The Supreme Court of Georgia has just made an interesting ruling in the area of DUI. When someone refuses to take a preliminary breath test offered by police, that refusal cannot be used against them in the DUI trial. The justices reasoned that using a refusal against...
Standing Up For You With Skilled Advocacy
Month: February 2019
An exploding e-cigarette claims another life
A study by Tobacco Control found over 2,000 instances of e-cigarettes, also known as vape pens, exploding and causing burn injuries between 2015 and 2017. The injuries are often severe, as vape pens are used by mouth and typically stored in the user's pocket. The U.S....
Is the EPA violating the law by not requiring asbestos reporting?
"There is overwhelming consensus in the scientific community that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos," reads a lawsuit recently filed by several public health groups.That's true. Asbestos was once in use throughout the American economy, although there was...
Can the keto diet trick a breathalyzer into a false positive?
A DUI case in Texas was recently dismissed. The defendant performed well on a field sobriety test, but the police breathalyzer pegged him at well above the limit. According to his defense attorney, the reason was completely innocent: he was on the keto diet, and it...
What are Tennessee’s motorcycle safety requirements?
Tennessee motorcyclists and those visiting from other states can enjoy our scenic highways and the wind at their back. While riding through the Volunteer State, motorcyclists should know the safety requirements. In Tennessee, anyone on a motorcycle must wear a helmet....
Child passenger safety: an FAQ for Tennessee parents
It's a remarkable feeling, bringing your child home for the first time. Whether the drive is from the hospital or an adoption agency, you know you've been entrusted with a tremendous responsibility, not only now but for years to come.You've probably already purchased...
Police ask Google to disable Waze feature revealing DUI checkpoints
What good are DUI checkpoints if people can find out in advance where they are? Surely, if the Google Waze app points out where the checkpoints are, drunk drivers will use the app simply to avoid them, right? That's the argument being made by the New York Police...
Can sobriety be subjective?
Between movies, friends and firsthand experiences, there is an image in your head when you think about field sobriety tests. For many, it is probably the image of someone trying to walk heel-to-toe down a straight line.Officers perform field sobriety tests to...
Are doctors replacing opioids with dangerous benzodiazepines?
Most of the country knows about the opioid epidemic and its tragic costs. Unfortunately, there appears to be another prescription drug crisis involving a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs, traditionally prescribed for anxiety, insomnia or seizures,...
Can immigrants be deported over DUI offenses?
Since a first-offense DUI is a misdemeanor in Tennessee and elsewhere, it may surprise you to learn that some DUI offenses can have immigration consequences. Generally, a misdemeanor DUI conviction does not result in deportation, but multiple misdemeanor DUI...