Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys understand that a simple DUI case can quickly spin out of control and land someone in jail for years. This is why Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys recommend contacting a qualified lawyer immediately upon any accident, DUI stop or any other legal situation.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was charged with DUI manslaughter in connection with an incident in mid-March. Court papers filed in Miami on April 1st, reveal Stallworth hit a pedestrian, 59 year-old Mario Reyes, while driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .126, well above Florida's .08 legal limit, on his way home from a South Beach nightclub. While court papers were, indeed, filed on April Fool's Day, this is no joke for Stallworth. If convicted, he will face up to 15 years in prison for manslaughter, in addition to six months' possible prison time, fines and community service, which are generally given out as punishment for first-time driving under the influence offenders.
Stallworth released a statement last month saying he was "grief-stricken" over the incident. DUI manslaughter is when a car accident that results in the death of another person happens while one driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In Florida an offense for such a conviction is considered a second degree felony and carries a minimum jail sentence of four years, so if convicted, Stallworth will certainly be in jail for some time.
Florida law also allows for added prison time if the defendant fails to give information or aid. Fortunately for Stallworth, he didn't panic and leave the scene, but stayed and was cooperative with police on the scene. In addition to jail time, if Stallworth has a Florida driver's license, it will be permanently revoked. Since Stallworth is part of the National Football League (NFL), he has also been placed on a strict midnight to 6 a.m. curfew and will submit to random alcohol and drug testing through the NFL's substance abuse program. Stallworth was released after posting $200,000 bail and is has been allowed limited travel between Miami and Cleveland. Driving under the influence can have serious, life-altering consequences.
If you have been charged with DUI, having an experienced attorney could keep you out of jail. Call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today. Let their combined 50 years of courtroom experience fight for you.
