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Posted: August, 2011

DUI Manslaughter Defense Lawyers Whittel & Melton Serving New Port Richey - Spring Hill :: Florida Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Triple DUI Manslaughter Charges

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A 37-year-old man plead guilty to one count of DUI manslaughter Aug. 16, a week before he was set to go on trial to face eight criminal charges, including three counts of DUI manslaughter.

The man allegedly had drugs and alcohol in his system when he rear ended a Chevy SUV at 70 miles per hour on Christmas Day 2007, which took the lives of three people.

If convicted, the man could have faced life in prison. Instead, he decided to plead guilty to one count of DUI manslaughter in exchange for 12 years in prison.

Reports suggested he had a history of driving and drug offenses.

Unlike other crimes in Florida, DUI Manslaughter or even DUI with Serious Bodily Injury are immediately serious, no matter who the accused is. The dirty little secret about these charges is the injury points associated with these charges, when following the Florida Sentencing Score Sheet, will put a defendant (no matter how few priors) in a position to accept prison time or go to trial. It is this singular fact, above all others, that anyone charged with either DUI Manslaughter or DUI Serious Bodily Injury must hire an experienced DUI law firm IMMEDIATELY.

The Florida DUI Manslaughter Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton understand how upsetting it can be when you are involved in a fatal collision. Along with stress, you could be suffering from serious injuries of your own. We can guide you through the duration of your case to make sure that you are well-informed about what is happening during your proceedings and that you receive the greatest possible defense.

It is important to note that a DUI manslaughter charge is a very serious criminal charge that usually carries significant prison time upon conviction.

Continue reading " DUI Manslaughter Defense Lawyers Whittel & Melton Serving New Port Richey - Spring Hill :: Florida Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Triple DUI Manslaughter Charges " »

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Posted In: DUI Manslaughter , Pasco County | New Port Richey

Posted: August, 2011

Land O’Lakes, FL Criminal-DUI Defense Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Pasco County Man Arrested for DUI One Month after Fatal Wreck

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A 21-year-old Land O’Lakes man was charged with DUI and using a firearm under the influence of a controlled substance Sunday around 3 a.m. What made this arrest so newsworthy was it came just one month after the man was involved in a collision last month where a 19-year-old road crew worker was killed.

According to a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office report, the man was pulled over Sunday by authorities for allegedly driving about 20 mph over the speed limit. The arresting officer supposedly noted the man was slurring his words and had bloodshot, dilated eyes.

The man allegedly had a loaded rifle sitting between the driver’s seat and the center console. It was unclear from reports whether or not the driver’s alleged actions that night had a relationship to any emotional consequences from the fatal accident which occurred just one month prior.

The man supposedly did not perform up to standards during a field sobriety test and was transported to Land O’Lakes jail where he was later released on his own recognizance.

The fatal crash involving the man that occurred on June 14 is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The man’s truck allegedly crushed a warning sign, smashed into another truck and killed a road crew worker.

Law enforcement officials are awaiting toxicology reports that should confirm whether or not alcohol contributed to the wreck.

If you have been arrested for a DUI you could face a number of consequences that require a solid defense, even if it is your first offense. Your license could be suspended for a lengthy period of time as well as possible fines, jail time and a highly probable rise in your auto insurance rates. A basic DUI is considered a misdemeanor, but can easily jump up to felony status when a DUI-related accident causes serious bodily harm or death or if you have multiple DUI convictions.

While a DUI conviction can carry serious ramifications, it is important to note that a skilled Florida DUI Defense Attorney can aggressively fight the charges brought against you and work towards a positive outcome for your case. At Whittel & Melton, our attorneys can ask the initial hard-hitting questions that can shape a strong DUI defense strategy. Did the arresting officer follow proper procedure during the arrest and booking? Did the arresting officer exercise probable cause to pull you over? If a breath test was performed, was the officer trained properly on how to use the device? Was the Breathalyzer operating precisely when used?

It is very important to act fast following your arrest for DUI. Generally, within 10 days of arrest, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended for at least six months or seized by police. Moreover, you are only allotted 10 days from the date of your arrest to contest the suspension and file an application to lift the suspension of your Florida driver’s license.

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Posted In: DUI , Pasco County | New Port Richey

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Jason M. Melton

Criminal Defense Attorney

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