Can You Get a DUI on a Bicycle?
Bicyclists riding under the influence can face legal consequences if their actions injure others or damage property. Summary In North Dakota, bicycling while intoxicated by alcohol used to be punishable similarly to a DUI any driver would face, but the enactment of HB 1506 into law changed that. Driving under the influence while on a bike is still a punishable offense. It carries up to a $200 fine. Drunk bicyclists may potentially face additional criminal offenses for their actions, which may necessitate them hiring a criminal defense attorney to defend them in court. In a scenario where you anticipate getting drunk, like a party or dinner with friends, you may be planning to take your bike to get home safely. While this allows you to avoid getting behind the wheel of a car if you don't have a designated driver, bicycling while drunk can still result in serious injuries. Another factor to consider is the potential legal ramifications. If you're trying to be responsible, you may search to find out, "Can you get a DUI on a bicycle?" The legal repercussions of causing harm while biking under the influence have lessened in recent years, but you should still take them...
Steps to Take if You’re Pulled Over for Drunk Driving on St. Patrick’s Day
Understanding your rights is crucial in a St. Patrick's Day DUI stop. Summary St. Patrick's Day celebrations often see a rise in drunk driving and police activity, so it’s a good idea to know what steps to take if you’re pulled over for drunk driving on St. Patrick’s Day. DUI penalties in North Dakota include fines, license suspension, jail time, and higher insurance rates. If pulled over for DUI, you have the right to remain silent and refuse field sobriety tests. Breathalyzer tests are mandatory, and refusal leads to automatic license suspension. An experienced DUI attorney can help navigate the legal process and potentially minimize the impact of a St. Patrick's Day DUI charge. St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebration, filled with parties and parades, traditional Irish fare, and of course, a good pint of Guinness. However, these festivities often come with a rise in drunk driving incidents, along with increased police activity on the roads. Driving under the influence is a serious criminal offense that can carry some heavy consequences. If you find yourself pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving this St. Patrick's Day, it's crucial to know your rights and take the necessary steps to...
Understanding Search and Seizure Laws: What Every Citizen Should Know
Summary Search and seizure laws exist to protect citizens from abuses of law enforcement power. To search your property or person, law enforcement must first obtain a search warrant. There are some circumstances in which law enforcement doesn’t need a search warrant, but the requirements are very strict. If your rights have been violated, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help protect you. For centuries, American law has protected citizens from unlawful search and seizure. The police and other authorities have limits on their power to search people, search their property, and seize their possessions. Knowing your rights when it comes to searches and seizures is crucial for protecting yourself in interactions with law enforcement. If your rights have been violated during a search, you don’t have to face it alone. The team at Sand Law can help you defend your rights and obtain justice. Our criminal defense attorneys have the background and means to represent your case. You can schedule a free consultation by calling (701) 394-3715 or contacting us online. What is Search and Seizure? During the investigation of a crime or suspected crime, police may search people or their property and seize certain items. This often happens against...
Blood, Breath, and Tears: Challenging the Accuracy of DUI Testing Methods
In many states, including North Dakota, field sobriety tests are responsible for helping law enforcement determine whether someone has been drinking. For example, some common types of field sobriety tests include: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test One-Leg Stand Test Walk and Turn Test Finger to Nose Test The Romberg Balance Test The above tests are considered the standardized field sobriety tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, there are many other non-standardized field sobriety tests that officers use. For example, these include backward counting, reciting the alphabet backward, and the finger dexterity test. Field sobriety tests are used to ensure that safe driving is occurring, especially in high-risk areas. For example, near bars and nightclubs. A police officer will pull over a driver they suspect might be drinking and ask them to perform one or more of these tests. Using the knowledge they've acquired from watching the driver complete the sobriety tests, they'll decide on their next steps. What is considered driving while intoxicated? In North Dakota, it's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Driving with a BAC of 0.08% is legally called driving under the influence (DUI). However, this only...
