Volusia County

December 27, 2017

Volusia County Deputy Charged with DUI After Off-Duty Collision

A 36-year-old Volusia County sheriff’s deputy was charged with DUI Saturday night after an off-duty crash in his personal vehicle in Daytona Beach.The man faces several charges, according to Sheriff’s Office, including DUI, two counts of DUI with property damage and three counts of DUI with injuries.

The crash was reported just after 7 p.m. at Williamson Boulevard and Dunn Avenue.

Three vehicles were involved, and three people were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash.

The sheriff’s deputy was not among those injured.

The Daytona Beach Police Department investigated the crash.

The sheriff’s deputy was placed on administrative leave with pay effective immediately.

A DUI arrest must be taken seriously, especially when injuries have occurred from a crash. Florida is one of the most aggressive states in the nation in promoting laws aimed at combating the devastating impact of drunk driving. Prosecutors seek harsh penalties for DUI offenders. If you or someone you know is arrested for DUI resulting in serious bodily injury, you need a Florida DUI Defense Lawyer on your side to help mitigate the consequences of your arrest.

March 16, 2017

Avoid a DUI On St. Patrick’s Day

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday this year, so we all know that means more people will be partaking in shenanigans this holiday weekend.

St. Patty’s Day is the fourth most popular drinking holiday, behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas and Independence Day. Every year, more than 33 million Americans celebrate by drinking pints of Guinness or green beer.

As with any holiday, St. Patrick’s Day can lead to some bad judgement calls, including choosing to drink and drive. While St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebrating the luck of the Irish, a DUI can put a serious damper on your good time. A DUI conviction brings you anything but luck, including fines, jail time and loss of driving privileges. Not to mention that you put yourself and the lives of everyone sharing the roadways with you in extreme danger when you drink and drive. Reports indicate that on St. Patrick’s Day, there is a fatal alcohol-related accident every 74 minutes.

Instead of driving, plan another way home in advance. An Uber, Lyft or taxi ride is just a phone call away. Public transportation options are also available, depending on where you choose to celebrate.

If you are arrested this St. Patrick’s Day, or any other day for that matter, and charged with a DUI, it is best to retain legal counsel right away. Our Florida DUI Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will be available 24/7 this St. Patrick’s Day weekend should you find yourself detained for DUI.

June 29, 2016

Former Nickelodeon Star Drake Bell Pleads Not Guilty To Second DUI

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell pleaded not guilty today to his second DUI charge.

Bell was arrested in Glendale on Dec. 21, 2015, according to reports from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors allege that Bell was seen driving erratically on San Fernando Road.

The actor also allegedly refused to take a sobriety test.

At his arraignment today, Bell pleaded not guilty. He is due for a pretrial hearing on August 5.

In 2010, Bell was convicted of driving under the influence in San Diego.

Because this is his second charge within a 10 year period, Bell could potentially face 365 days in county jail if convicted. Bell, who submitted proof of attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous classes, is currently out of jail.

With a second DUI charge in the state of Florida, the stakes go up significantly. If this is your second offense, you probably know what to expect in court. Our Florida DUI Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton know how scary these charges can be and we understand your fears regarding your future. Florida judges do not go lightly on DUI offenders, particularly repeat offenders.

May 5, 2016

Cinco de Mayo DUI: What To Do If You Were Arrested in Florida

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Cinco de Mayo is viewed as an American drinking holiday, just like St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve and Halloween. On the fifth of May, there is usually a rise in DUI arrests due to local law enforcement officers cracking down on drunk drivers using DUI checkpoints. If you have found yourself facing DUI charges, it is best to speak with a Florida DUI Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible so that you can better understand your legal rights.

We understand how to help you build the strongest possible case for DUI charges. We will start by collecting and analyzing the facts surrounding your case, including why the police stopped you in the first place and how they tested your blood alcohol content level.

Did you know that Breathalyzers can malfunction? Police can even make errors when it comes to the proper methods for administering these tests. A further investigation into the testing procedures could show that the equipment used may not have been maintained or calibrated properly. Let us help you mount the strongest possible defense for the specific DUI charges you are facing.

