http://news.yahoo.com/idaho-inmates-sue-beer-wine-companies-1b-190211526--abc-news-topstories.html

"

Five Idaho inmates are blaming alcohol for the crimes that put them in prison and are suing some of the nation's top liquor and wine companies for $1 billion.

Keith Allen Brown, Steven Thompson, Woodrow Grant, Cory Baugh and Jeremy Brown all claim that alcohol led them to their crimes and they should have been warned of the beverages' addictive nature.

"If I was not an alcoholic, the shooting would never have happened," Jeremy Brown said in his affidavit. Brown, 34, is serving a 20- to 30-year sentence for a 2001 shooting that seriously injured a man."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/american-eagle-pilot-suspected-intoxicated-off-flight/story?id=18133679#.UOc0EHdj6So

"An American Eagle pilot who was preparing to fly from Minneapolis to New York City was arrested today after failing a breathalyzer test."

"The pilot was doing a pre-flight check when confronted by officers, Hogan said. A breathalyzer test was administered, although it was unclear whether it took place on board the aircraft."

"In Minnesota, the legal BAC limit for pilots is .04 -- much lower than the limit for drivers of .08."

Under FAA regulations, all pilots must inform the FAA if they are convicted of DWI or lose their license as a result of refusing a breath test. This applies even if the person was not flying at the time (Similar to the CDL rules apply even if you weren't in a commercial vehicle at the time)

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/statenewengland/988752-469/no-fatalities-on-nh-highways-over-new.html

"No fatalities were reported on New Hampshire highways over New Years Eve, according to state police."

"As a result of their enforcement efforts there were a total of 15 DUI arrests made and 10 other criminal arrests ."

It would be interesting to know how many DUI arrests are made on a typical night, or weekend night. Given the new laws that took effect today, you need to act sooner than before to obtain an attorney. Now that arraignments are shortly after your arrest, you have less time to hire a lawyer and get to work on your case before you are scheduled to go to court. Give us a call as soon as possible to discuss your options and defenses.

Have a safe and happy new years. Keep in mind, there are many changes to the DWI laws taking effect January 1, 2013. You can see a summary in my previous posting: http://www.nhdwiguy.com/Blog/Entry/nh-dwi-laws-2013.html

I was recently interviewed by NHPR regarding this law:

http://www.nhpr.org/post/nhs-new-dui-law-covering-prescription-drugs-goes-effect-jan-1

"defense attorneys in the state call the law over-reaching.  Attorney Dan Hynes, who specializes in DUI defense, predicts an increase in false arrests in 2013.

“I think it’s incredibly too broad and people taking prescription medications by a doctor may or may not know the effects of those medications.  I think it’s particularly difficult for police officers to determine whether someone’s under the influence of a certain drug.”"

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/statenewengland/988362-469/nh-police-stop-nearly-4000-vehicles-in.html

"New Hampshire state police say they made nearly 4,000 motor vehicle stops in efforts to curb highway collisions and fatalities during the two weekends before Christmas.

State police say they issued 834 speeding citations and nearly 2,500 warnings during the two weekends, when they bulked up their public presence as part of what's known as C.A.R.E. Life Saver Weekends.

Police also made 58 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and issued 34 citations to drivers with suspended licenses."