Mistakes to Avoid After Arrest: A Legal Perspective
The attorneys with Sand Law would like to share some common mistakes to avoid after arrest. If you choose our firm, we’ll do everything we can to provide you with the best defense possible. While we can’t make any promises, we guarantee we’ll work passionately to either reduce your charges or see that the court throws your case out entirely. North Dakota law enforcement agencies made 49,488 arrests in 2022. Being arrested can be a distressing and overwhelming experience. In such a situation, handling things cautiously is crucial to avoid making mistakes that could have serious legal consequences. Navigating the aftermath of an arrest requires a clear understanding of your rights and the potential pitfalls. Here’s a look at what NOT to do if police arrest you. Learn more about how we can help by calling 701-609-1510 or contacting us online. Mistakes to Avoid After Arrest: Talking Way Too Much After an arrest, the urge to explain your side of the story to law enforcement officers is natural, but it's a mistake that can have far-reaching implications. Law enforcement officers are trained to gather evidence, and they may misconstrue what you say or take it out of context. Instead of...
How to Build a Successful Defense Against Criminal Charges
Since the stakes are so high when it comes to criminal charges, you'll want an attorney who can implement a sound defense strategy. A skilled lawyer can plant a seed of doubt in a jury’s mind in many ways. If jury members can’t find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, they can’t convict you. The attorneys with Sand Law have extensive experience helping clients achieve positive results in their cases. We’ll protect your rights and do all we can to help you defeat the prosecution’s case. Schedule a free case evaluation by calling 701-609-1510 or using our online contact form. Choose the Right Jury Jury selection, also known as voir dire, is a critical trial stage. Your defense attorney will work closely with you to identify potential jurors who may be more sympathetic or receptive to your case. This involves asking prospective jurors questions to assess their biases, attitudes, and experiences that could impact their ability to remain impartial. For example, if you’re facing drug charges, you may want to avoid jurors who have had negative experiences with drugs or law enforcement. By strategically selecting jurors more likely to view your case favorably, you increase the chances of a fair...
How Social Media Can Affect Your Criminal Case
In the age of social media, it's easy to forget that our online activity is not as private as we might think. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all designed to connect us with others, and they offer a wealth of information that can be used against us in a criminal case. If you're facing criminal charges, it's essential to understand how social media can affect your case. In this article, we'll explore how social media can impact your case and offer some tips for using social media responsibly during a criminal investigation. Please speak with a Sand Law attorney as soon as possible to learn how we can help. We’ll work to have your charges reduced or dropped entirely. Call 701-609-1510 or contact us online for a free consultation. Social Media Isn’t Private One of the most important things to understand about social media is that it's not private. Even if you set your account to "private," there are still ways for others to access your information. For example, a friend might screenshot your post and share it with others, or a hacker might access your account and steal your data. In addition, social media platforms themselves often...
Your Legal Rights if You’re Pulled Over in Fargo
Being pulled over is obviously a frightening situation for anyone. But you should know that there are laws that protect your legal rights when you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer. You may be worried about the possibility of being arrested, while the officer won’t be completely sure whether or not you’re a threat. But while you should always be as courteous and respectful as possible, it will also be just as important to remember you have rights. If you’ve been pulled over and felt those rights were abused, or you were eventually arrested, a criminal defense attorney with Sand Law PLLC will be ready to help. We have a deep understanding of the law, and we will use that knowledge to your benefit. We’ll tell you what to expect through every step of the process, and we do all we can to have any charges that might have been filed against you either reduced substantially or dropped altogether. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our attorneys as soon as you can. Give us a call at 701-609-1510 for a free consultation, or contact us online. Basic Legal Rights Whether you’re being pulled over due...
Should You Take a Lie Detector Test to Prove Your Innocence?
If you’ve been arrested and you know you’re innocent, you’ll likely be willing to do whatever it takes to prove it – even if that means taking a polygraph, or lie detector test. Whether you’re facing a charge of having committed a financial crime,drug trafficking, a property crime or anything else, you might feel desperate enough to submit. You have the right to do so, of course. But should you? The answer isn’t as clear-cut as most people assume. You’ll have to consider a lot of different factors before you choose to take a lie detector test. Having an experienced attorney by your side will be a must, because they’ll be able to give you the advice you need to make the best possible decision. Please don’t submit to any kind of polygraph without first speaking with a Sand Law attorney. Get in touch with us as soon as you can by contacting us online or calling 701-609-1510. What is a Lie Detector Test and How Does it Work? You’ve no doubt seen a television or movie actor being strapped to a polygraph machine at one time or another. You might be wondering how this contraption actually works. In a...