenses in insurance and the loss of time on the job.

Know your rights if you are stopped at a sobriety checkpoint

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Sobriety checkpoints are something everyone knows about but no one wants to see on the roads, especially if they've been drinking. While the intention of a sobriety checkpoint is good, the reality is that many believe it violates their rights. It means they're stopped by police when they've done nothing to merit being pulled over.

Many states and jurisdictions use sobriety checkpoints as a way to monitor drivers in their area and to arrest those who have had too much to drink. Not all states use these programs because of the legal issues that have always surrounded them.

Stores must be safe for shoppers

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Premises liability comes in a host of forms. One of the types that people might think about has to do with going to the store. When you go shopping, you probably assume that the store will be safe for people who are doing business there. While most of the time, all is well, sometimes things go wrong.

Accidents that occur at a store can lead to several different types of injuries. Some, such as those to the brain and spinal cord, are very serious. Here are some important things to know about shopping accidents:

Distracted driving must be stopped

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Monday, October 1, 2018.

Distracted driving is a serious problem on all streets. This is especially true on the interstates because of the higher speeds. Any amount of time that a driver is distracted has the potential to be disastrous.

Many things can distract a driver, so it is imperative that all drivers are paying attention. Unfortunately, not all do. Some drivers choose to allow other things to claim their attention. Here are some points that you might find interesting about distracted driving:

What's involved in a field sobriety test?

On behalf of Drennan Law Firm on Thursday, September 13, 2018.

Field sobriety tests are an important part of the evidence gathering process for police officers who conduct a suspected DUI stop in South Carolina. Because Breathalyzer test results -- and the results of other types of blood alcohol tests -- can sometimes be thrown out as evidence, it's important for police to have other tests they can fall back on. The field sobriety test is one such example -- and the detailed notes taken by the officer pertaining to the way a driver completed this test could, in some cases, be sufficient evidence to cause a DUI conviction.

Field sobriety tests include the following types of tests, which police must carry out in accordance with strict legal protocol:

DUI traffic stop questions: These may be on your mind

Energy drinks and alcohol: Not worth the risk

Can you get a job with a DUI on your record?

Will you keep your job after a DUI?

3 risks of ponds as water features on a property

A DUI could cost thousands: Fight back

Know your rights if you are stopped at a sobriety checkpoint

Stores must be safe for shoppers

Distracted driving must be stopped

What's involved in a field sobriety test?

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