Jon Bryant Artz, a noted Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, sat down with Los Angeles PR News to talk about how a DUI can provoke a PR nightmare. It’s one of the most frequently committed crimes, and is a favorite topic for news organizations. How many times have we read long, in depth reporting on a Hollywood starlet driving the wrong way on the 405? It seems to happen every week, and when it happens to celebrities, the damage is pretty easy to repair. However when a high ranking titan of industry gets one, the consequences can be far reaching.
“I’m not sure that people realize quite how public an arrest record is,” said Artz. “Generally speaking, there is not much that can be done to keep someone who really wants to know from finding out exactly what happened.”
Part of a good damage control strategy is to end the crisis as fast as possible. So, in the case of an executive who has received a DUI, a quick legal resolution where appropriate is critical. Next, it’s critical NOT to breathe oxygen on the fire. “No Comment” is appropriate at this juncture. If the arrest still gets a great deal of attention, a public display of contrition is good as long as its sincere.
The bottom line here: If you get arrested, throw water on the fire – if it becomes a story, apologize, and then lie low, maybe even do some community service.
Source
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Los Angeles DUI Attorney Claims Diabetics Often Falsely Convicted of Drunk Driving
- Los Angeles DUI lawyer Lawrence Taylor, known nationally as the "Dean of DUI Attorneys", claims that many citizens accused - and convicted - of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) are actually innocent. Their crime: diabetes.
Taylor, the author of the best-selling legal treatise Drunk Driving Defense, claims that the symptoms of a diabetic with hypoglycemia (low sugar level) resemble those of alcohol intoxication. Further, he claims, diabetics have a chemical in their breath which causes breathalyzers to register high blood-alcohol levels.
The Los Angeles DUI attorney refers to the phenomenon as the "counterfeit DUI".
The symptoms of hypoglycemia are well-known: slow and slurred speech, poor balance, impaired motor control, staggering, drowsiness, flushed face, disorientation - in other words, the classic symptoms of alcohol intoxication. This individual will look and act like a drunk driver to the officer, Taylor says, and will certainly fail any DUI field sobriety tests.
As one medical expert has observed, "Hypoglycemia is frequently seen in connection with driving error on this nation's roads and highways ... Even more frequent are unjustified DUIs or DWIs, stemming from hypoglycemic symptoms that can closely mimic those of a drunk driver." From "Hypoglycemia: Driving Under the Influence" in 8(1) Medical and Toxicological Information Review.
Nor will a DUI breath test clear him, Taylor claims. The Los Angeles DUI lawyer points out that breathalyzers don't actually measure alcohol on the breath. Rather, they use beams of infrared light which are absorbed by any chemical compound in the breath that contains the methyl group in its molecular structure. The machine is programmed to assume that the compound is "probably" alcohol.
Unfortunately, thousands of compounds contain the methyl group and can register as alcohol. One of these is acetone. And a well-documented by-product of hypoglycemia is a state called ketoacidosis, which causes the production of acetones in the breath. In other words, the DUI attorney says, the breathalyzer will read significant blood alcohol levels where there may be little or none. This has been repeatedly documented in scientific studies such as Brick, "Diabetes, Breath Acetone and Breathalyzer Accuracy: A Case Study", 9(1) Alcohol, Drugs and Driving.
How often innocent diabetics falsely convicted of DUI? Taylor points out that roughly one in seven sober drivers on the road suffers from diabetes.
Source
Taylor, the author of the best-selling legal treatise Drunk Driving Defense, claims that the symptoms of a diabetic with hypoglycemia (low sugar level) resemble those of alcohol intoxication. Further, he claims, diabetics have a chemical in their breath which causes breathalyzers to register high blood-alcohol levels.
The Los Angeles DUI attorney refers to the phenomenon as the "counterfeit DUI".
The symptoms of hypoglycemia are well-known: slow and slurred speech, poor balance, impaired motor control, staggering, drowsiness, flushed face, disorientation - in other words, the classic symptoms of alcohol intoxication. This individual will look and act like a drunk driver to the officer, Taylor says, and will certainly fail any DUI field sobriety tests.
