DUI Lawyers,,DUI Laws,Penalties

Archive for January, 2007

Overseas flights offer a great opportunity to polish off a book or two. Whilst travelling a couple of weeks ago, I read “Influence: The Psychology Of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini. What a great read. It certainly bought back a few memories of my social psychology lectures. This book is a must read for any manager, supervisor, marketer or sales person.

Most people will probably associate the words ‘influence’ or ‘persuasion’ to the sales process. However influencing is at the core of most workplace functions. Whether it is managing others, selling, marketing, administration etc – all of these functions require us, at some stage, to influence others. It may be influencing customers, colleagues or friends to buy, to do, to accept or to believe in something or someone. The ability to influence others – in an ethical manner – is a greatly under-rated competency.

If you want to sell anything, influence anybody or motivation action, Cialdini outlines six key methods. These are: reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, likeability, authority and scarcity.

Let’s have a brief look at each.

Reciprocity

People are more willing to comply with requests (for favors, services, information, concessions, etc.) from those who have provided such things first. This is the old ‘give and take’ scenario – if I do this for you, will you do something for me? This form of influencing is used in many ways. One place you see this tactic used is in supermarkets; merchandisers offer you free food to taste, you reciprocate by purchasing.

Commitment/Consistency

People are more willing to be moved in a particular direction if they see it as consistent with an existing commitment. A good example of the commitment principle is used in retail sales – notice how a good sales person will try to get you to try something on – once you are committed to try, you are closer to buy.

Authority

People are more willing to follow the directions or recommendations of a communicator to whom they attribute relevant authority or expertise. For example, an expert witness talking in technical terms has more persuasive powers with juries than a lay eyewitness. A tactic used a lot in advertising is to have recognized experts endorse products. Having Dr or PhD linked to a name adds persuasive power. Dan Carter sells a lot of men’s underwear to women who are buying on behalf of men. A double whammy here, Dan has authority and attractiveness (see below).

Social Validation

People are more willing to take a recommended action if they see evidence that many others, especially similar others, are taking it. Have you ever noticed how a small group will attract a crowd and a crowd attracts a mob – If a street performer can get 4 or 5 people to stand and watch, I guarantee there will be 20 people there within a minute or two. If two or three people throw money into the hat, many other coins will follow – that’s why busters always “seed” their violin case with notes and coins.

Scarcity

I love this one; it sucks me in all the time. People find objects and opportunities more attractive to the degree that they are scarce, rare, or dwindling in availability. Air New Zealand’s current ‘grab a seat’ campaign plays on this scarcity principle. Think about the one-day sale or tickets to a popular concert/event that last sold out in 30 minutes.

Liking/Friendship/Attractiveness,

Yes folks, beauty does sell. People prefer to say yes to those they know, like and find attractive. It’s a proven fact that voters will be more swayed by an attractive, friendly candidate than policy. I’ll tell you one thing, there are many local election billboards littering out streets at present that are helping people to vote against a candidate!

Measuring And Predicting Influence

A person’s influencing and persuasion ability is heavily driven by their personality, and as such can be measured. Influencing and Persuading is a competency measured in the ASSESS profile.

There are also several attributes measured in the Rembrandt Portrait that points to one’s influencing ability. These are; Motivation To Influence, Assertion, Willingness To Confront Opposition, Empathy and Resilience.

If you are hiring or developing staff that need influencing and persuading ability (sales persons, outbound call centre operators, leaders, managers etc) it’s important to ensure they have the innate personality characteristics to drive this competency. Assessing them through a valid personality profile will give you this important information.

The science of influencing is very powerful. Those who can understand the theories will be more equipped to generate change and growth in their businesses.

DUI is not a new thing in Texas. In fact many of the Texas drivers have been charged with DUI case. Once you have violated the law regarding drinking and driving, you need a DUI Lawyer available to represent you in the court. The DUI Lawyer that you will hire will help you prove the court that you are a decent man who has realized your mistake. After your arrest, you can start looking for Texas DUI Lawyer.

You have to undergo some test once you have been caught DUI. Your blood will be tested to find solid evidence that you are really guilty. Hiring a DUI Lawyer can give you the confidence that you can face the court proceedings properly and you can come out with the help of your DUI Lawyer. You surely want to reduce the penalties given to you and so your DUI Lawyer will have the responsibility to convince the court that you deserve some considerations.