When it comes to DUI cases, it is important to act fast as there are deadlines for filing paperwork, and if these documents are not filled out correctly, this could weaken your chances of achieving the best possible outcome. Even if you are facing a first- time DUI arrest, you could still be looking at possible jail time. Prosecutors fight quite aggressively to enforce the maximum punishments on DUI offenders. As former prosecutors, we know what techniques the State will attempt to bring against you and can counter their attacks accordingly.

March 17, 2016

Stay Lucky On St. Patrick’s Day – Don’t Drink & Drive

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

St. Patrick’s Day is here! This holiday celebrates Irish heritage with food, green attire, music, dancing and, often, the consumption of alcohol. According to reports from the National Highway Safety Administration, St. Patrick’s Day sees one of the biggest increases in drunk driving arrests and accidents compared to the rest of the year. In fact, during the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, more than 28 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities involved drunk drivers. Moreover, from 2010 to 2014, nearly three-fourths of the drunk-driving fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers who had blood alcohol contents (BACs) above the 0.08 limit. Of those crashes, 266 resulted in death.

If you are arrested for a DUI in Florida, you can face very harsh consequences. For a first offense, you could potentially serve time behind bars along with heavy fines, probation, suspension of your license and even the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device. DUIs that involve bodily injury or death are even more serious and carry even more severe consequences.

The increased number of drunk drivers on the road on St. Patrick’s Day not only leads to an increased risk of becoming involved in an accident, but also an increased chance of being arrested. Law enforcement is well aware that holidays lead to more DUIs. Because of this, they increase patrols and set up DUI checkpoints in hopes of catching anyone drunk behind the wheel. They are ready to make arrests, so be aware of this as you are out celebrating.

December 30, 2015

Drunk on NYE? AAA Offers Free Tows in Florida Through New Year’s

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

If you have had one too many drinks and can’t drive home New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, AAA will give you and your car a ride home.

Through its “Tow to Go” program, which is geared towards limiting the number of drunken drivers on the road by providing free lifts on a tow truck, the company is offering free rides throughout Florida through New Year’s Day.

“Tow to Go is basically a safety net or a last resort for people who don’t have a plan in place when they are away from their home and celebrating,” said Tow to Go program spokesman Matt Nasworthy.

Those who may need a lift do not have to be AAA members, but the service is offered on the availability of AAA drivers and tow trucks.

If you need a ride, the service is confidential and a tow truck driver will take you to a safe location within a 10-mile radius of your location.

The rides are intended to be a last resort for people who do not have a safe way to get home. AAA recommends planning ahead and selecting a designated driver or using a cab before calling for a tow.

The program is funded by Anheuser-Busch Wholesalers, who have co-sponsored the program since its inception.

To request a free tow and ride from AAA, call 855-286-9246.

The program has been offered since 1998 in Florida, and has provided more than 24,000 rides to impaired drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida had the third highest number of DUI-related fatalities in the nation in 2012. If you are found to be under the influence of alcohol and are in an accident, in addition to harsh criminal penalties, you could be held liable for all of the costs resulting from the collision. If a fatality does occur, you could be found at-fault in a potential wrongful death lawsuit along with the criminal consequences.

The average cost of a first time DUI can range up to $10,000, including fines, legal defense, and auto insurance increases. If you are going to be out celebrating this New Year’s Eve, be smart and refrain from drinking and driving.

December 1, 2015

Woman Sentenced to 11 Years for Fatal Daytona Beach DUI Crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A central Florida woman has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for a fatal drunk driving collision.

The Volusia County judge sentenced the 44-year-old woman on Tuesday. Jurors found her guilty of the fatal DUI crash in October.

Authorities believe the woman was speeding in November 2012 when she rear-ended a 22-year-old woman, who was stopped at a red light.

The woman’s blood alcohol level after the crash registered at 0.152 percent, according to police. Florida law considers a driver impaired at 0.08 percent.

