Alabama DUI Lawyer Blog

DUI laws for Alabama municipalities appear to be too lenient based on news coming out of Huntsville lately. In the wake of the violent drunk driving traffic deaths of two teenagers on April 17, Mayor Tommy Battle and the Huntsville City Council are actively seeking more stringent legislation for those with previous drunk driving offenses.

At the Huntsville City Council meeting last week, members demanded to know why municipal DUI offenders are not subject to the same three-strike rule as the state requires when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol. According to reports, the man who sped through an intersection that Friday night -- hitting and killing Grissom High School sophomore, Leigh Anna Jimmerson, 16, and her boyfriend, Tad Mattle, 19 -- already had an outstanding warrant for a previous drunk driving offense.

According to authorities, the 25-year-old suspect, Felix Dominguez Ortega, has been arrested previously under the name Adan Herrera. Police also claim that Ortega has used the names Reynaldo Martinez and Juan Sanchez. Being held in the Madison County jail on $2 million bond pending trial, he has been charged with two counts of murder, as well as with possession of a forged instrument and operating a vehicle without a valid driver's license.

Every drunk driving offense is serious, but when deaths are involved the situation can be very challenging for the defense. Regardless, in our legal system every defendant has the right to be represented when his day in court arrives. The charges against the defendant in this case make it all the more important to have a skilled legal professional on his side.

This latest DUI-related traffic death has ignited calls for tougher laws. As it stands now, a third-time municipal DUI offense does not automatically result in a felony on a driver’s record. This could change in the months to come, as Mayor Battle recently announced his plans to effect a change in the law. Working with state representatives, Battle has helped create House Bill 260, containing legislation that the bill’s authors hope will lower the number of DUI's in Huntsville, and across the state.

If you or anyone you know finds themselves accused of DUI, we highly recommend that you seek the services of a qualified and experienced Alabama DUI Lawyer. Eversole Law has the skills and the knowledge to provide a quality defense for clients in Birmingham and surrounding areas.

Huntsville Officials React to DUI Deaths, WAAYTV.com, April 23, 2009

Overflow crowd fills church for Leigh Anna Jimmerson's funeral, AL.com, April 22, 2009

Police: Crash suspect has warrants for DUI, AL.com, April 21, 2009

State Senator Zeb Little, who was pulled over for allegedly driving drunk earlier this month, has had his court date changed to May 18 due to a scheduling conflict with his senate obligations. The state senate majority leader was arrested for DUI by Alabama State troopers on the afternoon of Friday, April 3, along Interstate 65 after a brief police pursuit.

On that day, the allegedly intoxicated politician hit another vehicle while traveling on I-65 and then left the scene, after which police located the senator and tried to pull him over. Initially, he ignored the pursuing officer, who signaled several times to have him to stop his vehicle. Eventually, Little did stop his 2008 GMC Sierra pickup near the exit to Alford Avenue in Hoover, according to police reports.

The 40-year-old democrat from Cullman, AL, has some serious charges pending against him, including driving under the influence and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Police also charged Little with failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, as well as operating a vehicle on an expired driver's license.

Although reports indicate that Little was arrested for DUI when he was 19 years old, he was acquitted of that 1988 charge. This being the case, his latest arrest could lead to a first DUI conviction, which means he could be facing up to a year in jail and a fine of $600 to $2,100. Additional penalties could also include a 90-day suspension of driving privileges if he is found guilty of driving a vehicle while intoxicated. For now, Senator Little will have to wait until May 18 for his appearance before a judge in Jefferson County.

As a high-profile public servant, it is a safe bet that the senator will have top-notch representation. But no matter what a person’s station in life, everybody deserves a quality legal defense. As skilled Alabama DUI Lawyers, we have vast experience defending DUI cases much like this one. If you or a relative has been arrested or received a summons for drunk driving, we recommend that you contact a knowledgeable attorney, such as can be found at Eversole Law.

Court postponed for Sen. Zeb Little, CullmanTimes.com, April 28, 2009

Alabama state Sen. Zeb Little now set to appear May 18 in Jefferson County District Court, AL.com, April 27, 2009

Senator holds leadership role despite DUI arrest, WSFA.com, April 6, 2009