Jon Noble Keiser, 58, has been charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence in Hillsborough County. Keiser is the senior pastor at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, located in Tampa. He was pulled over after 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, when an officer equipped with a radar gun determined that Keiser was driving at 13 miles per hour over the posted speed limit on Linebaugh Avenue.
The police officer who pulled Keiser over detected the smell of alcohol and became suspicious that Keiser was impaired. The pastor refused to submit to a breath alcohol test, commonly known as a breathalyzer. Upon evaluating Kaiser's condition, including the appearance of red and watery eyes and inadequate balance, he was arrested for the misdemeanor DUI charge. The church has refused to comment on the criminal charge. Keiser was released after posting a $500 bond.
In Florida, driving under the influence is an enhanceable crime, meaning that the penalties become more severe each time you do are convicted. For instance, a first-time DUI conviction is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail under Florida law. Your second DUI conviction within five years is punishable by 10 days to one year in jail. The third DUI in a ten-year period is a felony and can result in a prison term of up to five years. This does not take into account situations in which there is an aggravating factor, such as having a child in the car at the time of the DUI arrest or driving with a very high blood alcohol content. In all cases, DUI is additionally punishable by DUI school, fines, court costs, the impoundment of your vehicle, and the loss of your driving privileges. Consult the Tampa DUI attorneys at Musca Law regarding the specific details of your case.
An example of roadside field sobriety tests, followed by a fleeing suspect:
The police officer who pulled Keiser over detected the smell of alcohol and became suspicious that Keiser was impaired. The pastor refused to submit to a breath alcohol test, commonly known as a breathalyzer. Upon evaluating Kaiser's condition, including the appearance of red and watery eyes and inadequate balance, he was arrested for the misdemeanor DUI charge. The church has refused to comment on the criminal charge. Keiser was released after posting a $500 bond.
In Florida, driving under the influence is an enhanceable crime, meaning that the penalties become more severe each time you do are convicted. For instance, a first-time DUI conviction is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail under Florida law. Your second DUI conviction within five years is punishable by 10 days to one year in jail. The third DUI in a ten-year period is a felony and can result in a prison term of up to five years. This does not take into account situations in which there is an aggravating factor, such as having a child in the car at the time of the DUI arrest or driving with a very high blood alcohol content. In all cases, DUI is additionally punishable by DUI school, fines, court costs, the impoundment of your vehicle, and the loss of your driving privileges. Consult the Tampa DUI attorneys at Musca Law regarding the specific details of your case.
An example of roadside field sobriety tests, followed by a fleeing suspect:
