Driving a car can be dangerous. Poor roads, adverse weather conditions and other drivers can all easily cause an accident. However, there are occasions when someone causes an accident after having too much to drink. These drunk-driving accidents can lead to injuries to the driver and to others involved in the accident. Even if someone gets into an accident, police can and will still issue a DUI charge.
3-car crash leads to DUI charges for Oregon man
With the holiday season in midswing people are likely to be heading to parties and other festivities that may include drinking. People may not realize that they have had one too many drinks before getting out onto Oregon roadways. In these situations, people can easily end up with drunk driving charges if they are stopped by police.
Oregon man accused of bribing police faces felony charge
There are many different classifications of crimes. One of the main ways crimes are classified is the distinction between misdemeanors and felonies. Felonies are more serious charges that typically mean a person can be sentenced to more than one year in prison if found guilty, whereas misdemeanors carry penalties of under one year in jail. Many people may think only violent crimes or those involving lots of money fall into the felony category, but this is not true. In Oregon, felonies are varied and can include lesser criminal activity.
Oregon couple's drug case involves state and federal courts
Both the state and federal governments have criminal courts. Each court handles different types of crimes and has rules and procedures that need to be followed. Drug charges typically are prosecuted in Oregon courts as a state crime. Drug offenses have a wide range of punishments depending on the specific charges, the amount of drugs the person is accused of having or dealing, the person's criminal record and the type of drug involved. However, some drug charges can be prosecuted in federal court. These charges are typically more severe and have heavier consequences.
2011 crime rate statistics for Oregon released
A criminal conviction, or in some cases even just a criminal charge, can change the course of a person's life. There are serious long-term consequences associated with being accused and found guilty of a crime. People can be sent to jail or prison, fined, lose their jobs, lose their professional licenses or worse. While an aggressive criminal defense can help to mitigate the damage caused by a criminal charge, it is obviously best to avoid criminal activity in the first place.
Woman charged with DUII after allegedly hitting 2 pedestrians
When someone is caught driving after they have been drinking, a criminal case will likely follow if the person's blood alcohol content exceeds the legal limit of .08. When a person is arrested in Oregon for drunk driving, or driving under the influence of intoxicants, two separate actions follow. One is strictly on the criminal prosecution side. In this action, prosecutors will try to prove that the person was guilty of a DUII and the person could be sentenced to jail time, probation and fines, depending on the circumstances in the case.
Oregon man sentenced on felony bigamy charges
How a person chooses to respond to criminal charges can make a very big difference in the outcome of a case. When the criminal charges are felonies, the repercussions are extremely serious. In pleading not guilty, people must be prepared to mount an aggressive defense. They need to have effective counsel and a solid strategy to fight the charges in court.
Oregon man sentenced after pleading guilty to sex crime
Some crimes, due to their shocking nature, get extra attention from the media. The media sometimes take these cases and sensationalize them for their own gain. In these types of cases, it can be hard for those accused of a crime to get fair criminal proceedings. Because people see the news version of the story and form their own opinions, even if the person is innocent, he or she can be unfairly judged.
Search for phone leads to drug charges in Oregon case
Seemingly minor interactions with police can sometimes lead to more serious criminal charges. Police may pull someone over for a traffic violation, search a vehicle and find drugs. Or police can search a home looking for drugs, but also find weapons. In both of these situations, or similar scenarios, police have to have some reason to conduct a search. Search and seizure rules require police to have probable cause to conduct a search. In most situations, police need a warrant to conduct the search.
Oregon defendants have right to jury trial for violations
Every single person accused of a crime in Oregon has protections granted by the United States Constitution. Many of these constitutional rights protect against police misconduct during searches and seizures of people's personal property. However, some of these rights deal with the subsequent criminal proceedings. They define how people need to be treated during the proceedings. One constitutional right is the right to a jury trial.