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July 7th, 2011

Man Charged With DUI After Crashing Into July 4th Cook-Out

A man is arrested after police say he crashed into a cook-out in Lakeland.

Investigators say this man 65 year old Freddy G. crashed into tables and coolers last night around 8:00 in a lot at the intersection of Washington and 10th streets.

About 100 people gathered there to celebrate July 4th. Darryl M. told police he was clipped by the truck. He went to the hospital. Freddy is charged with driving without a license and DUI refusal.

If you’ve too been charged with DUI in Lakeland, the evidence against you might not be as strong as you think. To discuss matters of this nature, contact a Polk County DUI defense lawyer at our firm today.

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June 15th, 2011

Lakeland MADD Leader Came at ‘Needy Time’

Like so many mothers behind the four-letter acronym MADD, Jan C. lost a child to drunken driving.

Janna C., the younger of her two daughters, was just 26 in October 2001 when the car she was riding in veered off Interstate 4 near the Osceola County line after a night of partying in Orlando.

Janna died after being thrown from a Jeep Grand Cherokee that flipped over and over, ejecting one other occupant. He and the driver, who wore a seat belt, survived, Jan said.

She said both men had been drinking, but an autopsy showed that there was no alcohol in Janna’s system.

Why didn’t Janna take the wheel that night?
Continue reading “Lakeland MADD Leader Came at ‘Needy Time’” »

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June 9th, 2011

Lakeland Man Charged WIth DUI Manslaughter

A Lakeland man has been charged with DUI manslaughter after blood test results showed he had drugs and alcohol in his system when his sport utility vehicle crashed into a tree last year and one of his passengers died, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said today.

Nicholas B., 26, of Kathryn Avenue in Lakeland, tested positive for alcohol, marijuana and ecstasy, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

He was booked into the Polk County Jail on Friday and released Saturday on $10,000 bail.
Continue reading “Lakeland Man Charged WIth DUI Manslaughter” »

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April 13th, 2011

Lakeland Woman Charged With DUI Manslaughter

A Lakeland woman has been charged with DUI manslaughter in an October crash that killed an 84-year-old woman.

Jane Doe, 40, was arrested Monday and was booked into the Polk County Jail after test results from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement showed her blood alcohol level was 0.159 percent after the Oct. 11 crash that killed Margaret Shaughnessy, the Polk Sheriff’s Office said.

Doe was driving a 2000 Ford Explorer west on Lake Hatchineha Road near Lake Hamilton and crossed over the double yellow line as it approached Detour Road, deputies said. She collided with Shaughnessy’s 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis.

Doe was critically injured in the crash, according to reports at the time.

If you’ve also been charged with DUI manslaughter or a lesser drunk driving offense in Polk County, it’s very important you quickly contact an attorney to defend you. For a free consultation with a Lakeland DUI attorney at Musca Law, call 863-512-5269 now.

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February 18th, 2011

David Cassidy Takes Plea in DUI Case

Former “Partridge Family” star David Cassidy will not go to jail for his November DUI arrest in Florida, but will lose his driving privileges for six months.

A plea of no contest will be entered in a Fort Pierce, Fla. courtroom Wednesday, reports TMZ.

The 60-year-old actor, who is set to star in the next installment of Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” in March, will also agree to a one-year probation and 50 hours of community service.

Florida Highway Patrol have released the Nov. 3 arrest, which shows a cooperative Cassidy is shown following police instructions during a field sobriety test.

But when the singer is being arrested, Cassidy is heard complaining “as a guy who’s supported you guys over the years…,” until the trooper interrupts, saying, “It doesn’t make a difference who you support.” Cassidy responds, “I know … it doesn’t.”

The former teen idol was arrested after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper reported seeing Cassidy’s white 2008 Mercedes weaving in southbound traffic on the Florida Turnpike.

Cassidy is best known for his role as Keith Partridge on the 1970s television show “The Patridge Family.”

If you’re facing DUI charges of your own, you should immediately consult with an attorney about your options. There are usually unique circumstances in DUI cases that need to be investigated accordingly.

To find out how you may be able to beat your DUI charge, contact a Lakeland DUI lawyer at our firm today. Free legal consultation available.

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January 29th, 2011

How Much Do You Know About DUI in Lakeland? Take The Quiz and Find Out!

Answer the following eight questions to see how much you know about DUI arrests in Lakeland, FL.

1. How important is it, if you are arrested for a DUI in Lakeland, FL, that you were actually the driver?

a. Very important

b. Not very important

c. Not important at all

2. It does not matter if a police officer has probable cause for stopping you.

a. True

b. False

c. Don’t Know

3. It does not matter if your Miranda rights are read to you during your DUI arrest in Lakeland, FL.

a. True

b. False

c. Don’t Know

4. The police officer does not have to warn you about the consequences of failing to take sobriety tests or breathalyzer tests.

a. True

b. False

c. Don’t Know

Finnish taking the Lakeland DUI quiz here.

If you, or a family member, have been charged with a drunk driving DUI offense in the Lakeland, Florida area, you want our experienced and aggressive DUI defense representation on your side. Your freedom is too important to trust to inexperienced drunk driving attorneys.

CALL US NOW AT (863) 512-5269

Lakeland DUI Lawyer

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January 7th, 2011

Lakeland Cyclist Killed, DUI Uncertain

The scene started when an erratic driver wouldn’t stop.

Lt. Bill Nichols with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said, “[The driver] was changing traffic in and out, she was speeding up, slowing down.”