As one medical expert has observed, "Hypoglycemia is frequently seen in connection with driving error on this nation's roads and highways ... Even more frequent are unjustified DUIs or DWIs, stemming from hypoglycemic symptoms that can closely mimic those of a drunk driver." From "Hypoglycemia: Driving Under the Influence" in 8(1) Medical and Toxicological Information Review.
Nor will a DUI breath test clear him, Taylor claims. The Los Angeles DUI lawyer points out that breathalyzers don't actually measure alcohol on the breath. Rather, they use beams of infrared light which are absorbed by any chemical compound in the breath that contains the methyl group in its molecular structure. The machine is programmed to assume that the compound is "probably" alcohol.
Unfortunately, thousands of compounds contain the methyl group and can register as alcohol. One of these is acetone. And a well-documented by-product of hypoglycemia is a state called ketoacidosis, which causes the production of acetones in the breath. In other words, the DUI attorney says, the breathalyzer will read significant blood alcohol levels where there may be little or none. This has been repeatedly documented in scientific studies such as Brick, "Diabetes, Breath Acetone and Breathalyzer Accuracy: A Case Study", 9(1) Alcohol, Drugs and Driving.
How often innocent diabetics falsely convicted of DUI? Taylor points out that roughly one in seven sober drivers on the road suffers from diabetes.
Source
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Attorney representing terror suspect getting help
DENVER — The attorney representing a Colorado man at the center of a terror probe into an alleged train bombing plot plans to add lawyers to his team after a judge questioned his federal court experience.
Arthur Folsom, attorney for Najibullah Zazi, has been handling divorces, drunk driving and criminal cases over the past 11 years in Colorado state courts but has never tried a federal case.
Folsom is "taking the appropriate steps to make sure his client gets experienced, seasoned counsel," Wendy Aiello, a spokeswoman for Folsom, said Tuesday.
Though Zazi is charged only with lying to the government, law enforcement officials said he may have been plotting with others to detonate backpack bombs on New York trains.
Zazi and his 53-year-old father, Mohammed Wali Zazi, were arrested Saturday in Denver. Ahmad Wais Afzali, 37, was arrested in New York, where he is an imam at a mosque in Queens.
Folsom's involvement came when Zazi, at the suggestion of an acquaintance, walked into the attorney's office last week, worried that the FBI might want to talk to him, Aiello said.
Authorities say Zazi had been alerted by friends that federal agents and city police had raided their apartments on Sept. 14 and asked about him. Zazi, accompanied by Folsom, voluntarily underwent three days of FBI questioning before he his arrest.
Aiello said Folsom has met with some attorneys and will make an announcement soon.
On Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig Shaffer questioned whether Folsom could represent Zazi in federal court, where rules and procedures are different than in state courts.
"You cannot enter an appearance unless you're a member in good standing in this district court," Shaffer told Folsom.
Folsom replied that he is in good standing but hadn't updated his information.
The court clerk's office said it was unable to immediately find Folsom in its system because he had never had a case there.
"Federal terrorism cases are not for beginners," said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor who teaches at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
Aiello said Folsom has no regrets about how the case has been handled so far.
"Given the situation and the information, Mr. Folsom and his client meeting with the FBI was the correct position," she said.
Folsom faces a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in northern Colorado. Aiello says a guest on a boat was cited for possession and Folsom faces a charge because he owns the boat where the marijuana was found. A pretrial conference is set for Oct. 13.
Source
Arthur Folsom, attorney for Najibullah Zazi, has been handling divorces, drunk driving and criminal cases over the past 11 years in Colorado state courts but has never tried a federal case.
Folsom is "taking the appropriate steps to make sure his client gets experienced, seasoned counsel," Wendy Aiello, a spokeswoman for Folsom, said Tuesday.
Though Zazi is charged only with lying to the government, law enforcement officials said he may have been plotting with others to detonate backpack bombs on New York trains.
Zazi and his 53-year-old father, Mohammed Wali Zazi, were arrested Saturday in Denver. Ahmad Wais Afzali, 37, was arrested in New York, where he is an imam at a mosque in Queens.
Folsom's involvement came when Zazi, at the suggestion of an acquaintance, walked into the attorney's office last week, worried that the FBI might want to talk to him, Aiello said.
