Mad Dog Bites
Over the Limit. Under Arrest!
The Annual Labor Day DUI Crackdown Begins.
August 25, 2008
Law enforcement agencies across the country are participating in the annual "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" crackdown this upcoming Labor Day weekend. Mississippi is no exception:
That is why Newton Police Department announced today they will be joining with thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation from August 15 throughout the Labor Day holiday to take part in the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown on impaired driving.
“We will increase patrols, safety checkpoints, as well as sobriety checkpoints and other measures aimed at ridding our streets and highways of impaired drivers,” Taylor said. “Efforts of this magnitude are conducted with one thing in mind being public safety.”
“Make no mistake. Our message is simple. No matter what you drive, a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle, if we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions, No excuses,” said Newton Police Chief Harvey Curry and DUI Officer Taylor. “We will be out in force conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and using undercover officers to get more drunk drivers off the road and save lives that might otherwise be lost.”***
The national Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. impairing driving crackdown is a prevention program organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that focuses on combining high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity. This year’s effort is supported by $11 million in paid-national advertising to help put everyone on notice that if they are caught driving impaired, they will be arrested.
Source: http://www.thenewtonrecord.com/local/local_story_233122439.html
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Actually, I would rephrase some of the language in that article to state, "If you are caught allegedly driving impaired, you will be arrested, but not yet convicted in a court of law."
The Mad Dog
Think you've had a long day
August 15, 2008
Some people take a little longer than others to learn their lesson.
Less than 24 hours after being charged with DUI, a Dalton man was arrested on DUI a second time in Murray County.
Jones was released from the Murray County Jail Wednesday morning on charges of DUI, underage consumption and laying drags. He had been arrested late Tuesday night by a Murray County sheriff’s deputy after he “laid a drag” at the intersection of Highway 225 and Highway 52 Alternate in the BMW, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. The report said Jones “admitted to drinking an alcoholic beverage while under 21 years of age.”
When pulled over by Chatsworth police Wednesday night, an officer noticed Jones’ eyes were bloodshot and asked if he had been drinking, according to the Chatsworth police report. Jones said, “No.”
Asked to take a breathalyzer test by the Chatsworth officer, Jones refused, according to the report. When the officer asked him to stand on one leg, “Mr. Jones swayed while he was balancing,” the report said. “Mr. Jones also used his hands to balance while performing this test, raising them over six inches from his side.” Source: The Dailey Citizen
Most people would probably stay at home the night after spending the previous one in jail.
Committe set to study DNA evidence
August 12, 2008
Mississippi is playing catch up with yet another important legal issue.
The director of the Mississippi Innocence Project has been chosen to lead a legislative task force that will study better methods for collecting and preserving DNA evidence.
The 23-member panel is expected to present a report by Dec. 1. The members will recommend statewide standards for identification, collection and preservation of DNA, as well as training for law enforcement officers and others who handle that kind of evidence.
Mississippi has no law for DNA collection and preservation so there is no uniformity for how the evidence is handled. Source: Clarion Ledger.
It seems Mississippi is rightfully concerned about the cost involved with collecting and testing; however, if the difference between innocence and spending the rest of your life in prison or being put to death could be determined through DNA, how concerned would you be with the monetary aspect.
Should have chosen door number two
August 08, 2008
You may want to know whose door you are knocking on if you need directions.
Officials say 37-year-old Candy Klein was allegedly driving while intoxicated when she got lost around 4 a.m. and stopped at a home to get directions. But the house belonged to a sheriff's deputy. The policewoman inside believed Klein was drunk and wouldn't let her drive away. Authorities say that resulted in a wrestling match. Klein was jailed on charges of felony drunken driving and assaulting the deputy. Source: ABC12
I guess the only directions she got were to jail.
State begins to look for new autopsy expert
August 06, 2008
Mississippi is going to fill the position of state medical examiner after a ten plus year absence.
A day after barring county coroners from using Dr. Steven Hayne to perform autopsies, Mississippi's public safety commissioner said he hopes to hire a state medical examiner in six months and the embattled pathologist could apply.
Simpson said Tuesday the only reason Hayne was removed from the list was because the state is hiring a state medical examiner. That post has been vacant since the mid-1990s. Instead, Hayne has done most of the autopsies.
In addition to a state medical examiner, Simpson said he expects to hire two assistants, all board-certified pathologists, in the next three to five months.
While Simpson said Hayne could apply for the $200,000-a-year position, the pathologist does not meet the qualifications of being certified in forensic pathology through the American Board of Pathology, an affiliate of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Hayne is certified in anatomical and clinical pathology, but he failed the exam for forensic pathology in 1989. Source: Clarion Ledger
Ironically, the public safety commissioner would allow the recently release pathologist to apply for a position without the necessary qualifications. One can only hope the certification is a prerequisite.
Mississippi pathologist removed
August 05, 2008
Some cases throughout the state may now be in jeopardy considering this termination.
Counties no longer can hire Dr. Steven Hayne for their autopsies because Mississippi officials removed him Monday from a list of designated pathologists.
On Monday, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety faxed a letter to Hayne informing him of his removal.
A news conference is slated for 1:30 p.m. today for Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson to field questions on the matter.
Hayne has said he performs 1,500 autopsies a year. The National Association of Medical Examiners has limited pathologists to fewer than 250 autopsies a year, but Hayne has said such a number is arbitrary and that others have done more than him. Source: Clarion Ledger
Only time will tell how this will effect the hundreds if not thousands of cases still pending.
Hall of Famer apologizes for DUI arrest
August 01, 2008
Baseball references from a hall of fame quarterback.
Moon, who on Tuesday pleaded guilty to negligent driving after being arrested in December for DUI for the second time in eight months . . . "It's kind of like three strikes and you're out. . ."
Moon was sentenced to two days in jail or five days of home detention, as well as fined $1,000, though $500 was suspended. Source: The Olympian
It does not matter who you are, you are not immune from being arrested for DUI.
Cop Charged with DUI following Car Accident!
July 28, 2008
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So you thought the cops never drink and drive? Think again:
A Sandy Springs police officer was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Saturday night after a car accident in Rockdale County.
Sandy Springs police say police Sergeant Vernon Sands was involved in a single-car wreck and is on administrative leave.
Source: MyFox Atlanta
Remember, innocent until proven guilty. If only that applied to everyone else charged with DUI.