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Honolulu DUI And Traffic Law Blog

Can the passengers in my vehicle drink beer?

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Imagine you're driving with your friend to work one morning, and suddenly you hear the pop of a beverage can opening. You figure your friend is drinking a Diet Coke, but when you turn your head, you see an ice-cold can of beer in her hand. She smiles mischievously, and says, "Want a sip?"

Your face turns red because you're not sure if what she's doing is illegal. You know that it's against the law for you to take a sip, and you want to tell her to throw the can out of the window before a police officer pulls you over. What should you do?

The importance of fighting a second or third DUI charge in Hawaii

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Friday, November 2, 2018.

In general, it is a good idea to defend yourself against pending criminal charges, regardless of your criminal background and the nature of the charges. However, for those facing second time or third time charges for similar offenses, there is the potential for much steeper consequences. This is certainly true of those in Hawaii facing a second or third driving under the influence (DUI) charge.

While penalties are serious even for first-time offenders, they become much more steep for those accused of repeatedly violating impaired driving laws in Hawaii. Anyone worried about the potential for a second or third DUI conviction should definitely start exploring options for a criminal defense strategy.

Distracted drivers and pedestrians face penalties in Hawaii

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Friday, October 5, 2018.

The majority of states now have laws banning texting while operating a motor vehicle. Manually entering data into a mobile device, or reading a text message or other written information, distracts people from safety on the road. That distraction creates additional risk for crashes, as it increases reaction times and often results in drivers missing critical visual information near their vehicles.

The hope behind the laws banning texting at the wheel is that people will focus on the roads and the rate of distraction-related crashes will decrease. Hawaii has taken a firm stance against distraction, banning not only cellphone use behind the wheel but also while walking across the road. Anyone charged with a cellphone use offense in Hawaii will end up paying fines.

A DUI conviction could have an impact on your professional career

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

Many people get so worried about jail time associated with a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Hawaii that they overlook other issues. There are a host of potential consequences that can result from impaired driving charges.

Losing your license to drive is a serious concern, as is the potential for large fines. Those who work in positions of trust or who hold professional licenses may also find that a conviction could have an impact on their professional career.

How losing your license over a DUI in Oahu could impact your life

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

Getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Hawaii can have a lot of consequences for your life. The first and most obvious is that you could face criminal penalties, including jail time and massive fines. Even if you avoid jail, it is likely that the state will suspend your license.

Far too many people simply focus on avoiding jail time instead of addressing all of the potential consequences of a DUI charge. The loss of your license can cause a host of issues. Truly understanding the potential results of losing your license can help you make a more informed decision about how you approach pending DUI charges in Hawaii.

Reckless driving in Hawaii can lead to major penalties

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Monday, August 6, 2018.

Operating a motor vehicle is a major responsibility for which you should have a healthy respect. After all, you are in control of a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds and has the potential to cause severe bodily damage or death. Most people take this duty seriously, but almost everyone occasionally has a lapse in judgment while behind the wheel.

Mistakes like reading a text message while in control of your car or exceeding the speed limit by more than a few miles an hour could lead to traffic fines and penalties. Driving without a careful eye on risks and potential consequences could lead to accusations of reckless driving, which are far more serious than a minor speeding ticket. For those facing allegations of reckless driving in Hawaii, the penalties are particularly steep.

Reckless driving: A potentially dangerous and costly mistake

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

When you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle you are expected to follow the rules of the road. Even if you consider yourself a safe driver, there may be times when you break the law. For example, you speed down the highway when you're late and in a hurry to reach your destination. We've all done it, right?

Reckless driving is a serious offense that's defined as a willful disregard for safety and/or the operation of a vehicle in which you have no regard for the consequences of your actions.

Your social group may make you feel less drunk than you are

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

People often assume that drunk drivers know they are drunk and decide to take the risk anyway. While this certainly does happen, it is important to note that it is not always the case. Many people who think they are sober enough to drive safely and responsibly just do not realize how drunk they really are.

When they get DUI charges, they cannot believe it happened to them. They did not take any risks on purpose. They thought they were acting safely and within the bounds of the law.

Traffic offenses you can avoid if you keep yourself focused

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Friday, June 8, 2018.

It's only human to want to get where you are going a little faster on the road, but this leads to all kinds of problems and difficulties from a legal perspective. When you're rushed, you are tempted to commit all manner of traffic violations, including tailgating, speeding and running red lights or stop signs.

Let's take a closer look at some of the most common traffic offenses to avoid committing by keeping your wits about you while driving.

Don't make these mistakes at a DUI checkpoint

On behalf of The Law Office of R. Patrick McPherson, ALL on Friday, May 11, 2018.

Here in Hawaii it is not uncommon for drivers to find themselves face to face with a DUI checkpoint.

If this happens, it's important that you know what will come next. It's also important that you take steps to avoid trouble, as the last thing you need to deal with in your life is a DUI charge.

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