Authorities say Zazi had been alerted by friends that federal agents and city police had raided their apartments on Sept. 14 and asked about him. Zazi, accompanied by Folsom, voluntarily underwent three days of FBI questioning before he his arrest.
Aiello said Folsom has met with some attorneys and will make an announcement soon.
On Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig Shaffer questioned whether Folsom could represent Zazi in federal court, where rules and procedures are different than in state courts.
"You cannot enter an appearance unless you're a member in good standing in this district court," Shaffer told Folsom.
Folsom replied that he is in good standing but hadn't updated his information.
The court clerk's office said it was unable to immediately find Folsom in its system because he had never had a case there.
"Federal terrorism cases are not for beginners," said Laurie Levenson, a former federal prosecutor who teaches at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
Aiello said Folsom has no regrets about how the case has been handled so far.
"Given the situation and the information, Mr. Folsom and his client meeting with the FBI was the correct position," she said.
Folsom faces a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in northern Colorado. Aiello says a guest on a boat was cited for possession and Folsom faces a charge because he owns the boat where the marijuana was found. A pretrial conference is set for Oct. 13.
Source
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Riverside County DUI checkpoint nets seven arrests
The checkpoint was established at Hamner Ave. and School Street between the hours of 7 PM and 3 AM. 516 of the 862 drivers who went through the checkpoint were thoroughly screened for DUI, according to police statements. 19 of those drivers showed sufficient reasonable evidence to require a field sobriety test.
The 7 arrests for DUI were only a portion of the 60 citations issued for varying crimes. In addition, 16 vehicles were detained with 10 of those received extended impounds.
These statistics may sound favorable for DUI enforcement in Riverside County. However, upon closer review, it is worth pointing out that only slightly over 2% of the total drivers stopped were even eligible for a field sobriety test. This means the vast majority of officer resources were spent toward stopping drivers with no reason to be stopped.
The checkpoint called itself a joint DUI and driver safety checkpoint, which gives a nod to the other 60 citations issued at the scene. Even taking into account these 60 citations, however, there was still a relatively low incidence of success in imposing penalties for those cars who entered the checkpoint.
Riverside County is part of the Los Angeles urban sprawl, notorious for drunk driving due to the lack of public transit and high amount of travel time from one location to the other. Riverside has also been hit hard by the recession, experiencing home value decline far more rapid and dramatic than the national average. These factors seem to contribute to a higher incidence of both violent and petty crime.
In the case of this particular checkpoint, however, patrols in other areas of the country were more successful in the first weekend of the national campaign, "Over the Limit. Under Arrest."
Source
The 7 arrests for DUI were only a portion of the 60 citations issued for varying crimes. In addition, 16 vehicles were detained with 10 of those received extended impounds.
These statistics may sound favorable for DUI enforcement in Riverside County. However, upon closer review, it is worth pointing out that only slightly over 2% of the total drivers stopped were even eligible for a field sobriety test. This means the vast majority of officer resources were spent toward stopping drivers with no reason to be stopped.
The checkpoint called itself a joint DUI and driver safety checkpoint, which gives a nod to the other 60 citations issued at the scene. Even taking into account these 60 citations, however, there was still a relatively low incidence of success in imposing penalties for those cars who entered the checkpoint.
Riverside County is part of the Los Angeles urban sprawl, notorious for drunk driving due to the lack of public transit and high amount of travel time from one location to the other. Riverside has also been hit hard by the recession, experiencing home value decline far more rapid and dramatic than the national average. These factors seem to contribute to a higher incidence of both violent and petty crime.
In the case of this particular checkpoint, however, patrols in other areas of the country were more successful in the first weekend of the national campaign, "Over the Limit. Under Arrest."
Source
Thursday, October 15, 2009
San Diego DUI Lawyers Note Rise in Female Arrests
LONG BEACH, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego DUI attorneys are noticing a steep increase in the number of women seeking legal representation for DUI arrests throughout San Diego County.
Lawrence Taylor, known as "The Dean of DUI Attorneys" and author of the book Drunk Driving Defense, confirms that "Each San Diego DUI attorney in our firm has observed a steadily rising percentage of female San Diego drunk driving clients in recent years." Taylor, who heads a nationally-known firm of California DUI defense attorneys, reports similar trends reported by his Los Angeles DUI lawyers and Orange County DUI lawyers.
