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By admin, June 29, 2010 12:28 pm

Actor Chris Klein has been charged with his 2nd DUI Offense

Actor Chris Klein has been officially charged with his Second DUI in the Los Angeles County Court System.  Klein co-starred in the 1990’s blockbuster “American Pie” series and has had limited success in acting since then.  Klein was arrested on June 16^th when Police officers spotted his car weaving in and out of traffic in the San Fernando Valley area in California.  Klein is facing two counts of misdemeanor DUI, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Prosecutor.  Klein will be arraigned on July 9^th, if convicted this will be his second DUI offense the first was in 2005. 

 Klein faces a minimum of three days in jail but could be sentenced to one year due to his previous DUI arrest.  California’s DUI laws mandate these minimums: three to five years of probation, a fine and court fees that can range from $1800 to $2800.  Penalties also include a two year loss of his California Drivers License, mandatory installation of an interlock device, an eighteen month DUI School, and ninety-six (96) hours of mandatory jail time.

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By thoug, December 28, 2009 10:37 am

Most people are unaware that it is a felony in Arizona tbe convicted of a DUI with a minor 15 years of age or younger in the vehicle. For residents or visitors whwere unaware of this – you are about tfind out the extreme consequences of this aggravated DUI charge…

Even if it is a driver’s first DUI – and even if the driver is impaired tthe slightest degree by less than the .08 blood-alcohol content required tbe DUI – the driver will be charged with aggravated DUI. This is the most severe DUI on the books in Arizona – a class-4 felony that will most likely entail:

• Four months in prison
• At least $4,000 in fines and fees
• Probation
• An ignition interlock device
• License revocation for 3 years
• Your car being impounded

In addition tbeing convicted of a DUI with a minor in the vehicle, you can alsbe charged with aggravated DUI in Arizona if you had twprior DUI convictions within a period of 84 months (seven years) of the third DUI conviction.

Contrast this with Wisconsin, where a new law will make first-offense drunk driving a misdemeanor if a child younger that 16 is in the vehicle. All other first-time offenses would remain traffic offenses. Sources site Wisconsin as the only state tcurrently treat first-offense DUIs this way.

The point here is tnever have even one drink if you need ttake your 15- year-old (or younger) ta party, or ta school event or tthe dentist. Aggravated DUI in Arizona brings consequences none would find easy. A $100 cab fare or finding other reliable transportation is well worth it.

Although DUIs should rarely come as a surprise tany driver, the Beauchamp Law Offices realize good citizens get arrested for DUI every day in Arizona. If we can help you build your case, please contact us.

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By thoug, December 17, 2009 9:15 am

If you receive a DUI in Arizona, an ignition interlock device is mandatory. And if you understand ignition interlock devices, you can avoid some of the stress associated with having to use them. By reading the below information, you can help assure that you are in compliance, thus avoiding more penalties.

Important Terms and Requirements for Arizona Users of Ignition Interlock Devices

CIID:

A certified ignition interlock device. The device company, installation and service must be authorized by Arizona Motor Vehicle Department (MVD). Using unauthorized products or services, or tampering with devices, can bring further penalties. To obtain certified products and services, see the MVD section of the Arizona Department of Transportation website. Each provider has a toll-free number. They will advise you of costs and installation details.

MVD monitoring:

You must understand all applicable MVD forms and established policies. Ask the MVD or authorized provider if you have questions.

Inspections:

The installer must inspect the device every 30 days for 3 months, and then every other month, until use is completed. You must confirm with the inspector that the device is functioning correctly. If you haven’t followed requirements, the inspector will most likely discover this.

Proof of compliance:

You must provide proof of compliance every 90 days. If you do not, you may lose driving privileges indefinitely, or until you give proof. Although the interlock company usually takes care of this task on your behalf, you may have no recourse if they do not. So, be sure to contact them and verify they have taken care of this every time just before your proof of compliance is due. If not, you can do this on your own.

The Human Aspects Can Be Just as Important as the Terms and Procedures

Try not to let the predicament of using the interlock device lead to further repercussions. Time will pass, and the best way to handle the situation is to willingly follow the rules. The devices can actually be used somewhat discretely if you put in some effort.

Our next blog about ignition interlock devices will provide more specific details about MVD forms, how to prove compliance and how to manage inspections.

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By thoug, December 15, 2009 9:42 am

Many people who have been arrested for DUI figure they can handle their own case because they consider themselves a quick study. However, it is in the defendant’s interest to hire an attorney.

Regardless of which attorney you decide to hire – even if it’s not one from the Beauchamp Law Offices – hire an attorney if one is not appointed to you. As Arizona state DUI law evolves, the penalties increase, and the process of seeing the case through to the end becomes more complicated.

Everyone arrested for DUI should take it upon themselves to ensure that their rights are protected. Too many times, people who have represented themselves or chosen inadequate counsel have unnecessarily cost themselves some of their freedom.

If you follow these tips to guide you as you search for a qualified DUI attorney, you can feel much more confident as you proceed:

1. Resist the impulse to select the first name you see. An ad appears on late-night TV, you’re all stressed, so you call. Focus on research, not impulse.
2. Start by asking, “are you experienced with DUI?” But don’t stop there. Ask them what they know about decreasing or eliminating each of the following penalties: fines, ignition interlock, alcohol screening, alcohol counseling, suspension of driving privileges, community service, probation and jail time.
3. Ask which courts the lawyer has tried cases in to see if yours is included. The following prosecutors’ offices each have their own DUI processes: Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler, Glendale and many other cities in metro Phoenix.
4. Will one attorney handle your case in its entirety? Get the law firm to ensure that the staff handling your case will be stable.
5. Ask the prospective firm to share their specific plan for investigating and analyzing your case. If they don’t provide a detailed description of this process, that’s a red light.

A DUI case is a life-altering event that can threaten your job, mobility and reputation if poorly managed. The best attorneys know everything there is to know about DUIs. Ask the hard questions and make sure you are satisfied with all the answers.