Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
Maria De Jesus Hughes of San Mateo chose an unfortunate spot to take a nap. Officers noticed her truck when they observed the light at which she was stopped turning from green to red and back again. Then the truck began to drift. Slowly, the truck entered the intersection at Highway 92 and Main Street.
The officers on the scene followed Hughes, shouting at her through a bullhorn to wake up in hopes of rousing the sleeping driver. He also turned on his siren in hopes that the loud noise would snap Hughes to attention. Though the noise made by the officer didn’t wake Hughes right away, it did succeed in keeping the intersection clear. Thankfully, accident was avoided.
When the officer finally managed to wake Hughes, she was pulled over. Not only was she sleeping, but she was also intoxicated.
The investigation into this case is not complete, so charges have not been made. Still, it is wise to take a lesson from the story of Hughes. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or DUI, is a risky and reckless act. Luckily the officer on the scene was able to clear the intersection to avoid accident, but DUI can frequently lead to serious injury and death.
If you are charged with a DUI, don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll get off easily. Officers of the court take a zero tolerance attitude towards DUI, which causes many deaths and injuries every year. It may be tempting to think that, if it is your first offense, the punishment will be light; but once you have been convicted of a crime, it is on your record for life. Imagine, every bank, every prospective employer, every licensing department will see the letters DUI stamped across your records. For life.
Criminal defense attorneys specialize in these kinds of cases. Take advantage of their legal expertise to ensure that your rights are represented. Skilled defense attorneys know how to navigate the legal system to insure the best possible outcome for your legal case.