Taylor's experiences are not unique. The FBI recently released evidence of this trend - statistics from 1998-2007 indicating an increase of nearly 29 percent for women driving under the influence of alcohol. This can be compared to a 7.5 percent decrease for men.
Further confirmation comes from a recent DUI fatality study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency looked at the number of female drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes from 2007 to 2008 and found that the female DUI rate increased or remained flat in 15 states, compared to 13 states for male DUI involved fatalities. This is noteworthy, since the overall number of DUI cases decreased 9 percent nationwide. About 2,000 fatalities a year now involve a female driver arrested for DUI.
Source
Lawrence Taylor, known as "The Dean of DUI Attorneys" and author of the book Drunk Driving Defense, confirms that "Each San Diego DUI attorney in our firm has observed a steadily rising percentage of female San Diego drunk driving clients in recent years." Taylor, who heads a nationally-known firm of California DUI defense attorneys, reports similar trends reported by his Los Angeles DUI lawyers and Orange County DUI lawyers.
Taylor's experiences are not unique. The FBI recently released evidence of this trend - statistics from 1998-2007 indicating an increase of nearly 29 percent for women driving under the influence of alcohol. This can be compared to a 7.5 percent decrease for men.
Further confirmation comes from a recent DUI fatality study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency looked at the number of female drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes from 2007 to 2008 and found that the female DUI rate increased or remained flat in 15 states, compared to 13 states for male DUI involved fatalities. This is noteworthy, since the overall number of DUI cases decreased 9 percent nationwide. About 2,000 fatalities a year now involve a female driver arrested for DUI.
Source
Monday, September 28, 2009
Los Angeles drunk driving task force
Los Angeles, CA - This year, the Los Angeles County drunk driving task force will participate in a nationwide crackdown on impaired driving termed "Driving Drunk. Over the Limit. Under Arrest."
The coordinated increased patrol and other efforts will continue through Labor Day weekend. The national program, in which Los Angeles police DUI officers are participating was spearheaded by the United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA is the agency responsible for validating field sobriety testing, drug recognition training and other police officer programs aimed at combating impaired driving.
In Los Angeles, the program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
At the time of publication of this article it was unclear how many Los Angeles area DUI arrests were made over the weekend as a direct result of the program. We will report the numbers when they are available.
Source
The coordinated increased patrol and other efforts will continue through Labor Day weekend. The national program, in which Los Angeles police DUI officers are participating was spearheaded by the United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA is the agency responsible for validating field sobriety testing, drug recognition training and other police officer programs aimed at combating impaired driving.
In Los Angeles, the program is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.
At the time of publication of this article it was unclear how many Los Angeles area DUI arrests were made over the weekend as a direct result of the program. We will report the numbers when they are available.
Source
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Los Angeles DUI radio show
Los Angeles, CA - Did you know that there are 25,000 DUI arrests in the United States every week? That's approximately 1.3 million drunk driving arrests each year. The more people we arrest, and the more people we put in jail, the more apparent it should become that our current approach of fear and retribution is not working.
So what is the solution?
Enter Ken Sharp and Heidi Foglesong, and their groundbreaking daily radio program, Ridin Dirty, which airs weekdays from 11 am to 12 pm on KLAA AM 830 in Los Angeles. One of the major problems with the country's current approach to reducing impaired driving accidents is that we don't talk about the real issues.
Ken and Heidi are changing that.
The show covers current issues and events from around the country.
Ken Sharp started the show in Phoenix, and recently moved it to Los Angeles. For years, according to Sharp, drinking and driving was part of the social norm. After getting two DUIs himself and experiencing first hand the harsh criminal penalties and other life consequences of a DUI arrest, Ken started helping others by facilitating group meetings at Scottsdale Treatment Institute, in Arizona.
Sharp is a realist. Drinking as a social outlet is never going to go away. He advocates more practical solutions like ride sharing. The show accepts calls from listeners, and regularly attracts the participation of prominent DUI lawyers, government representatives and has even picked up a sponsor in Jack Daniels.
