On the day of the accident, West had been drinking at a Clearwater Beach Bar.  West was going 90 mph as he drove up onto the curb and crashed into Hall at 1:00 a.m.  Hall had simply been waiting for a ride.  Hall sustained major injuries including a crushed pelvis and a severed leg.  Officers said that even three hours after the accident West's blood alcohol level was 0.188, which attorney John Musca said is over twice the level at which a person is presumed impaired under Florida law.

Ironically, Hall, who battled cerebral palsy as a toddler, had worked hard to develop the ability to walk on his own.  His story has inspired many in the Tampa area.  He now faces a long rehabilitation, once being fitted with a prosthetic leg so that hopefully he can one-day walk again.  Hall will try to draw on the strength and courage he developed as a child as he once again faces a long difficult rehabilitation process.

West apologized to Hall at the hearing, but Hall was skeptical about West's sincerity.  "Looking into his eyes, he's a really lost young man," said Hall.  Hall plans to use his story to publicize the problem of drunk driving.  "Drinking and driving is an epidemic," said Hall.  "It's spreading like cancer.  So if this will promote change, all across America, I'm on the wagon for it."

A program has been set up to raise funds to purchase a prosthetic leg and assist Hall in paying his medical bills.

Mahoney indicated he had been drinking and driving for years without ever being involved in an incident or receiving a ticket.  Mahoney said, "I've been drinking and driving for 20 years and never got caught before tonight," according to the Florida Highway Patrol report.

When officers arrived, Mahoney had left the parking lot with a broken right front axle on his vehicle and had gone on to hit a fence on Hilltop Drive in the Tampa suburb of New Port Richey.  Mahoney was just sitting on the rear bumper of his vehicle when the Florida Highway Patrol officers arrived.

Mahoney was charged with DUI, two counts of DUI damages to property and hit and run involving property damage.  Mahoney, who resides at 9440 Osceola Drive in New Port Richey, was released from Land O' Lakes jail after posting $1500 bail.

A first time DUI involving damage to property is a misdemeanor in the first degree under Florida law, which could result in a jail sentence of up to 6 months as well as fines and a license suspension of 180 days to 1 year.  Because Mahoney left the parking lot, which was the scene of the original collision, he could face a felony conviction with extensive jail or state prison sentencing, fines and other penalties.

If you or a loved one have been charged with a Tampa DUI, contact a knowledgeable Tampa drunk driving defense attorney to work for you. Musca Law firm has handled countless alcohol related cases in Tampa and throughout the State of Florida. With over 100 years of combined legal experience and Musca Law understands the complexities of the justice system. Experience does make a difference with the outcome inside the courtroom. Contact Musca Law for a consultation and an in depth review of the charges against you.

When Rettman's boat collided with the other boat, Blankenship was badly injured by the boat's propeller, which slashed her chest and nearly severed her arm.  Blankenship died 10 days after the accident.  Penny Barnett, Blankenship's mother, expressed the family's grief after the verdict.  "There's no one who wins here.  This is not closure, by a long shot.  There is no closure."

The issue of who was driving the boat became a critical issue in the trial.  The prosecution argued that Rettman's daughter Amanda, who was 10 at the time, was steering while Rettman operated the throttle.  The defense contended no evidence was presented to show Rettman was the person driving the boat at the time of the accident.  The defense pointed out that Justin Shields, who owned the boat, was on the boat at the time of the accident.  Rettman's daughter testified that both Shields and her father were standing next to her at the time of the accident.  She also testified that Shields was the one who was operating the throttle at the time of the accident.

Barnett expressed sympathy for Amanda.  "I bless his family and my heart just goes out to his family.  My main concern is for Amanda.  I've never blamed her, not once.  I hope she can get on with her life."

The vehicle struck a scooter on the left side and wedged it underneath the right front bumper of the pickup truck he was driving.  The driver's blood-alcohol level of 0.348 was four times the legal limit under Florida law.  According to police, who already had a 1992 driving under the influence conviction, traveled 146.6 feet before reacting to the crash.

