Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
This Saturday, Palm Beach County police released news that former U.S. Representative Tim Mahoney is facing DUI charges after being found asleep behind the wheel the night before. DUI cases, whether they involve a famous figure or not, always attract the interest of Florida criminal defense attorneys. Police have reported that Mahoney has reportedly been released from the Palm Beach County Jail on his own recognizance. Penalties for driving under the influence have grown increasingly harsh in recent years, and years of experience as a Miami criminal defense attorney have led me to understand that individuals facing such charges are in need of competent legal protection.
A Democrat from Palm Beach Gardens, Mahoney was found asleep inside his car sometime between 2:45 and 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Capt. Bill Brandt, a spokesman for the Palm Beach Gardens Police, reported that a North Palm Beach police officer found Mahoney inside his car which was stopped on the road at the corner of PGA Boulevard and U.S. 1. Criminal defense lawyers, for whom working with DUI cases is a regular occurrence, understand that a high level of societal scorn and ill-will is targeted at those convicted. For this reason, it is crucial that individuals such as Congressman Mahoney employ a seasoned criminal defense attorney for their defense.
The intersection where Mahoney was found is located on the border of jurisdictions, requiring the officer who discovered Mahoney to call in the Palm Beach Gardens Police. It was they who conducted the investigation and made the arrest.
When questioned by the press on Saturday afternoon, Mahoney said he had “no comment” about his arrest. Mahoney represented Florida’s 16th district for one term after he was elected to the seat once held by former Congressman Mark Foley. Foley had resigned after a sexual misconduct scandal, and (ironically) Mahoney himself resigned after admitting to multiple affairs. When I read about these types of acts of human frailty I don’t gloat or feel self-righteous. I just feel sad that someone’s life is so out of control that they would throw away a rich career, a good marriage, and a life most people only dream of having on ridiculously simple and short-lived pleasures.
Experience working as Miami criminal defense lawyer has led me to look at all angles of a case. It is important to consider the possible factors in Mahoney’s personal life that led to such a serious error in judgment. The responsibility of his criminal defense attorney will be to present a comprehensive defense, given all the data involved.