If the police pull you over, particularly if they suspect alcohol is involved, there are some things you should remember.

You don’t have to answer their questions. There is no law that says you have to answer there questions. You have to give them your name and address but that is all. You may worry about what the police will think if you don’t answer their questions. You really need to worry about what they will think if you do answer their questions. Just be polite and tell them that you do not wish to answer their questions without an attorney present.

You don’t have to take a field sobriety test. Actually, field sobriety tests are not that accurate. It is not unusual for people to come to the wrong conclusion during a field sobriety test. However, if you refuse to take a field sobriety test, they are probably going to take you to the police station for a blood or breathalyzer test, so your refusal may not keep you out of trouble.

You may think they can’t arrest you unless your BAC is higher than 0.08. Actually they can. They can arrest you if in their judgement you appear to be under the influence of alcohol regardless of your BAC. They can form their opinion based on the way that you were driving. Were you swerving, or changing lanes erratically? Did you hit anything? They can form their opinion based on the way that you were acting. Was your speech slurred? Was your radio blaring loud? Were you speaking loud or brashly?

If you were arrested for DUI, perhaps a good attorney can help you. You should at least have a consultation.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.

Does domestic violence increased during the Super Bowl?

Some people think the answer is yes. Experts are mixed in their opinions. In reality, crimes occur every day, and some experts say there’s no evidence connecting the Super Bowl — which will took place this year between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams Sunday on NBC — to increased rates.

People will drink, emotions will spike, roughly half the fans will be upset after the game, and yes, domestic abuse incidents may most likely occur at a higher rate than usual in households across the country.

The most cited research on the issue is a 2011 study published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics, which found that unexpected or “upset losses”—for example, defeats when a home team is predicted to win by four or more points—are correlated with a 10% increase in the rate of domestic violence. The study found that this rise in domestic violence took place during a narrow window of time around the end of the game, and that the window expanded following disappointing outcomes for more important games, like those against rival teams, playoff games, or, say, the Super Bowl.

The 2011 study’s findings were mirrored by a 2014 study in the UK that found a 26% increase in reports of domestic abuse when the national soccer team won or drew, and a 38% increase when the team lost, suggesting heightened emotion around a team loss can increase the likelihood of violent behaviors toward an intimate partner.

Clearly Super Bowl Sunday is one of the top two drinking holidays of the year, along with New Years Eve,

How much alcohol is consumed during the Super Bowl?

According to an article published by Men’s Fitness, Americans drink 325 million gallons of beer (1,230,258,829.8 litres) on Superbowl Sunday.

If you were one of the people who misbehaved last Sunday and you were arrested, perhaps you should call our office for a consultation.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.