How Underage DUI or DWI can Affect your Child’s Future?

Everybody makes mistakes when they are young. Some of these mistakes involve alcohol. While some got away from these mistakes unscathed, others were not so lucky. One of the most dangerous alcohol-related offenses is underage DUI or DWI. Such cases, while usually committed by minors, is not as harmless as many think. In fact, it can negatively affect the rights and opportunities a child can otherwise enjoy. Here are some ways underage DUI or DWI can affect your child’s future:

• Reduced educational opportunities - This is seen as the biggest consequence of an underage DUI case. It can compromise a child’s ability to gain different kinds of educational opportunities. First, it makes it difficult for him to get accepted in a school or course he likes. Second, it can compromise his ability to get educational perks such as scholarships. Third, it can disqualify him from acquiring certifications, licenses, and the like. A DUI case, resolved or otherwise, can make it difficult for a child to reach his full academic potential.

• Reduced job opportunities - An underage DUI case not only affects a child’s educational opportunities, but it also affects his professional opportunities. In many ways, a case such as this makes it harder for him to apply for certain jobs. Some DUI cases remain on a person’s criminal record long after a case is resolved. It negatively affects his chances of getting hired, even if he has no other criminal records under his name. Having an underage DUI on the record will prove to be a huge disadvantage once he starts to look for a job in the future.

• Difficulty with the driver’s license - An individual with an underage DUI record will lose their driver's license.  It may be difficult to get the driver's license back. If he is able to get a license, heu can still be classified as a high-risk driver, which carries several disadvantages. For one, penalties for traffic offenses are much stiffer. It’s also more difficult and expensive to get car insurance. This will also limit the types of vehicles that he can drive.

• Car insurance issues - People with a history of DUI or DWI cases, even if they committed them when they are still underage, are at a disadvantage when it comes to getting car insurance. The problem is that insurance for car owners with a DUI record is more expensive – that is if his application is not rejected to begin with. Pre-existing car insurance policies can also be voided after a DUI offense.

• Increased personal problems - There is a negative stigma associated with a person who committed crimes such as DUI when he is still underage. First, it compromises his relationships with other people, most especially his parents and other close family members. Second, there’s always a risk of developing trust issues, because the common thinking is that someone with an underage DUI case cannot be trusted with certain responsibilities. Some people may also think that he is incapable of making sound decisions. Lastly, it can cause embarrassment, which can scar him for the rest of his life.

Those are just some of the issues that a person with a history of underage DUI or DWI faces. A child can have an otherwise spot-free criminal record, but that DUI case will give him loads of problems both now and in the future. The easiest way to avoid such problems is to avoid driving under the influence. However, should someone you know has an underage DUI case, it’s advisable to ask for legal help to learn more about his or her legal rights. Robert is ready to fight to protect your child’s rights. As an experienced juvenile DUI attorney, I can provide my legal expertise in your case, contact me today. Contact Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law, directly by email or by calling 480-860-4321 now for a free initial consultation.  

Additional Helpful Resources Depending on the Case Type:

• Misdemeanor DUI Lawyer Assistance
• Felony DUI Attorney Help

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Useful Tips on How to Prevent Party Guests from Driving Drunk

Hosting a party is fun and exciting. However, the supposedly successful party may turn into a tragedy once a party guest drives under the influence of alcohol. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, a non-profit organization, reported that 28 people die daily due to crashes brought about by drunk driving. It is also reported that a little more than 10,000 people died and around 290,000 were injured because of the crashes in 2015 alone. If this happens, there may be cases where the social host will bear the responsibility of the consequences of party guests driving under the influence (DUI). This article will list down tips on how to prevent party guests from DUI.

Before the Party

Plan activities ahead of the party so you can easily monitor the status of your party guests.  

Prepare the right amount of alcohol

Being the host, it is vital to know how much alcohol will be served during the party. Always measure how much alcohol will be put into mixed drinks and punches. Furthermore, a shortage of alcohol is preferable than a surplus of them, since many party-goers will be tempted to drink more, knowing they still have more to consume.  

Assign a reliable driver or use public transportation

If guests come in groups, it is advisable to select a reliable driver who will agree not to consume alcohol. However, he or she must know his or her responsibilities, such as knowing the addresses and emergency contact info of everybody he or she is driving for, as well as having a valid license to drive.  In case none of the guests are available to act as the driver, then using public transportation will be helpful. Riding on a bus, taxi, or train is an affordable and easy option for the party guests to get home safely.  

During the Party

Provide substitute drinks

The first tip is actually to prevent the party guests from drinking too much alcohol.  Who said parties are limited to intoxicating drinks? It is important to keep water, juice and soda available. These beverages could slow the consumption of alcohol.  

Serve heavy meals first

Another tip on how to prevent party guests from DUI is to let them eat dinner or heavy meals prior to drinking alcohol. Since they will likely have a fuller stomach, they can also reduce their alcohol intake. Additionally, encouraging them to eat snacks while drinking alcohol will also reduce their alcohol consumption.  