Commenting on the seriousness of such cases, the assistant state attorney who prosecuted the case said; "There are so many of these cases, and judges are consistently giving maximum-term sentences on DUI manslaughter.  The judges in Pinellas County are not going to tolerate people driving drunk and hurting and/or killing people."

The victim was a World War II army veteran who took part in the invasion of Normandy.  He went into the army as a private in 1942 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, air dropped into enemy territory in the dark of night after midnight on June 6, 1944.  The plan was for the soldiers to land 10 miles inland from Omaha beach pending the arrival of reinforcements.   Many of the soldiers in the unit landed off target and got separated while some drowned in the English Channel.  He was shot in the leg and received the Purple Heart and was awarded a Bronze Star with a V for valor.

The daughter of the victim commented on the sentence, "It keeps a lot of people safe.  I'm pleased.  He's 61 now and suffered a stroke through his alcoholism.  He'll never walk out of prison."

When faced with serious DUI charges  that include manslaughter, it is imperative to retain experienced and aggressive DUI Criminal Defense lawyers to conserve your constitutional rights and compass the best possible outcome.

Musca Law provides experienced DUI and Criminal Defense Attorneys who investigate exhaustively to build an effective case for their clients. Do not plead guilty to any DUI charge. You do not have to answer any questions outside of your name and address. You do not have to state that you were drinking. You do not have to be subjected to any form of sobriety testing from breathalyzer to roadside field tests. Simply be polite, provide accurate documents and call Musca Law. Being arrested does not mean that you will be convicted!

Police that responded to the scene, reported that she was under the influence of a controlled substance.  She consented to a series of voluntary field sobriety exercises, where she reportedly failed.  She was then arrested and charged with DUI, DUI with property damage, leaving the scene of an accident with unattended property, and child neglect.

Setting aside the more serious charges, according to Florida Law, leaving the scene of an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by a person, shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident, or as close there to as possible, and shall forthwith return to, and in every event shall remain at the scene. Any person failing to stop, or comply with Florida Law, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $500, or by imprisonment for not more than 60 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

If you have been accused of driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other criminal offense, you should call the Law Offices of Musca Law as soon as possible.  Because Musca Law is relentless in the defense of their clients, they have effectively achieved reduced sentences, reduced charges, preservation of driver's licenses, and dismissed charges for their clients.

When we think of holiday activities we think of the local church Christmas play or the Nutcracker.  However, Hillsborough County has another activity in store, an activity that will serve to encourage compliance of the existing traffic laws by motorists.  Operation 3D will also focus on motorists who drink and drive.

As most would agree there is no excuse for driving while under the influence of alcohol. However, the holiday season makes us merrier than other times of the year, where we enjoy eating, drinking, and being merry.  We never think of the dangers when we hit the roadways.  We do not stop to think that once we enter our vehicles after a few merry drinks, that we have now entered a 4,000 lb weapon, the weight of the average American car.   Driving while under the influence of alcohol, is a sure set up for target practice where our fellow drivers on the road or the pedestrians in the street become the target.

Operation 3D, is going to ensure that our roadways are safe this holiday season where they have scheduled heightened patrols and checkpoints throughout the county. 

Although most of us do not intend to drink and drive, the hard truth is that we do.  During these heightened patrols the odds are, you will be pulled over, or you will travel through a DUI checkpoint.  The consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol can be catastrophic if you have been charged with DUI, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  This is when you will need an experienced and aggressive DUI Attorney, where your case will be thoroughly reviewed and your best interests protected.

If you need a Florida criminal defense attorney, contact Musca Law for aggressive representation.

A suspected drunk driver collided with a St. Petersburg police officer this week. The officer, Gregory Shone, came into to help another officer with stopping a Nissan Maxima on the corner of 20 Avenue South and MLK Street. Officer shone had his lights and sirens initiated when the driver, 39-year old Lura Goldsmith, failed to slow and hit the cruiser.

