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DUI Arraignment – The Who, What and Why

Written by David O
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DUI Arraignment – The Who, What and Why

The word “arraignment” sounds intimidating and scary. However, after learning about the who, what, and why of a DUI arraignment, a person should have a better understanding of the arraignment process and feel more at ease.

The Who – Who goes to a DUI arraignment?

  • A person who has been charged with DUI, also called a criminal defendant, will be required to attend the arraignment.
  • The arraignment is held in a court of law in front of a judge.
  • It is likely that the city or state prosecutor will also be present.
  • If a private DUI attorney was hired before the arraignment date, the defendant can expect to have their attorney present.  If a private attorney was not hired than a public defender will be present.
  • Other people may also be in the courtroom during the DUI arraignment.

istock photo downloaded for DUI arraignment blogThe What – What is an arraignment?

  • An arraignment is a criminal defendant’s first formal court hearing.
  • The defendant will be formally told of their charges by the judge or prosecutor.
  • The defense attorney and judge will advise the defendant of their legal rights.

The Why – Why is an arraignment important?

  • During the arraignment the judge will ask how the defendant would like to plead to the DUI charge, guilty or not guilty?
  • The defendant will need to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Next the judge will set conditions of release, which could include; being released on personal recognizance, bail being set, order to install an ignition interlock device, a prohibition against consuming alcohol or drugs (including marijuana), placement of an alcohol detection device on your person, and no driving if the defendant is uninsured or their license is invalid.
  • In most jurisdictions, the defendant can expect to receive a copy of their police report from the prosecutor if a defense attorney is present.
  • And lastly, the defendant can expect to receive their next DUI court date, which is called the pre-trial hearing.

 

The DUI defense attorneys at David O Defense are here to help navigate clients through all steps of the legal process, including the DUI arraignment. If you have been charged with DUI, call our defense lawyers today, 206-459-6392, to schedule a free legal consultation.

 

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Yum! Yum! Attorney David O shares his Family Turkey Recipe

Written by David O
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Yum! Yum! Attorney David O shares his Family Turkey Recipe

The holiday’s are approaching quickly and there is no better time to share family recipes.  If you’re looking for a holiday turkey recipe that makes a moist, flavorful turkey, than my family roast turkey recipe is for you.

One of our new family traditions is to host a “Friendsgiving” a few weeks before Thanksgiving.  It’s the perfect time to reconnect with friends and enjoy great food before the busyness of the holidays hit.  Our Friendsgiving is potluck style and every friend brings a favorite dish, and every year the food has been fantastic. Since we host Friendsgiving at our house, we prepare the roast turkey and here’s how we do it.

 

Attorney David O shares his Family Turkey Recipe

  • Attorney David O - Family Turkey Recipe1 10-12 pound turkey
  • brine
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 2 tbsp. turkey seasonings
  • 6 celery stocks, cleaned and cut in quarters
  • 2 medium onions, peeled and cut in quarters
  • wooden skewer
  • cooking string

 

Step 1.  Clean the Turkey.  Remove the turkey from any packaging.  Next find the turkey neck and giblets that are usually tucked within the turkey cavities, take them out.  You can either discard them, or use the neck and giblets for making gravy or other favorite recipes. Using very cold water, rinse the turkey well, inside and outside.  When rinsing the skin check for any feather pins and remove.

 

Step 2.  Brining the Turkey.  Brining is the process of soaking uncooked poultry or pork in a salted ice water bath for typically 12 to 36 hour.  Brines can be made at home with salt and favorite seasonings and fruits or they can be purchased at a store.  We have three young kids, under the age of seven, so we choose the time-saving route and purchase a brine at the store.  Simply follow the directions on the package and let the brining begin.  The brining process is our secret weapon to ensuring a moist, flavorful turkey.

 

Step 3.  Remove the Turkey from the Brine.  Just before roasting, carefully remove the turkey from the brine and rinse the turkey throughly with cold water removing all the brine and seasoning residue.  Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel.