Sharp's show has gained national attention, and prior to inauguration, he even interviewed President Obama.
Source
So what is the solution?
Enter Ken Sharp and Heidi Foglesong, and their groundbreaking daily radio program, Ridin Dirty, which airs weekdays from 11 am to 12 pm on KLAA AM 830 in Los Angeles. One of the major problems with the country's current approach to reducing impaired driving accidents is that we don't talk about the real issues.
Ken and Heidi are changing that.
The show covers current issues and events from around the country.
Ken Sharp started the show in Phoenix, and recently moved it to Los Angeles. For years, according to Sharp, drinking and driving was part of the social norm. After getting two DUIs himself and experiencing first hand the harsh criminal penalties and other life consequences of a DUI arrest, Ken started helping others by facilitating group meetings at Scottsdale Treatment Institute, in Arizona.
Sharp is a realist. Drinking as a social outlet is never going to go away. He advocates more practical solutions like ride sharing. The show accepts calls from listeners, and regularly attracts the participation of prominent DUI lawyers, government representatives and has even picked up a sponsor in Jack Daniels.
Sharp's show has gained national attention, and prior to inauguration, he even interviewed President Obama.
Source
Monday, August 10, 2009
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer
There is no place bigger, scarier or less personal to get a DUI than in Los Angeles, California. In fact, based on population, the county processes and prosecutes more people each year for the crime of driving under the influence than any other area in the country.
Los Angeles DUI Attorney Randall Longwith will make you and your case stand out from the crowd. In fact, Mr. Longwith built his firm and his reputation on giving top-notch personal service to each client. He built his practice on the idea that each client be made to feel like he or she is the most important client ever.
He will investigate and prepare your case as if it will go to trial. By doing so, he knows that you stand the best chance of being offered a favorable deal. If you don't like the deal that the state offers, then Randy will be ready to litigate on your behalf to take advantage of the weaknesses he finds in the state's case.
Expect to be informed at every step of your Los Angeles DUI case
When you hire Randall Longwith to represent you, you get his legal expertise and his high-quality advice and advocacy. You also get something rare in the legal industry, a DUI defense lawyer who takes the time to inform you of every new development. He knows that sometimes waiting and not knowing is the hardest part, and he does everything possible to help minimize your stress levels by openly communicating with you about the progress he is making.
Source
Los Angeles DUI Attorney Randall Longwith will make you and your case stand out from the crowd. In fact, Mr. Longwith built his firm and his reputation on giving top-notch personal service to each client. He built his practice on the idea that each client be made to feel like he or she is the most important client ever.
How can Randall Longwith help with your Los Angeles drunk driving charge?
Randy understands that you are going through a very though time in your life, and takes the time to listen to your story, answer your questions and address your fears and goals. He will always give you an honest answer, even if it is not the answer you want to hear because he believes that by putting everything on the table and leaving nothing to chance, you will get the best result possible.He will investigate and prepare your case as if it will go to trial. By doing so, he knows that you stand the best chance of being offered a favorable deal. If you don't like the deal that the state offers, then Randy will be ready to litigate on your behalf to take advantage of the weaknesses he finds in the state's case.
Expect to be informed at every step of your Los Angeles DUI case
When you hire Randall Longwith to represent you, you get his legal expertise and his high-quality advice and advocacy. You also get something rare in the legal industry, a DUI defense lawyer who takes the time to inform you of every new development. He knows that sometimes waiting and not knowing is the hardest part, and he does everything possible to help minimize your stress levels by openly communicating with you about the progress he is making.National reputation and dedicated client base
Mr. Longwith enjoys a national reputation. Although he is modest and certainly doesn't shout the loudest of the hundreds of DUI lawyers in Southern California, he has been interviewed by the national media and has handled high profile and very serious cases. In his decade plus of legal experience, Randy has proved himself to be a worthy advocate for the accused, and a criminal defense lawyer often recommended to people by friends, family members, fellow attorneys and others who know who is who in the industry.Source
Monday, July 20, 2009
Arrested for Drunk Driving in Los Angeles?