You are automatically guilty once you have arrested DUI. Anybody who has done a mistake should pay for it especially when that mistake affects the life of the other people seriously. However, you have also your right to defend yourself that is why you need the help of DUI Lawyer in Texas. You have to make sure that you will hire a Texas DUI Lawyer who has a lot of experience in criminal defense so that you can ensure that you will be given less sentence at the end of your case.

DUI Lawyer serving in Texas is specialized in the cases such as yours thus you have to spend your time in looking for your own DUI Lawyer who will become at your side in the whole process. DUI Lawyer is the only person you can turn in this situation since they have studied criminal defense for how many years. You can trust a DUI Lawyer that he can do something to lower your punishment since he knows every DUI law.

Searching for DUI Lawyer is not that hard nowadays since there is a certain site in the internet which can provide you with the best DUI Lawyer in Texas. In fact, the site has list of DUI Lawyer as well as DUI law in the different states. Thus by visiting their site, you can have more chances of getting the greatest Texas DUI Lawyer who can defend you.

Now you can feel comfortable that you will be working with DUI Lawyer who will try and do everything just to win your case. And you do not have to worry about the expenses because you can save your money since your DUI Lawyer can offer you with no obligation evaluation of your case. Isn’t it a great idea for you to get a DUI Lawyer who will become your best weapon against your DUI case?

“Under the Influence”

There are two different types of DUI offenses that may be charged, depending on whether the person had a blood alcohol content below .08 percent or at or above the .08 percent. BAC is measured by the grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. BAC is tested by way of blood tests or by breath tests which use fuel cell and infrared technology.

BAC below .08 percent

A BAC below the per se legal driving limit of .08 percent can be charged as a violation of California Vehicle Code section 23152(a).

“Under the influence” is defined as: A person is under the influence of an alcoholic beverage when as a result of drinking the beverage, using the drug, or both, his or her physical or mental abilities are so impaired that he or she no longer has the ability to drive a vehicle with the caution characteristic of a sober person of ordinary prudence under the same or similar circumstances. If it is established that a person is driving a vehicle under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, it is no defense that another cause also tended to impair his or her ability to drive with the required caution, such as evidence of loss of sleep, epilepsy, diabetes, or injury.

BAC at or above .08 percent-Per Se DUI violation

A BAC at or above .08 percent can be charged as a violation of California Vehicle Code section 23152(b). Note: California can charge and convict the DUI offender of both the “(a)” and “(b)” counts, however one can only be punished for one, not both.

“Under the influence” is defined as: If the evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that at the time of the chemical analysis of the defendant’s blood, breath, or urine, there was 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the defendant’s blood, the trier of fact may, but need not, infer that the defendant was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage at the time of the alleged offense.

Sufficiency of Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial evidence is evidence that, if found to be true, proves a fact from which an inference of the existence of another fact may be drawn. An inference is a deduction of fact that may logically and reasonably be drawn from another fact or group of facts established by the evidence.

A finding of guilt may not be based on circumstantial evidence alone, unless the proved circumstances are not only: 1) consistent with the theory that the defendant is guilty of the crime, but 2) cannot be reconciled with any other rational conclusion.

Importantly, if the circumstantial evidence permits two reasonable interpretations, one of which points to the defendant’s guilt and the other to defendant’s innocence, the jury must adopt that interpretation that points to the defendant’s innocence, and reject that interpretation that points to guilt.

“A Nation Without Drunk Driving.” This is a symposium that will be sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or known as MADD as part of the International DUI (meaning Driving Under the Influence) Technology Symposium that would be held on the 19th and the 20th of this month in Albuquerque, Canada. During this symposium, the latest innovations to help out lessen the number of drunk drivers would be showcased. The list would include alcohol-detecting sensors and anklet devices. These actually test the alcohol levels in the skin so much so that the ignition on their vehicles would lock up in case they do detect that a driver is drunk. All these innovations and technologies would be presented by researchers, law enforcement officers, and criminal justice people.