On the same stretch of road, southbound on US 98, deputies say the  68-year-old victim was riding his bike with the flow of traffic.

Around 3:00 p.m., the driver hit the victim, killing him instantly.

“She then left the bicyclist, then in about 200 yards she struck another vehicle. Then, trying to get away from that driver, she then struck a second vehicle,” said Nichols.

Based on preliminary information, deputies say they believe the driver was impaired. In fact, they say they found numerous prescription pills in her purse in the car.

It turns out the driver, 54, of Lakeland has been charged with DUI before.

Impaired or not, resident Bryan Fall says, these roads are dangerous. “If you ain’t wearing something reflective or you ain’t got lights, you’re gonna end up getting hit.”

Fall’s family knows he rides the same route as the victim and they were worried Monday afternoon. “They rode by and seen it and they wanted to make sure it wasn’t me.”

Instead, it was the victim. When his wife, Sally, came to the crime scene, she crumpled to the ground with grief.

It is for families like the the victim’s that Fall wants drivers to start paying attention and brake for bicyclists.

The driver of one of the cars the suspect hit helped to detain her until deputies arrived.

The suspect is charged with attempting to leave the scene of a crash with death.

Vehicular homicide charges are pending the results of toxicology tests.

RIP – Lakeland DUI Lawyers

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September 29th, 2010

Woman Accepts Deal in DUI Death

A 33-year-old woman accepted a plea deal Friday for causing a fatal crash last year near Lakeland.

Defendant, of Dover, pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter in exchange for 10 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 25.
Polk County DUI Lawyers
The crash took place about 10:20 p.m. on March 8, 2009, at State Road 33 and Old Polk City Road.

The defendant was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on Old Polk City Road. She failed to stop at a stop sign and her truck struck a 2007 Hyundai Elantra driven by a man of Lakeland, who died at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Testing showed the defendant had a blood-alcohol level of about .205 percent. Under Florida law, a driver is presumed to be intoxicated at 0.08 percent.

Have you been charged with DUI in Lakeland, Bartow or elsewhere in Polk County, FL? If so, you have little time to waste. What I mean is that unless you promptly contact a Lakeland DUI lawyer, the odds of beating the charge will be very slim. To learn more contact a Polk County DUI lawyer at our firm for your free and confidential consultation.

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September 12th, 2010

Experienced Lakeland, FL Criminal Defense Attorneys

With over 100 years of collective legal experience and a thorough dedication to providing exceptional legal service, the attorneys at Musca Law are able to secure outstanding results in a variety of types of criminal cases. While particular case results will vary depending upon the unique case, some of the types of cases we have handled include: theft crimes, DUI, drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, juvenile crimes and much more. A Polk County criminal defense lawyer  at our firm can meet with you during your free initial consultation to discuss your legal matter with you and how we can assist you.

It may not matter that the prosecution has physical evidence that ties you to the scene. It may not matter that there is a witness willing to testify against you. By working with an experienced Polk County criminal defense attorney you have the opportunity to fight back. Your attorney can conduct an independent investigation to determine whether there is evidence in your favor, can work with experts in specific fields to prove where law enforcement or the prosecution may be wrong, and can examine and cross-examine witnesses in order to question the validity of the prosecution’s case or to strengthen your defense. All in all, every action that your Polk County criminal defense lawyer takes will be to forward your interests and help you avoid a conviction and therefore serious criminal penalties.

We welcome you to contact a Polk County criminal defense attorney at our firm as soon as possible, as our early intervention can improve the results we are able to achieve.

Contact a Lakeland DUI attorney at our firm today for your free consultation. If anyone can make it happen, we can.

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August 12th, 2010

Florida DUI: The Necessity Defense

There are many types of defenses that can be used in a driving under the influence (DUI) trial, but today I want to go over the necessity defense. Basically what the defense means is that the accused driver had to drive to avoid more serious harm. While this defense is rarely used, it goes to show you that no DUI case is open and shut.

Lakeland DUI Lawyer

To be able to use the necessity defense one must show five circumstances were true. They are:

1. The driver believed for good reason they had to drive drunk to avoid injury or death.
2. The driver did not cause the #1 intentionally or by acting dangerously.
3. The driver had no other way to avoid serious harm other then by driving under the influence.
4. The driver was avoiding harm that was more serious then the harm caused by a DUI.
5. The driver immediately ceased to drive when the threat they were initially avoiding was no more

As long as they above 5 things are true the necessity defense may be an option in your DUI case. Whether you were rushing to the hospital after being stabbed, your home was broken into by armed criminals who you were fleeing, you had to get an insulin shot for your diabetes to avoid death, etc. the necessity defense may help you avoid a DUI conviction. As I said above this defense is rarely used, but it is just one of many weapons any good Florida DUI lawyer keeps in their arsenal.

If you have recently been charged with drunk driving or a different type of criminal offense in Bartow, Lakeland or elsewhere in Polk County, FL we can assist. Whether we use the necessity defense or one of the many other defense our attorneys have experience implementing, you are sure to be pleased with the results we can achieve for you. It’s not that we can guarantee we can help you avoid being convicted, but in such a case where we can’t we can help minimize the penalties you must suffer via plea bargain. However, with our track record I wouldn’t advice betting against us.

If you are serious about beating your Polk County DUI or related criminal offense contact a Lakeland DUI attorney at our firm for a free and confidential consultation now. We do ask you do this promptly, as our early intervention can make your case.

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