Provide alcoholic drinks early

This is another option. By serving alcoholic drinks earlier, party guests will have more time to get sober. Furthermore, guests will enjoy drinking sessions better, knowing that they will not drive drunk. The alternative drinks will come handy after the drinking session is over, buying more time for party guests to get sober. Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous. It puts the lives of not only the drivers, but also those of other motorists and pedestrians, at risk. Designated drivers, less consumption of alcohol and wise choices ensure that party guests will go home safely and will not drive after drinking. As an individual, knowing how to prevent party guests from DUI is a must before becoming a social host. If a party guest does happen to drive and gets a DUI, you want to hire an experienced DUI Lawyer in Scottsdale to help you. Robert personally answers his own telephone and he will personally handle your case. Contact Robert A. Dodell, Attorney at Law, directly by email or by calling 480-860-4321 now for a free initial consultation.
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Why Hire Robert Dodell to Help with your Adoption Case?

While adoption is a wonderful way of opening your home to a child or children in need, you should also realize that it is a complicated legal process that can also be full of pitfalls for prospective parents. An attorney, who is knowledgeable about adoption law, can help parents navigate the process so that they can have peace of mind, knowing that they enjoy legal security when they start life with their new child. What an adoption lawyer can bring is knowledge of state law to prevent legal problems later. Adoption and family law is different in every state, so it helps to have a lawyer who is familiar with the laws and the adoption process in your area. In an improperly managed adoption, for instance, the birth mother may later change her mind. The baby may also be born with persistent medical conditions. By involving your lawyer from the start of the process, even before you have selected a baby, you ensure that the adoption will go smoothly. The lawyer will anticipate the various scenarios that may take place and make provisions for them. Once the prospective parents find a baby or a birth mother, the lawyer will act as the mediator between the parties and, once there is an agreement, he will draw up the legal documents. One of the major benefits of using an adoption attorney is that the prospective parents can undertake an independent adoption, instead of going through an agency. By doing so, the parents have more freedom in choosing a baby or a birth mother, whereas an agency will take it upon themselves to match parents and birth mothers or babies, leaving both parties with no choice. In addition, by conducting the adoption independently, the adoptive parents can avoid the long waiting periods that those who work with agencies have to endure. It is also the duty of the adoption attorney to come to the hospital when the birth mother is due to give birth, ensuring that consent forms and other legal documents are signed to terminate her rights legally. They will deal with the hospital staff, who may not be familiar with the legal adoption process to ensure that the handover of the baby goes smoothly. The attorney can also prevent another party from coming in and trying to convince the birth mother to change her mind at the last minute and give the baby to other parents. Another part of the process that the attorney will handle is to locate the birth father and ask him to sign a consent form as well. If this does not happen, there is a risk that the father may show up at the last minute and derail the adoption process by claiming his legal rights over the baby.    The other things that an adoption attorney can help you with include explaining to you how adoption methods work as well as the relevant adoption law in your state, familiarizing you with your rights as prospective adoptive parents, helping you determine what costs are involved with adoption, assessing the risks involved, and providing you with the resources you need to create an adoption plan, which is legally binding. If you choose to work with an adoption agency, the attorney will review the contract to ensure that your rights are protected. If you are planning to enter into post-placement arrangement with the birth parents, an adoption attorney can discuss what your options are as well as how to ensure that your interests, and those of the baby, are safeguarded. While Robert A. Dodell’s area of specialization is criminal defense law, he also has extensive interest in helping parents when it comes to adoption. Atty. Dodell has defended juveniles and adults in criminal cases, and has handled adoption matters, guardianship and juvenile dependency cases. I have worked extensively with parents who have dealt with the court system and the Department of Child Safety.   He is a member of the Arizona State Bar, and is licensed to practice in Arizona State, as well as in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the District Court of Arizona. If you are interested in asking for Atty. Dodell’s help with your adoption case, you may contact his office for a free consultation, so you can discuss your case.  
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Step-Parent Adoption – Process

The role of a step-parent is very often one filled with minimal glory. Absent the biological parent, the step-parent’s role becomes essential to the emotional and financial well-being of the child, though devoid of the legal rights to fully carry out that responsibility. The decision to adopt a step-child is monumental in nature. It provides both the step-parent and especially the child a sense of long-term stability and belonging. Adoption also enables the new parent the ability to make educational, financial and medical decisions. The adopted child also has the right of inheritance and survivor benefits, the same as a biological child. A step-parent adoption usually involves two steps, unless the birth parent is deceased. The first step, legal termination of parental rights, can be accomplished with the birth parent’s consent or evidence of a birth parent’s abandonment and/or inability to parent. A severance hearing before a judge, culminating in a signed order terminating parental rights, is necessary prior to the adoption. The second step is the adoption itself. The step-parent’s spouse consents to the adoption of the child. Typically, a homestudy, fingerprints and step-parent background check are processed; these may be essential to the judge’s approval of the adoption. Finally, a new birth certificate is issued with the adoptive parent’s name. The entire process, dependent on how complicated the situation is, can take a couple of months to several months. The end result, to provide a child you love with the stability and permanency he or she needs, is worth the time and effort.

Step-Parent Adoption – Process See more on: robert dodell owner of azcrimlaw