A judge recently ruled that the man charged with DUI manslaughter in a crash that killed a Miami Heat dancer must stay in the country permanently, NBC Miami reports.
DUI manslaughter in Fort Lauderdale is a major felony charge because it deals with the death of another person the accused was operating a vehicle.
Our Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyers have used our experience to defend many DUI cases, including those involving deaths. Often, these are the most emotional cases and it is important that jurors, judges and prosecutors make decisions based on the facts and the law and not emotion.
It is often the job of an experienced lawyer to present the facts in a case and ensure that a trial stays on track and isn't derailed by anything but the evidence. A defendant requires a fair trial, every time, without fail.
A 43-year-old man was charged in September 2010 after his car collided with a woman's motorcycle, ridden by a 22-year-old Miami Heat dancer.
The man recently requested permission to travel to Mexico City on behalf of his Fort Lauderdale insurance brokerage firm. But a judge ruled that he is not allowed to leave the country, even for business purposes.
Police say the man swerved into her lane, killing her. The man allegedly told police he had two vodka drinks while he was out before the crash. The woman died at the seen.
There are a few lessons that should be taken from this situation. The first is that accidents happen. People get into vehicle accidents on a daily basis and often they are the result of poor driving habits, including being distracted -- talking or texting on the phone, trying to eat and drive, apply makeup or change the radio station.
Sometimes, they are blinded by oncoming headlights or have a vehicle malfunction that causes a crash. Often, a medical problem can be the reason for the accident, too.
Even if a person has had a drink or two, it doesn't mean they were driving drunk. The state must prove that the alcohol in a person's system was the reason for the crash, and that can be difficult.
The other thing to keep in mind here is that while people who have had a drink or two can sometimes cause accidents, so can the victim, especially a motorcycle rider. Many motorcyclists ride far too fast and use aggressive driving habits, which can lead to accidents as well.
Law enforcement officers must not make assumptions that lead to major criminal charges. They must fully investigate and look at all angles and not just the ones that seem obvious. In traffic accidents especially, there is often more than meets the eye.
If you, a family member or other loved one is arrested and charged with a crime in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami, contact Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyers today at 1-866-727-5384 to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
University of Miami Student, 19, Charged With DUI Manslaughter: November 3, 2011
Additional Resources:
Judge Says Man Facing DUI Manslaughter Cannot Leave Country, by Karen Franklin, NBC Miami