Car accidents can cause serious injuries in many ways, especially in rear-end collisions. However, when alcohol or drug use is involved, what could have been a simple car accident may become a serious felony criminal charge. In the state of Florida, a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, and who causes injuries in an accident may face charges of DUI Manslaughter.

November 25, 2015

Stay Safe & Prevent a DUI this Thanksgiving Holiday

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Around 40 million drivers will be travelling on the roadways over the long Thanksgiving weekend to spend time with family and friends. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend is the most travelled holiday period of the year. It is estimated that 418 people will lose their lives in motor vehicle collisions in the United States this Thanksgiving weekend, according to the National Safety Council.

For college students, Thanksgiving Eve is sometimes referred to as “Black Wednesday,” and it is unofficially known as the busiest bar night of the year, which means it is also the biggest drunk driving night of the year.

As many people celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, their celebration also includes the use of not just alcohol, but also drugs. Alcohol or drugs, or a combination of them, will put drivers at risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accidents that could kill or injure themselves as well as others.

It is important to mention that Florida has a Zero Tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. Any driver who is under 21 who is stopped by law enforcement officers and has a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher will automatically have his or her Florida driver’s license suspended for six months. There are many other devastating consequences that accompany a DUI conviction, including academic penalties as well as criminal consequences.

Avoid a DUI this Thanksgiving

There are a few tips that can be followed to prevent DUI injuries and deaths, including:

Plan a safe way to get home before heading out to your party
Before drinking, designate a sober driver

If you are intoxicated, please do not get behind the wheel of a car. Call a taxi, use public transportation, call a sober friend or family member, or even use a ride share app such as Uber or Lyft so that you are sure to get home safely.
Remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.

September 2, 2015

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway. From August 19 through September 7, 2015, the national drunk driving enforcement crackdown will run to increase awareness through public safety campaigns. Law enforcement agencies across the nation will be out in full force to catch drunk driving offenders.

This year, the NHTSA will be taking a multi-pronged approach to educational awareness. They will be using paid, earned and social media advertising outlets, as well as working with a variety of local resources across the country.

Drunk Driving: A Look At the Numbers

Around one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers.
In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in the U.S.
On Labor Day weekend in 2013, there were 424 crash fatalities nationwide.
Nearly half of the 424 fatal crashes in 2013 involved drunk drivers.
In 2013, an estimated 1 in 5 child passenger deaths happened in drunk-driving crashes.
Drunk driving crashes cost an estimated $49.8 billion annually.

Increased Enforcement of Drunk Driving Laws

In the upcoming weeks, local and state law enforcement agencies will be stepping up their drunk driving enforcement efforts. Expect to see an increased number of patrols out as well as more DUI checkpoints. Labor Day weekend is notorious for drunk driving offenders, so you can expect to see additional police units out and about looking for drunk drivers.

Do not risk a DUI or the lives of others. Always get a safe ride home.

Stay Safe Over Labor Day Weekend & Avoid a DUI Arrest

Labor Day Weekend can be especially dangerous for drivers in Florida and across the country. The NHTSA urges motorists to remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Even just one drink can be one drink too many. If you intend to celebrate with alcohol, always make a plan to get home safely. When in doubt, call a friend or a cab.

July 18, 2015

Denver Nuggets Ty Lawson Charged with DUI

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Denver Nuggets star Ty Lawson was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles Tuesday night making this his second DUI arrest this year.

Lawson was apparently pulled over by CHP for speeding on the 101 Freeway early Tuesday morning. Officers allege he showed signs of intoxication, so they gave him a field sobriety test.

He was arrested around 2:30 AM.

Cops said during the arrest, Lawson identified himself as an NBA player.

Washington Wizards v/s Denver Nuggets January 25, 2011

His bail was set at $5,000.

Lawson’s previous DUI arrest was back in January in Denver.

If you happen to be one of the nearly half a million people who have been charged with multiple DUIs, you must have a Florida DUI Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton working on your defense. There is so much at stake with a DUI charge, and you could spend time behind bars as well as lose your driving privileges. Moreover, your wallet will definitely take a big hit if you are convicted.