Getting a DUI in Los Angeles, California can be a very scary event. Taking your LA DUI or drunk driving case through the court process can be even more intimidating. You will be in need of a Los Angeles DUI Attorney who knows the California DUI laws. As experienced DUI lawyers in Los Angeles County, Neil Shouse and Associates know the ins and outs of the California DUI system well and can guide you through it step-by-step. If you have been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles County or any other drunk driving offense, you need a great team of attorneys in the Los Angeles County area that know the law well. Mr. Shouse and Associates are experienced DUI attorneys in Los Angeles County to handle your drunk driving defense case. If you would like DUI Attorney Neil Shouse to provide you with a free consultation and evaluation of your Los Angeles DUI case, please call 1-888-327-4652 or complete the Free Los Angeles DUI Consultation form to the left.
Being arrested for a LA DUI can be very costly. A Los Angeles DUI arrest can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, license suspension and even jail time. Making the right decision when choosing from the DUI lawyers in Los Angeles County for your defense can mean the difference in thousands of dollars saved and / or time spent in jail. Make sure to choose a Los Angeles DUI lawyer with a proven track record and a team of qualified people who work for you. Please call 1-888-327-4652 for a free no obligation consultation or complete the Free Los Angeles DUI Consultation form to the left.
Before entering private practice as a Los Angeles DUI Attorney, Mr. Shouse was a litigator for several of the country's highly ranked law firms including the international law firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood. Mr. Shouse has represented high profile corporations such as Microsoft Corporation, AT&T, KPMG, Metropolitan Life and Western Union.
Source
Handling a LA DUI Case in the California Court System
After you have been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles County, you will have many court appearances along with the California DMV proceedings. This is another reason to hire a qualified team of California DUI attorneys in Los Angeles county. There is a first appearance, or arraignment, and many subsequent appearances, or pretrial's, that will be scheduled. These court dates are crucial to your LA DUI drunk driving defense. An experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer will use these appearances to get valuable information regarding your Los Angeles DUI arrest. Hiring Mr. Shouse and his law firm to represent you at these appearances will ensure that you have a drunk driving defense team of people working towards the most favorable outcome of your LA DUI case.Defending people arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles County
Mr. Shouse and his team have successfully handled hundreds of Los Angeles, California drunk driving cases. He has over a 96% success rate when taking these California DUI cases to trial. Mr. Shouse and his team strive to offer the most aggressive DUI defense to those arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, CA. Members of his DUI defense team are former California DUI prosecutors, with experience on the other side of a LA DUI system. There are full time investigators with decades of experience working for local police departments. Many on the team of DUI lawyers are bilingual as well.Being arrested for a LA DUI can be very costly. A Los Angeles DUI arrest can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, license suspension and even jail time. Making the right decision when choosing from the DUI lawyers in Los Angeles County for your defense can mean the difference in thousands of dollars saved and / or time spent in jail. Make sure to choose a Los Angeles DUI lawyer with a proven track record and a team of qualified people who work for you. Please call 1-888-327-4652 for a free no obligation consultation or complete the Free Los Angeles DUI Consultation form to the left.
California DMV Proceedings after a LA DUI Arrest
If you are looking for a LA DUI defense lawyer, chances are you have already been arrested for a California DUI or another drunk driving offense. Now you must figure out how to handle your Los Angeles DUI defense case in a court of law. When you are arrested for DUI in Los Angeles County, CA the officer usually takes your drivers license and issues you a temporary license that is only good for 30 days. This is where the California DMV proceedings begin. You only have 10 days to contest the suspension of your drivers license. It is important to hire an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer, such as Neil Shouse and his associates, who knows how to navigate these important dates and CA DMV proceedings.About Los Angeles DUI Attorney Neil Shouse
Neil Shouse is a honors graduate from the University of California Berkley and Harvard Law School. While Mr. Shouse was a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, he prosecuted over sixty criminal trials and over a thousand evidentiary hearings. His caseload ranged from Los Angeles DUI prosecution to complex, high-profile murders. During his five years at the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, Mr. Shouse earned a reputation of being one of the toughest and most successful trial prosecutors. He also worked closely with the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and California Highway Patrol.Before entering private practice as a Los Angeles DUI Attorney, Mr. Shouse was a litigator for several of the country's highly ranked law firms including the international law firm Sidley Austin Brown & Wood. Mr. Shouse has represented high profile corporations such as Microsoft Corporation, AT&T, KPMG, Metropolitan Life and Western Union.
