Charged With DUI for Riding a Horse What the Law Says

Charged With DUI for Riding a Horse What the Law Says When you think of drunk driving and DUIs, you usually think of motor vehicles and serious penalties, including fines and jail time. However, last November, a Florida woman was arrested when she rode a horse on a busy Florida highway. At the time of the arrest, she was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. The woman was found riding a horse on Combee Road, which is located near North Crystal Road in Lakeland, Florida. Although she was not in a motor vehicle at the time of her arrest, Donna Byrne was charged with driving under the influence while operating a vehicle. At the time of this writing, her case is still pending. There is some question as to whether a horse fits within the legal definition of a “vehicle” for the purposes of Florida’s DUI statute. While most DUI arrests do not occur while the offender is riding a horse, any DUI charge, arrest, or conviction can result in very serious penalties and consequences. If you were arrested or charged with a DUI in Florida, the St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyers at Khonsari Law Group can review your case and may represent you.

Sustaining a DUI Charge or Arrest

If you are caught operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, as determined by chemical testing, you can be arrested or charged with a DUI in Florida. Police may arrest a person for DUI whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or more or is under the influence to the extent that the person’s normal faculties are impaired.

Florida DUI Defenses

If you’re currently facing a DUI case in Florida, it’s easy to feel like there is no hope. The police can be extremely aggressive when making DUI arrests and make it seem like the evidence they have against you is incontrovertible. It is important to understand, however, that the state needs to prove that you were drunk while driving beyond a reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction and that not every arrest leads to a conviction. Here are a few defenses that an attorney could potentially raise in a DUI case:

• Arguing that there was no justification for the initial stop, making any evidence gathered inadmissible
• Introducing evidence that you have a medical condition that can cause symptoms that may be mistaken for intoxication
• Showing that the officer that arrested lacked the training to determine whether you were intoxicated.

Call a St. Petersburg DUI Defense Lawyer Today for Legal Help with Your Case

Most DUI charges and arrests are not nearly as outlandish as the recent one in Lakeland, Florida. However, there is no disputing that, upon conviction, a DUI can result in serious fines and penalties. At Khonsari Law Group, our St. Petersburg DUI defense lawyers understand that a DUI arrest can be an extremely unpleasant experience. Our team of lawyers is ready and willing to assist you with your case. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a St. Petersburg, Florida DUI defense lawyer, please call us at (727) 269-5300 or contact us online.