Posts Tagged ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’
Las Vegas- area Police Officer Arrested for DUI, How Does This Charge Affect My Employment?
January 21st, 2013
Posted in DUI News
Las Vegas, NV- A police officer in Henderson, just 15 miles outside the Las Vegas area, was arrested for DUI following a minor fender bender. How does a DUI arrest or conviction affect a person’s employment conviction?
According to KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, off-duty officer Sgt. Lisa Mattingly was arrested last week for suspicion of DUI after she rear-ended a car at the intersection of Gibson Rd. and Horizon Ridge Parkway. Henderson police spokesman Keith Paul told KLAS-TV that Mattingly was follow another car too closely which led to her arrest for intoxicated driving.
Mattingly has been suspended from duty pending an investigation.
DUIs, while fairly common are still a terrible mark to have on your permanent record. If you are trying to get a job on police force or other job where integrity is an important part of your job, a DUI can have an affect on your current or future employment though it isn’t prohibitive.
If you’re DUI charge involves drugs it will like be a major road block for obtaining employment, however an alcohol-related DUI is not generally as serious. But everything really depends on the police force you are applying for; some are more lenient than others and will look into the circumstance surrounding your arrest. Other police forces have a zero-tolerance policy and will refuse to hire anyone with a criminal record.
If you are already employed, a DUI can affect your working relationships. Many states revoke a first offender’s license, so relying on public transportation and rides from others can make it difficult to show up to work on time. On top of that, while you are going through the legal process of building a DUI defense you may have to miss work for court dates and lawyer appointments, this missed work can build up an overtime may impact the attitude of your boss and coworkers.
A DUI can also affect your employment for a private job, especially if it’s one that requires driving and the use of a company car. Most private employers conduct background checks on new hires and are trying to determine your personal stability. But the farther in the past the DUI is the less impact it will have on your chances of getting hired, the key is if you have a DUI conviction and you are asked about in an interview be honest and if explain you made a mistake. DUIs are fairly common so chances are your prospective employer will understand if you are candid, and it is the only criminal charge on your record.
Typically, a DUI will stay on your record for a minimum of five years. In some states a DUI will appear on your record for far longer, going back for years. In Nevada, a DUI conviction will be on your criminal and driving record for a minimum of 7 years and their also costly.
Once on your criminal record it can be very difficult to get the charge removed with the help of expert Las Vegas DUI attorney. If it is at all possible, and you have an accomplished attorney it is in your best interest to try beat a DUI conviction.
Washington State and Colorado Legalize Marijuana, What Does this Mean for DUIs?
November 8th, 2012
Posted in DUI News
Seattle, WA- Voters in Washington state and Colorado legalized the recreational use of marijuana, the first two states to do so. But even though residents in the state can puff away for fun, that doesn’t mean they can’t get charged with a DUI.
Both Washington and Colorado, along with the 17 states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal use, treat stoned drivers the same way they treat drunk drivers.
In Washington, a standard of 5 nano grams of active THC per milliliter of blood has been set as the standard to prosecute a driver for drugged driving. The body metabolizes marijuana differently from alcohol; a frequent pot smoker can have up to 2 ng/mL of THC in their blood 24 to 48 hours after smoking, well after the actual effects of the drug wear off.
While Washington State may have blood concentration requirements for prosecuting a stoned driver, many states, even medical marijuana states, have a zero tolerance policy. Which means you could smoke marijuana on Tuesday, and be charged with drugged driving on Thursday, even if you didn’t actually smoke that day.
As more states legalize marijuana for recreational use, and they will in time, the DUI laws will have to be examined and a possibly changed because of the way the drug is metabolized.
Since marijuana use is prevalent in America, DUI attorneys are well-versed in building a defense and helping a person avoid conviction. The penalties for drugged driving are the same as drunk driving so it’s important to have legal representation to keep a court from handing down a tough sentence.
Can Drivers Be Charged With DUI Now That Marijuana Is Legal In Washington State?
November 8th, 2012
Posted in DUI News
Seattle, WA- The legalization of marijuana has always been a controversial topic. But now, it might just be happening in Seattle, Washington.
