Skip to main content

Justin Bieber’s DUI Attorney Is Doing His Job

Justin Bieber’s DUI Attorney Is Doing His Job

The Biebes has been plastered all over media for his recent DUI of alcohol and drugs arrest.  It happened back in January when Justin Bieber, pop music icon and teen heart-throb, and his buddy rap artist, Kahlil, decided to drag race their luxury cars outside of a Miami night club.  Local cops observed the race and pulled Bieber and Kahlil over and arrested them both.  Bieber was taken to the police station and charged with DUI, drag racing, resisting arrest without violence (Beibes dropped a lot of F-bombs on the officers), and driving on an expired driver’s license.

Bieber posted $2500.00 in bail, a measly drop in the bucket for the super songster, and got the heck out of jail. Later he decided to hire Miami DUI and criminal defense attorney Roy Black to defend his DUI case.  Ding Ding, does the name Roy Black ring a bell to all Bravo and Real Housewives of Miami mega fans?… It must, Roy Black is the husband to Real House Wife Lea Black… The Miami A-listers that live in the newly redecorated huge mansion… Ah yes now we know who Roy Black is.  Attorney Black has a reputation for representing high-profile clients of which have included; Kelsey Grammar, Rush Limbaugh, and Joe Francis (Girls Gone Wild creator).

Fast forward to today, DUI defense attorney Roy Black has already poked holes into Bieber’s DUI case, by finding errors and legal issues.  Black believes there are some significant issues with the arresting officer, Steven Cosner.  For starters, it appears Cosner’s police report includes details that have been exaggerated to make Bieber appear less favorable.  For instance, officer Cosner’s report describes Bieber and Kahlil were racing at speeds between 55-60 miles per hour, yet, a GPS tracking system indicated the top speed of the two cars was at a much slower pace of 44 miles per hour.  Additionally, Cosner’s report describes J.B. as reeking of alcohol in his car, however, Bieber blew a low .014 into the breathalyzer machine at the police station, an individual would not “reek of alcohol” at this low BAC level.  Fluff and exaggeration!

Black has also found some defense ammo in the fact that officer Steven Cosner has credibility issues.  An extensive history of credibility issues in fact, which includes 15 counts of misconduct between the years of 2001 and 2012.  Five of those counts of misconduct were acquired by not showing up to court when ordered to do so.  Black speculates officer Cosner may not have shown up to court intentionally, to avoid being placed under oath, and being forced to explain police report exaggerations, like he has done with Bieber’s report.  Cosner knows that if he doesn’t tell the truth while under oath, he could be prosecuted for perjury, and potentially lose his job.  Cosner’s other counts of misconduct include; violating the rules of courtesy and respect, off duty/secondary employment, unlawful compensation, offensive conduct/language, and sleeping on duty.

The prosecution may want to think twice before putting officer Cosner on the stand if Bieber’s DUI case goes to trial, defense attorney Black will be prepared to discredit him.  And that is the job of a talented DUI defense attorney…  to find issues and errors with a case, and then to be fully prepared to present those issues to the prosecutors and in trial if necessary.

 

Written by S.O

 

 

Prescription Drug DUI for Actor Chris Kattan

Prescription Drug DUI for Actor Chris Kattan

Monday mornings can be lame, knowing the entire work week lies ahead.  This past monday morning was especially bad for actor Chris Kattan…15 hour red-eye flight home, crashing his car into a DOT vehicle on the freeway, failing DUI field tests, and then being arrested for DUI.  Bad monday!

California highway patrol officers reported they received a call from a source that saw Kattan’s Mercedes swerving across lanes on highway 101.  Moments later, Kattan crashed into a Department of Transportation vehicle that was coned in on the side of the freeway.  Luckily Kattan didn’t hit any of the DOT crewmen working on the freeway and nobody was inside the parked vehicle.

Chris Kattan, well-known for his skits on Saturday Night Live, admitted to law enforcement that he had taken prescription drugs and it had affected his driving, alcohol was not involved!  The Highway Patrol still required Kattan to perform the DUI (driving under the influence) field sobriety tests, of which he failed.  Kattan was quite surprised saying I thought I “passed all the tests.”   Kattan was arrested and charged with DUI of drugs.  Washington State and the State California have the same outlook on DUIs; a charge of DUI of drugs is considered the same offense as DUI of alcohol, penalties remain the same.

Being arrested and charged with a crime can cause a whirl wind of emotions; fear, frustration, humiliation, anger, etc.  Kattan was obviously wrapped up in emotion when he recently tweeted to media, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all.”

Bad monday… good luck with the rest of your week, Chris Kattan, be sure to contact a knowledgeable, experienced DUI attorney, it will take a lot of weight off your shoulders.  Here in Washington State, contact Senior Criminal Defense Attorney, David O, if you have received a drug or alcohol related DUI charge or have been in a DUI related accident, 206-459-6392.

 

Written by S.O

“DUI Policy Day” – For Lawmakers in Olympia

“DUI Policy Day” – For Lawmakers in Olympia

This past Tuesday, lawmakers in Olympia Washington had an unofficial “DUI Policy Day” to review and discuss House Bills 2344, 2506, 2507,  2503,and 2728.  The bills will provide clarity to unclear current DUI laws and will also stiffen penalties for repeat DUI offenders.

House Judiciary Committee chairman, Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland lead the discussion on bills.  Bill 2344 became a fiery debate.  2344 would require the Department of Licensing to mail out reminders of installation of an ignition interlock device to individuals who have been convicted of a DUI.  The ignition interlock device prevents drunk driving by requiring the driver to blow into a breathalyzer before their car will start.  Additionally, the bill stated that if an individual bought a new car to circumvent placing an ignition interlock device into their car they would be charged with a gross misdemeanor.  Republican Chad Magendanz, supporter and sponsor of Bill 2344, said it’s “absolutely clear,” this bill will prevent accidents and will detour individuals from buying a new car to escape placement of an ignition interlock device into their current car.  DUI defense attorneys and other opponents of 2344 exclaimed the bill was vague and way too costly at a projected 6 million to print and send ignition interlock reminders.  Goodman stated the cost “might put the bill in jeopardy.”

Bill 2506 requires Class C DUI felonies to be upgraded to Class B felonies.  The change in class would not increase sentencing ranges but would enhance post prison supervision on individuals that have an extensive criminal history.  Amy Freidheim, a King County prosecutor, said  this bill would only affect about a half-dozen people in King County over the past seven years.  Thus, bill 2506 would change post-jail conditions for approximately one person in King County each year.

Bill 2507 enhances penalties for individuals that have committed at least two DUI related vehicular homicides.  For the very very small number of individuals that fall into this category, they would have substantial increased jail time.

Bills 2503 and 2728 are primary technical changes, including or excluding wording.  However, the bills do include the ability for law enforcement to conduct blood draws from individuals that contest taking the alcohol breath tests.  Law enforcement would no longer require a warrant for the blood draw.

In addition to these 5 bills, Roger Goodman brought up several other DUI crack down ideas which included random DUI checkpoints.  Most of the ideas were quickly thrown out due to cost or overall ineffectiveness.  Marijuana DUI discussions were also heard.  Activists were voicing their disagreement with I-502 making it a crime to drive with five nanograms of THC (the active component in marijuana) in an individuals blood stream.  Their thoughts were five nanaograms was too low of a limit and that many law-abiding medical marijuana users have more than that in their bloodstreams and still physically and mentally function at levels safe enough to operate a car.

 

Written by S.O