Record Details: What’s Important to My DUI Case?

When dealing with a DUI, it can be difficult to remember every single detail. No matter your level of intoxication, going through the motions of a DUI arrest can be quite disorienting. For this reason, it can be incredibly beneficial to record all of the details surrounding the time leading up to, during, and after your stop. By taking the time to record details, you might help your attorney to better fight your case. So, we’re going to help you decide what’s important, and what to write down.

Record Details: What’s Important to My DUI Case?

Where were you and at what time did you have your last drink?

A smart thing to do on your end, is to record when and where you had your last drink. If you have receipts, hold onto them. Try and be specific in your details, and make note of them. Include anything you might have eaten or drank before hitting the road as well. Having a record of your intake can help to show that you are coherent, and also that there were other things besides alcohol going into your system.

Describe your driving just before the officer stopped you

Make a note of your driving, and be honest about it. Were you swerving? Running off of the road? Were you distracted? Did you drop something and lean over to get it? Keep a record of how fast you were going, what road, your driving, and how long it took for you to pull over after you saw blue lights. Every detail can be helpful to your lawyer.

What was the reason for pulling you over?

When the officer stops you, and walks to your window, the first thing they should do is to tell you why you were stopped. Did you have a broken tail light? Did you swerve? Speeding? Recount the conversations, actions, and so forth. The more details, will undeniably be better.

Appearance and Conduct

Another thing to make note of is your appearance and the way you act. If you felt nervous, scared, or confused, be sure to include that. You’ll want to make note of emotions, how you look at the time of your stop, and the way that you spoke with the officer. While it might feel embarrassing to relay to your attorney, they’re on your side here. Any information you share with them is privileged, private, and only helps them to further establish your case.

The importance of specifics

The details can be quite telling when it comes down to it. Writing down those actions, details, and conversations can give your attorney a lot to go on. Not to mention, as time goes by, it can be easy for details to fail you or become muddy. When you record details surrounding the event, you have a reliable source to revisit when you’re in need of clarification.

Selecting Delicious Wine for Dummies: Picking the Good from the Okay

If you’re not a big drinker, it can be difficult to make good choices when it comes to selecting a bottle. Whether you’re picking up a bottle of wine for a dinner party, a date, or as a present— you want to make the perfect selection. After all, a delicious wine is a conversation starter, and it makes you the belle of the ball— every time. But how do you select delicious wine? Lucky for you, we have a few pointers to get you started 

Selecting Delicious Wine for Dummies: Picking the Good from the Okay

The time has come for you to select a delicious wine for your guest(s), yourself, or as a white elephant gift. No matter the reason, you want to make sure you don’t end up picking a bottle that your guests will disregard and pass off at the next holiday party. So, we’re going to help you pick out a few details that make for a delicious wine. You never know, you might even love it… 

Start by actually reading the label 

You’ll want to skip over bottles that use generic terms, such as ‘table wine’ or ‘California wine’. While some might be flavorful, most will be bland, unbalanced, and not unique in any way. When a bottle of wine uses these terms, it indicates that the grapes being used to make the wine are from a large variety. One of the beautiful things about wine that comes from certain regions, vineyards, or even altitudes— is the flavor of that place.  For example, picking a bottle from Mendoza, Argentina will have the deep, fruity flavors, a little acidity, and a dry mouth feel. 

Don’t take the cheap route

One of the biggest mistakes people make in selecting wine, is going for the cheapest option. With wine, just as many other things, you will absolutely get what you pay for in many cases. When a wine is on sale, it’s likely either 1) something they couldn’t get rid of, or 2) passed the ideal consumption window for the wine. While there are some stores that you can find quality wine at a reasonable price point, like Trader Joe’s, reasonable does not always mean $5. 

Understand the lingo

Making sense of what you like, or are looking for, comes with using specific terms too describe it. Say, for example, you like a wine that is lightly fruity, not too sweet, and not dry in your mouth. Consider asking your helper for a ‘fruit-forward malbec that isn’t too tannic.’ Fruit-forward doesn’t mean sugary, it just means you can smell the fruits, taste them in the flavors, and maybe they linger in your mouth a bit. The term ‘tannic’ refers to the way that wine feels in your mouth. If something has high tannins, or is quite tannic, it will feel dry in your mouth after a drink. If it is low in tannins, then it will feel more juicy in your mouth rather than dry. 

Tell your helper what you’ll be pairing the wine with

One of the most beautiful things about selecting a wine, is pairing it with something that compliments the flavors. One good rule of thumb comes down to the color of your foods. Light colored foods, such as salad, shrimp, mussels, or chicken, will pair better with a white wine. Darker colored foods, such as a steak, spaghetti, or chocolate cake, will pair better with a red. If you’re having trouble selecting an appropriate wine, ask someone in the wine section to help you. If they know anything about wine, they will likely be able to match what you’re wanting to an appropriate bottle. 

Picking wine isn’t easy 

You’re not alone in your struggle. Picking delicious wine can be pretty difficult, even for a seasoned wine drinker. After all, even an Australian Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills might not be a good fit for you. The key to picking delicious wine is to take suggestions. Read the label, consider feedback, and know what you’re looking at. So pick a wine, check it’s origin, and take a chance. You’ll never know until you try…

As always, we encourage you to drink responsibly, and don’t drive when you know you’ll be drinking. 

Sobriety Checkpoints: Where, When, and What They’re Looking For

One of the most quizzical ways to get a DUI, is through a sobriety checkpoints. These checkpoints can pop up at any point in time, but are quite common during the holiday season. However, your biggest question, like many others, is what to expect if you happen to come upon a checkpoint. What do they look for? Where will they likely set up? And how do I avoid them?

Sobriety Checkpoints: Where, When, and What They’re Looking For

When?

Officers may set up a DWI checkpoint at any time they chose. In fact, in most cases, officers schedule these checkpoints in advance throughout different areas. Most of the time, these stops take place at night as people would be leaving parties or bars. These checks occur a lot around holidays. For instance, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas, and New Year’s are popular times for DWI checkpoints. Because these points in time are likely to bring more drunk drivers to the road, more checkpoints will inevitably be out there to try and stop them.

Where?

Sobriety checkpoints will often be set up along busy streets, or a street that connects to a common drinking spot. Typically, if the road sees a lot of traffic, or drunk drivers, then it will be at the top of the list for officers. No matter the location, keep in mind that both sides of the road are going to face a stop.

What Do They Look For?

During a sobriety checkpoint, an officer will ask to see your license. They’ll start by checking to make sure the license is valid. Then, they might ask where you’re going to, or coming from. They’ll watch your basic functions, and look for signs of impairment, such as slurred speech, or poor coordination. They might also glance into your car for signs of drugs, alcohol, or the remnants of such.

How do I avoid them?

The thing to keep in mind about sobriety checkpoints, although they can feel quite invasive, is that they’re there to make the roads safer. Therefore, the best way to avoid them— is to not drink and drive. Furthermore, if you pass a sobriety checkpoint, do not share it on social media. While you don’t want your friends to drink and drive, you also don’t want to be part of the reason why someone was injured or killed because your friends slipped through the cracks.

Drive safe, drive smart, and drive sober.