Voters in the state and in Colorado legalized the recreational use of marijuana, becoming the first two states to do so. However, even though residents can smoke cannabis for fun – not medically like in some other states – they can still be charged with driving under the influence.
Washington and Colorado, along with 17 states other states, have legalized marijuana for medicinal use, but all these states have also taken zero pity against intoxicated drivers. In Washington, a standard of 5 nano grams of active THC per milliliter of blood is the legal limit that can be used to prosecute a driver for operating their vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.
The substance is metabolized differently than alcohol, with a frequent pot smoker having up to 2 ng/mL of THC in their blood for up to 48 hours after smoking. This means the effects can wear off, but the THC is still present and the driver can be hit with a DUI.
Furthermore, while Washington State has blood concentration requirements for charging a driver with intoxication, other states that allow medical marijuana use have a zero tolerance policy. This means that if a driver were to smoke pot at home on a Saturday, they can still be charged with DUI two days later, even if they didn’t smoke that day.
Anyone who has been arrested for marijuana use or possession can turn to a DUI lawyer for help to reduce their penalties or possibly walk away from their case with charges dropped. Turn to a DUI attorney immediately so you can protect your rights.
Colorado Lawmakers Vote for a Bill to Standardize DUI Limit of Marijuana Consumption
February 28th, 2012
Posted in DUI News
DENVER – Colorado lawmakers have voted on a bill to set a standard when determining if drivers are impaired when operating vehicles under the influence of marijuana.
A Senate committee voted Monday to endorse a proposal for determining if a driver is intoxicated with marijuana. According to the bill, the driver would be considered impaired if they test positive for 5 nanograms or more of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in the drug, per milliliter of blood.
There have been disagreements over whether a THC test is a fair determinant of whether a driver is impaired, but the Senate panel voted for it and the measure will now move to the full chamber.
“The privilege of smoking marijuana should stop at the vehicle door,” said the bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Steve King, of Grand Junction.
Those against the bill argue that since THC is stored in the body’s fat, levels can build up over a period of time, causing skewed results. However, those pushing for the bill argue that the level of THC is significant enough to judge impairment.
Different states have varying laws over the legal limit for marijuana consumption. Some allow marijuana use for medical purposes, some have a set limit of THC allowable, while some have a zero-tolerance policy.
The bill still has to clear the full Senate before heading to the Republican House. If it passes, the bill would end up costing over half a million dollars to implement next year.
Driving under the influence can lead to terrible consequences for the motorist. Not only can a driver convicted of DUI suffer legal penalties like losing their license or going to jail, but it can also cause the motorist to lose their job or have their civil rights affected. If you have been arrested for DUI, speak to a DUI lawyer right away to contest your charges. With a leading paralegal on your side, you can rest assured your charges will either be significantly diminished or dropped altogether.
DWI lawyers work diligently to make sure your case ends with the best possible outcome. Your paralegal will investigate the incident, and if they uncover any evidence of a fraud, they will do whatever it takes to clear you of your charges.
Contact the office of a leading team of DWI lawyers today to get started on your case.
Feds struggle to fight stoned driving
July 5th, 2011
Posted in DUI News
We are aware how alcohol impairs a person’s ability to drive, and what level of alcohol is legally allowable before a person can be charged with a DUI. However, there is little known about the effects that marijuana has on a person’s driving skills.
A third of the nation’s states have legalized marijuana for medical use. In the ensuing time, the rate of traffic fatalities caused by drugged drivers, who did not have alcohol in their system, has increased by 55 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A road assessment conducted by the NHTSA found that 16 percent of night drivers nationwide had some form of drugs in their system, over half tested positive for marijuana.
Despite the type of intoxicant in a person’s system, they will need to hire a DUI attorney to defend them in court.
There is no federal regulation on the legal allowable amount of marijuana a person can have in their systems to be charged with a DUI. Thirteen states have a zero tolerance policy, but many rely on the judgment of police officers. There is little information on the ways in which marijuana affects a person’s driving, which the Federal Government is currently studying.
Even though driving under the influence of any substance is illegal many will continue to endanger their lives and others. Getting a DUI charge is serious and requires the help of a DUI lawyer. Authorities will punish DUI offender very harshly, and only a DUI attorney can make it possible to have the penalties reduced.