Source
Monday, July 13, 2009
July 4th liability insurance issues for Los Angeles home and boat owners
July 4th presents serious liability insurance issues for Los Angeles home and boat owners. Planning a July 4th celebration near Los Angeles? Here are many reasons it would be smartest to take your guests to see one of the many professional fireworks shows in Los Angeles County.
You may be assigned at least a percentage of the liability for any injuries or other damages that take place on or near your property as a result of your July 4th festivities. You may be held financially accountable.
This is absolutely true if you own a dog or if your property has a swimming pool. Less obvious is your liability risk for July 4th fireworks that your guests let off on or near your property. If it is your property, then it is your responsibility to make sure all activities are done safely and legally. Each individual municipality in Los Angeles County and in the surrounding counties has its own regulations on individually let fireworks. Make sure any fireworks on or around your property are legal. Use extreme caution even if individual fireworks are legal in your municipality. Los Angeles is very dry, and fire danger is extreme.
If using fireworks near Los Angeles:
1) Make sure the fireworks are legal in your municipality.
2) Use extreme caution to protect lives.
3) Get liability insurance.
Contact your insurer and make certain you are covered for any injuries or other damage fireworks might cause.
If you serve alcohol or other drugs and your guests get in a car accident, fight, speed contest, or other dangerous incident at or after leaving your July 4th party, then you may be assigned at least a percentage of the liability for any injuries or other damages that result. You may be held financially accountable. This is especially true if you serve alcohol or other drugs to minors under the legal California drinking age of twenty one.
"If it's your boat, then it's your responsibility."
July 4th is one of the busiest days on Lake Havasu and other waterways near Los Angeles. Crowded conditions are dangerous, especially for water skiers. Just like you hear it in the California Department of Boating and Waterways commercials, "If it's your boat, then it's your responsibility." What you may not realize is, they mean it. It is your legal responsibility to make certain that everyone on and around your boat is safe. You have liability for any injuries or other damage that happen as a direct result of anyone's use of your boat. You will be held financially accountable. Also, in California driving a boat while intoxicated is considered "Driving Under the Influence" (DUI) just like driving a car while intoxicated. Don't do it.
Source
You may be assigned at least a percentage of the liability for any injuries or other damages that take place on or near your property as a result of your July 4th festivities. You may be held financially accountable.
This is absolutely true if you own a dog or if your property has a swimming pool. Less obvious is your liability risk for July 4th fireworks that your guests let off on or near your property. If it is your property, then it is your responsibility to make sure all activities are done safely and legally. Each individual municipality in Los Angeles County and in the surrounding counties has its own regulations on individually let fireworks. Make sure any fireworks on or around your property are legal. Use extreme caution even if individual fireworks are legal in your municipality. Los Angeles is very dry, and fire danger is extreme.
If using fireworks near Los Angeles:
1) Make sure the fireworks are legal in your municipality.
2) Use extreme caution to protect lives.
3) Get liability insurance.
Contact your insurer and make certain you are covered for any injuries or other damage fireworks might cause.
If you serve alcohol or other drugs and your guests get in a car accident, fight, speed contest, or other dangerous incident at or after leaving your July 4th party, then you may be assigned at least a percentage of the liability for any injuries or other damages that result. You may be held financially accountable. This is especially true if you serve alcohol or other drugs to minors under the legal California drinking age of twenty one.
"If it's your boat, then it's your responsibility."
July 4th is one of the busiest days on Lake Havasu and other waterways near Los Angeles. Crowded conditions are dangerous, especially for water skiers. Just like you hear it in the California Department of Boating and Waterways commercials, "If it's your boat, then it's your responsibility." What you may not realize is, they mean it. It is your legal responsibility to make certain that everyone on and around your boat is safe. You have liability for any injuries or other damage that happen as a direct result of anyone's use of your boat. You will be held financially accountable. Also, in California driving a boat while intoxicated is considered "Driving Under the Influence" (DUI) just like driving a car while intoxicated. Don't do it.
Source
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