If you have been arrested for DUI or DWI, it is obviously cause for concern—but not for despair. By hiring a quality defense lawyer who can protect your rights, there are a host of ways your case may be defendable. That’s why it would be a good idea to consider hiring one of America’s Top DUI and DWI Defense Attorneys now. DUI laws are quite complicated nationwide. A good lawyer is very important to help you in your defense. Good DUI lawyers are specialists in drunk-driving cases. They try only such offenses, and know the courts and the laws well. There is also a National College of DUI Defense where you can search for DUI attorneys. A good DUI lawyer can guarantee you more than just arguments in court. Since DUI laws are complicated, a good attorney can pick holes in the case against you and, with some technical help, he or she can get you out of the charge with a small penalty.

DUI laws also distinguish between drunken driving and recklessness. If the charges are reduced to recklessness, the penalties are much less severe. Another aspect of DUI defense is the DMV hearing. The DUI lawyer will have to represent you in this separately. The DUI trial and DMV hearings are separate, and you might end up with a suspended license from either trials or both. Again, a good DUI attorney is essential for the DMV hearing as well.

A drunk driving conviction is not a matter of life or death in the literal sense, but a DUI conviction or guilty plea will affect your life. The first and most obvious effect on your life by a DUI conviction is the punishment. Depending on whether you are guilty of a misdemeanor offense or a felony DUI offense, you will pay a fine, potentially lose your license to drive, possibly serve some sort of community service, and maybe serve some time in prison. The punishment escalates if you are convicted of a DUI-related offense for the second time within a certain time frame.

You want a very good DUI lawyer representing you no matter what DUI-related charge you are facing for the obvious fact that you could either actually be innocent of the DUI charges, or even if you were in-fact guilty, a good DUI attorney could have the DUI charges against you dismissed by finding flaws in police procedure and handling of the evidence, or also by finding contamination in the blood or breath tests taken. There are many factors that can affect the results of a blood or breath test. A good DUI lawyer on your side will give you your best chance at showing reasonable doubt. A good DUI lawyer will also be aware of the many potential defenses, strategies and tactics that can be used. Remember, you must be found guilty of the DUI-related offense beyond a reasonable doubt to be convicted.

When you are dealing with a DUI arrest, experience counts, particularly when you are looking for a Philadelphia DUI lawyer. Keep in mind that for your first DUI conviction the penalties are serious. But if you have a prior DUI conviction, then the penalties are even worse and could be life altering. That is why you have to carefully choose the right Philadelphia DUI lawyer because he or she can have a significant influence on the outcome of your DUI case.

Unfortunately, many people are at lost in finding the most qualified Philadelphia DUI Lawyer because they lack the experience or simply because they don’t know where to look. So what are the consequences of not finding a Philadelphia DUI Lawyer? Loss of driving license, steep fines, and even jail time are just some of the penalties that you might face. And now isn’t the best time for an incarceration as well. Lately, the jail time for DUI conviction has been dramatically increased. Even if you don’t get jail time, you might be paying fines which have been increased as well. A good Philadelphia DUI Lawyer will help you in this situation.

There are places wherein a DUI conviction would result to a forced forfeiture of your car to the state. Another penalty would be raising your car insurance rates for many years. Thus, finding the right Philadelphia DUI lawyer might save you from this mess. A Philadelphia DUI Lawyer will work towards the best outcome of your case by helping you navigate the court system. An efficient Philadelphia DUI Lawyer will make sure that the conviction itself meets legal standards and can even find ways to minimize mandatory and subjective penalties.

So why hire a Philadelphia DUI lawyer? For one thing, your Philadelphia DUI Lawyer is knowledgeable about the complexities and controversies that surround your case. For instance, an effective Philadelphia DUI Lawyer is well-informed with some health circumstances which may alter the tests used to detect driving under the influence. An experienced Philadelphia DUI Lawyer would know all the important and specialized information vital for your defense which may even get you off the hook.

You may be one of those people who have little experience in choosing the best Philadelphia DUI Lawyer. You could be overwhelmed with so many options in choosing a Philadelphia DUI Lawyer and make poor decisions. This could result to an unnecessarily poor or harsh outcome of your case. Finding an experienced and effective Philadelphia DUI Lawyer is not an easy task. And making rush decisions wouldn’t help your case either. So make sure to do some careful research before choosing a Philadelphia DUI Lawyer.