Boston police got a 2-for-1 bargain earlier this week in the area of drunk driving.
They stopped an automobile near Columbia Road and Holden Street in Roxbury. It was initially stopped, according to law enforcement, because it had not stopped at a red light.
As part of normal practice, the driver was asked to produce his license and registration
Guess what?
Whoops! The driver’s license had been revoked. Whoops again…the driver had an outstanding warrant for his arrest due to a pending drunk driving charge.
So, the driver was about to become a guest of the Commonwealth. He asked the officers if his passenger could drive the vehicle home so that it would not have to be impounded.
Whoops a third time!
Upon checking the passenger out, it was discovered that she, too, had a drunk driving warrant out for her arrest.
Ironically, there is nothing in the story to indicate that either arrestees were suspected of being intoxicated when they were arrested.
Over the past 21 years as a Boston criminal defense attorney, I have handled more than my fair share of drunk driving cases…not to mention cases in which an outstanding arrest warrant has “dropped” upon a semi-unsuspecting citizen.
As I have mentioned in the past, the Commonwealth takes drunk driving and driving to endanger cases quite seriously. Obviously, matters are made even worse when one has a warrant out for their arrest.
Once law enforcement finds out that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you are immediately placed under arrest.
“But Sam, it is a pretty busy Commonwealth. Surely they have better things to worry about than putting me in jail just because I forgot to show up in court to answer a mere vehicular crime.
Not so. The Commonwealth may be busy, but they still have time enough for you. Courts take defaults seriously and, often, if a person returns to court by way of handcuff, bail will be raised or completely revoked.
Now, if you put together that there is a warrant out for drunk driving, you do not have a valid license and you are still driving anyway…well, it does not make a particularly impressive picture.
On the other hand, if your aim is to create a challenge for whichever attorney is arguing bail on your behalf, it is a nice approach.
Speaking of which…if you wait to be brought into court unexpectedly by law enforcement your chances of steeper bail conditions go up. It is best to be proactive in these cases. Come back on your own terms, voluntarily. It will help a great deal. Want to improve your chances even more? Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help ease the way beforehand and appear with you when you return.
It’s more of a “prodigal son” type of approach.
If you want to discuss a criminal case with me, feel free to call me for a free initial consultation. I can be reached at t 617-492-3000.
In the meantime, have a great, safe and law-abiding weekend!
To view the original story about which this blog was based, please go to : http://bostonist.com/2011/02/01/boston_blotter_armed_robbers_caught.php