Two passengers, 39-year old female and 5-year old child were also in Goldsmith's vehicle at the time of the crash. The officer, passengers and driver were all transported to Bayfront Medical Center for the treatment of nonlife threatening injuries. Deputies with the St. Petersburg Police later arrested Goldsmith on Tampa crimina charges of Tampa DUI and driving with a suspended license. The defendant has been released from the Pinellas County Jail on $750 bail.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a DUI, DUI with property damage and injuries or other alcohol related offense, contact an experienced Tampa drunk driving defense attorney for help with your case. The attorneys at Musca Law have over 100 years of combined legal experience with proven successful case results. We have two convenient Tampa DUI defense offices to serve you. Contact the Tampa DUI lawyers at Musca Law for a free, comprehensive review of your case. You are considered innocent until proven guilty in a Court of law.

A 30 year old woman had been pulled over by police for a headlight infraction.  After approaching the vehicle the officer observed an open container of tequila and a strong odor of alcohol on the driver. The officer also observed that two children, ages 7 and 9 were present in the vehicle, both were wearing seat belts.

The driver agreed to take the field sobriety exercises where she had failed.  The breathalyzer report revealed that the woman had a blood alcohol content of .235, three times the legal limit of .08.  An arrest was made on the charges of DUI, aggravated child neglect, driving without a valid driver's license and driving an unregistered vehicle.

The difficulties involved in a DUI arrest are enhanced when a charge of child neglect is involved.  Child neglect charges related to a DUI have automatic enhancements which can include higher fines, longer probation terms, enhanced vehicle impound days, 6 months of an installed ignition locking device, a longer suspension of your driver's license  with a possible jail sentence of up to 9 months.

When charged with a DUI, what you do in the first couple of hours can make the difference in the outcome of your case.  The attorneys at Musca Law know how to protect your rights.  With more than 100 years of combined experience in the criminal justice system, the Attorneys at Musca Law provide their clients with the vigorous criminal defense that they deserve.  If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI contact MUSCA LAW today.

Officers approached the rider, 45-year old Jeremy Bowen, and he immediately jumped off of the bicycle. The authorities noticed the defendant smelled of alcohol, slurred his speech and had difficulty maintaining his balance. At first Bowen denied riding the bike and then he eventually admitted to drinking 5 beers at a bar before accepting a ride from a taxi.

After being convicted of DUI manslaughter a woman filed a motion for a sentence reduction. It had been previously reported that the State convicted the defendant of DUI manslaughter that resulted in the fatal accident that killed a 34-year old woman. It was reported that the victim had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

The driver that caused the accident reportedly fled the scene on foot with her unharmed 4-year old daughter.

Field sobriety tests were conducted which revealed that the suspect was in fact under the influence of alcohol.  However, the breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol level of .05, below the legal limit of .08.

The suspect was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter where she can face up to a maximum sentence of 30 years behind in prison. After entering into a plea agreement with the State she was sentenced to 13 years in prison.  A request was made for a reduction of her sentence, claiming that she did not fully understand the agreement and that her daughter would be without a mother. The judge in this case denied the motion.

DUI manslaughter is the unlawful killing of another without either intent to kill or reckless indifference to the loss of someone's life.  If a person is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is the cause of accident that costs an individual his or her life may be charged with DUI manslaughter, a felony.

If you have been charged with DUI or DUI manslaughter you need to retain an attorney with legal experience coupled with hands on personalized service. Attorneys at Musca Law are reputable aggressive and can protect your rights.  Musca Law has helped countless clients fight their DUI charges with their knowledge and skills to obtain a winning verdict for their clients or negotiate with prosecutors to get their clients charges reduced for dismissed.

After five months, the suspect involved in allegedly hitting a 20 year old pedestrian with his vehicle is behind bars. The defendant, 24-year old Joshua Dean West, is accused of driving under the influence and crashing into a bystander on April 20, 2009. West attempted to flee the scene and crashed into two telephone poles before his car came to a stop. The defendant fled on foot, only to be found by a police tracking dog.

The injured victim, 20-year old Andrew Scott Hall, has been at the Bayfront Medical Center since the April crash. The accident left Hall with a crushed pelvis and severed leg. Hall has been forced to undergo several reconstructive surgeries in an effort to heal his injuries. He still is unable to walk and has his elbow held at a 90 degree angle. Hall may be able to leave the hospital in at least 3 weeks.