 

Step 4.  Prepare for Roasting.  For a crisp skin, we like to use small pats of butter under the skin.  With a sharp knife, make small incision pockets all over the skin of the turkey while being careful not to pierce the meat.  After making approximately 8-12 incisions, place the small pats of butter inside each pocket.  Next, using your favorite seasoning blend, generously rub the seasonings onto the turkey.  Make sure to sprinkle some seasonings into the turkey cavity as well.  If you like to fill your turkey with stuffing, this is the time.  If you prefer to cook stuffing separately, like we do, than fill the turkey cavity with cut up celery and onion.

 

Step 5.  Truss the Turkey.  Taking the time to truss a turkey will help the turkey cook more evenly and will prevent burnt wings.  To truss the turkey first pull the neck sin over the turkey back and secure it with a skewer.  Next, tightly cross the two turkey legs and tie with string.  Now tuck the wings under the back of the turkey, this will prevent them from over browning.  Nice work, now it’s time to roast!

 

Step 6.  Roasting.  Place your turkey in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. Cover loosely with foil.  Cook the turkey in a preheated oven at 325°F for 3 1/4 – 3 1/2 hours or until a cooking thermometer registers 180°F in the thickest part of the meat and the juices run clear.  During cooking, be sure to cut the string from the legs at 2 1/2 hours so the drumsticks and thigh cook evenly.  Also remove the foil for the last 45 minutes for a beautiful brown color.

 

Step 7.  Enjoy!  Remove the turkey from the oven and let it sit undisturbed for 15-20 minutes.  Next carve the turkey and arrange slices on a serving platter for all to enjoy.  Yum! Yum!

 

Happy Holidays from our family to yours! – Attorney David O

 

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Defense Attorney, David O, Answers Your DUI Questions and More – Part 2

Written by David O
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Defense Attorney, David O, Answers Your DUI Questions and More – Part 2

Let’s continue with more commonly asked questions by clients.  Want to read Part 1, link here.

 

Frequently Asked DUI Questions and More – Part 2

Q.  I was arrested and charged with a crime, yet I haven’t received a court date in the mail, what does this mean?

A.  There are a few possible answers to this question; 1) The city, county, or state is still processing the charge and your case will be filed at a later date.  Once filed they will mail you your court date.  They have up to 2 years to do this.  2)  The city, county, or state did mail your court date notice but they did not have your current address.  If you miss your first court date, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest.  Make sure the city, county, or state, and the department of licensing has your correct mailing address.

 

Q.  What is an arraignment?

A.  The first appearance in court is called the “arraignment” or  “arraignment hearing.” At this hearing the individual charged with a crime will be formally told of the crime(s) he or she is accused of and will be advised of their rights.  Additionally, the judge will want to hear the individual plead guilty or not guilty. I strongly encourage every client to plead not guilty at the arraignment hearing.

 

Q.  I just found out I have a bench warrant out for my arrest, what do I do?

A.  If you have a bench warrant out for your arrest, you must have missed a court date or failed to comply with court orders.  Contact me right away so I can make a motion to quash your bench warrant.  When a warrant is quashed it means it has been overturned and no longer in effect.  Generally a judge will quash a bench warrant if you have a valid reason for violating the court order.  If you choose to ignore the bench warrant, it will continue to be in effect and at anytime you could be arrested and taken into custody.

 

Q.  Why should I hire David O Defense for legal representation?

A.  I know I am among the top criminal defense lawyers in this state.  What sets me apart from the other top criminal defense attorneys is my focus and attention to my clients as a whole.  I truly care about my clients and their case outcomes.  I will work harder to achieve the best possible outcome.  Additionally, I make myself available to my clients 24/7 by phone, text, or email, and am willing to travel to my clients if needed.  Lastly, we allow for flexible payment plans to be budget friendly.

 

Have more questions, no problem, give me a call or send me an email, I would be happy to answer them 206-459-6392 or david@davidodefense.com.

DUI / Drunk Driving / DWI, Legal Blog, Seattle Defense Attorney, , , , , , , , , , , , ,