Lawyer Blogs

With summer well on its way, Florida is already seeing some of its heaviest travel during the warmer seasons. From holidays to vacations, many people will be on the road for rest and relaxation, celebration and many other reasons. While it is tempting to take off on an adventure without much thought, the truth is that, at a minimum, there are some things that any traveler should be aware of before departing. For instance, having an idea of the route is essential. Otherwise, there is more chance of experiencing unpleasantness that could otherwise be avoided. Below is some information for travelers to use that can make their trips run more smoothly and safely. 

Trip Planning

1. Sketch out a timeline with a route. Research the most safe roads to travel on. Be mindful of the times of day to avoid heavy traffic as much as possible. For instance, rather than sit in traffic, find an activity along the way to pass the time in each location. This is especially better for children who tend to get restless when cooped up in a car. 

Most of us try to live a normal life free of any trouble or involvement with law enforcement. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of getting behind the wheel after one too many alcoholic beverages, and end up being charged with driving under the influence. As anyone who's ever been convicted of a DUI can attest, it can have far-reaching effects in one's life that go on for years. This is why, if you've been charged with the crime, there are a few steps you should take in order to mitigate the damage.

Contesting a License Suspension

Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most rampant criminal activities in America. In fact, it's likely that every person in the country knows at least one person who has been arrested for this charge. Unfortunately for those arrested, the consequences can be severe. Most people know about license restrictions and fines that come along with a DUI conviction, but many are quickly learning that they could also lose their vehicle altogether. This is known as a vehicle forfeiture, and anyone in a locality that engages in this practice needs to know what they may face.

Is Car Forfeiture Legal?

Many people don't even understand what car forfeiture is. In a nutshell, some states and localities allow for the seizure of a person's assets if it's believed that they were either gained through or used for illegal activities. Some governments use this ill-worded law to allow for the seizure of a person's car if they're arrested for DUI, technically an illegal activity, while in the vehicle. This can even occur in cases where the driver of the vehicle wasn't the actual owner of the vehicle.

The United States Supreme Court has taken on cases of property forfeiture, and they've found the process completely legal. Sadly, it's likely that many legal professionals were not aware that this law would be used to seize people's vehicles after a DUI. The scariest part is the fact that this is handled as a civil matter rather than a criminal one.

Being informed is the key. Try visiting sites online like, Devorelawoffice.com, where you will be advised that, "The forfeiture process itself initially takes place through what are known as administrative proceedings. Rather than taking place in a court of law, an administrative hearing will be scheduled within thirty days of the seizure of the vehicle, administrative proceedings are similar to what takes place in regard to a driver’s license suspension."

Everyone's home will likely need repairs or improvements at one point or another. Most of us expect these repairs to be relatively costly, but unfortunately, some contractors take advantage of this belief and overcharge their clients. A homeowner does have a bit of legal recourse when they're charged too much, but they must first be able to recognize whether they were overcharged or not. 

The Hiring Process

The best time to recognize a potential overcharge is before any work is actually done. Less scrupulous contractors are sometimes easily identifiable, and there's a good chance that these individuals will perform subpar work or overcharge for what they actually do. One huge red flag to look out for is unsolicited offers. After Hurricane Sandy, for instance, many people started getting offers from random "companies." Some of these offers were even made by an unsolicited knock at the door. Many may have found it easy to take advantage of New York property owners, especially those who had no previous experience with home repair. In-depth researching, vetting, and possibly even consulting with a Manhattan real estate attorney, are tactics these home owners could use to avoid such scams.

The reason that this happens after disasters is because con artists and dishonest contractors know that plenty of money is about to flow through the area. From insurance payouts to government assistance, there will be money available for those who provide services. To avoid getting overcharged by these con artists, a homeowner should not consider unsolicited offers and should check out all companies with their local Better Business Bureau or home builders' association.

Everyone knows that driving under the influence (DUI) is considered a serious crime, and most are even acutely aware that a person can be charged with this crime without having any alcohol in their system at all. This is because most jurisdictions allow for a DUI charge if a person is under the influence of drugs as well. Testing for this type of intoxication, however, can be much more difficult than typical alcohol breath tests. As it turns out, nonetheless, scientists in Sweden may have found an answer for this.

Taking Breathalyzers up a Notch