Year: 2014

Crash in Upper Darby

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download (83)On Tuesday, December 16th, a police officer of Upper Darby, was struck by an alleged drunk driver. The police officer was taken to the hospital but was not seriously injured. There were no other details in the concerning the accident in news report.

The choice to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a very dangerous decision for both the driver and to other drivers on the road. But mistakes happen and people make poor decisions. The cost of a mistake like this can be cripplingly high. It can negatively effect both your job and you personal life. That is why it is necessary to secure a top of the line defense attorney. With the help of the right attorney, a person can make it through the charges without having their life ruined.

At the Law Offices of Kellis, we have over 20 years of DUI defense experience.… Read More

Michael Phelps Pleads Guilty to DUI

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download (82)People make mistakes, it is part of being human. It does not matter who you are or if you are well known. Towards the end of September, Olympic swimmer Micheal Phelps was stopped after leaving Horseshoe Casino. Police pulled him over shortly after he left the casino for speeding and swerving over the line. Phelps admitted to driving while intoxicated and when he took the breath test, he blew 0.14. He recently plead guilty to the charge in court and is attending rehab and has been participating in Alcoholics Anonymous.

When someone is facing charges related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, they need a skilled attorney. It does not matter who you are or how complex the charges might seem, an experienced and successful attorney can greatly increase the changes of the charges getting reduced or dropped. The attorneys at Kellis Law Firm specialize in helping people who have been charged with a DUI.… Read More

Ever Hear of a Wolfpack?

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download (59)Have you ever heard of a “wolfpack”? I don’t mean a pack of wolves. I’m talking about a group of police coming in to swarm an area suspected of having a lot of traffic violations. The official term for this is directed enforcement or selective enforcement, depending on the police force. They can catch a lot of violators, and they also have a psychological effect on normal citizens.

One recent wolfpack in Pinellas County, Florida ran from 8 PM to 5 AM and caught the following:

  • 16 DUI’s
  • 9 Driving while license suspended or revoked with knowledge
  • 2 No valid driver’s license
  • 3 Possession of controlled substance
  • 3 Felony violation of probation
  • 1 Grand theft
  • 23 Driving While License Suspended or Revoked with knowledge citations
  • 32 Speeding citations
  • 2 Seatbelt citations
  • 105 Citations for other moving and non-moving violations

Quite a number of citations and arrests for a 9 hour period!… Read More

Florida County Releases Officer “Wolfpack” to Catch DUI

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download (81)The holidays is a time to visit and celebrate with friends and family. With all of the traveling and the celebrations, many police departments increase their enforcement.

Such was the case in Pinellas County. Several police departments joined together to have a joint DUI wolfpack last Friday. The joint operation resulted in 100 citations and 16 arrests from driving while under the influence. There were several other charges including nine charges of driving with a suspended license, two charges of driving without a license, three charges of possession of controlled substances, three violations of probation, and one charge of grand theft.

When police increase their enforcement, the need for good attorneys increases. Mistakes can be made and it is important to have a good defense. The right attorney can help you get the charges reduced or dropped. That is why the attorneys at Kellis are your best choice. With their winning record and understanding of the legal system they are your best bet for a top quality defense.… Read More

Another Crowd Crash in California

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download (58)Looks like Southern California is having bad luck with crowd crashes this holiday season. Another one has been reported in the national news. A group of people were walking through a neighborhood to admire Christmas lights. A suspected DUI driver drifted into oncoming traffic and hit two parked cars where the crowd was, pinning them between the fence and one of the vehicles. A total of 13 people were injured in the crash. Only one is in the hospital now and she is in critical condition.

According to records, this isn’t his first run-in with vehicle crashes or DUI charges. The man was driving on a revoked license and had several DUIs from the previous year. The man even had a hit-and-run charge. At the time of the crash, the man was on probation for one of the prior convictions. He is now in jail awaiting trial.

Whenever someone comes to court with a really long rap sheet, it’s vital that they have very good legal defense.… Read More

Driver Plows into Party at Christmas Celebrations in California

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Earlier last week a driver, who was suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol, swerved around cars stopped at a red light. There were pedestrians walking in the crosswalk leaving from a Christmas play at a California church. The oncoming car struck some of the people in the crosswalk. The accident resulted in four deaths, including two elderly, a woman, and her child. In a police news conference, it was stated that they suspect that the drive was under the influence of prescription drugs.

No matter how dire the situation may seem, a skilled attorney can help. Having charges reduced or dropped is all possible with a good attorney. With their help, one can better navigating the legal system and construct a top quality defense. Everyone has the right to a lawyer when the are facing a DUI conviction.

At Kellis, our winning record is proof that our attorneys are highly skilled and successful.… Read More

Man in Elf on the Shelf Costume Arrested for DWI

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download (78)Holidays are a time of happiness and cheer. It is a time to cherish family and celebrate. But unfortunately, when celebrations take place, mistakes can happen.

Such a mistake supposedly happened in what reporters state was an “elf on the sauce.” According to reports, 23 year old Brian Chellis was found in a running car, passed out while in an elf outfit. He was woken by police whom say he was in a confused state. Police also say that there was an open beer in the vehicle. Nothing has been reported concerning the man’s blood alcohol content or any charges he might be facing.

When someone is dealing with legal issues that involve operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the most important step that they can take is to immediately contact a skilled attorney who has experience in dealing with such cases.

That is why Kellis Law Firm is such a good choice.… Read More

News Reporter Slips Up in Describing Suspect

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images (7)Most DUI stories never even hit the news. A simple crash with no injuries, or someone just barely over the limit, might not be gripping enough to grab a reporter’s attention. Yet one news story of a simple nature showed how the news media could shape opinion before a DUI trial.

If you listen to the video in the linked report, the reporter talks about how an alleged drunk driver crashed into a police car and shows footage of the wreck. The officer was released from the hospital and is fine. That’s pretty much the entire story, but tellingly the reporter first calls the suspect a drunk driver, and not an alleged one. This goes against journalistic practice. She did recognize the mistake and corrected herself, but for a potential juror the damage may already be done.

Jurors have to be as unbiased as possible before hearing a case in order to provide a clear decision.… Read More

Alleged DUI Accident in Southern CA Kills Four

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download (57)When an especially tragic incident happens, it’s common for police to immediately suspect DUI. Most people wouldn’t put themselves into those situations if they have control. However, there is always the chance that something else might have happened. That’s why an investigation and proper court procedure are so important.

Here’s one case where there may be extenuating circumstances, and it is indeed a tragedy. At a church in Redondo Beach, California, a children’s Christmas service was leaving. A group of the members were crossing the sidewalk, including several children. According to witnesses, a vehicle swerved around the stopped cars and crashed through the crowd. Twelve people were injured total, and now four of them are dead including a six-year-old boy.

The suspect was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI, but several people have stepped forward in the driver’s defense. According to DMV records, the driver had no previous criminal offenses and was handicapped.… Read More

Christmas DUI Crash in California Injures 11

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download (80)A man in California, Ismeal Soto, was arrested for driving with a revoked license and he was suspected of driving while under the influence. Police are reporting that 13 people were hurt when Soto struck a minivan pinned several people. Witnesses say that they saw a red pickup truck take a sharp left and strike a minivan and then hit another van. The first van spun into the group of people and the second one was pushed over a curb. The accident sent 11 to the hospital but did not result in any deaths. Soto is facing a felony DUI. Court records do show that Soto has been convicted in two other DUI cases.

No matter how the case looks, all sides of the story need to be herd. With the right defense attorney, a settlement can be negotiated or the charges can be disputed. Your first response to getting arrested for a DUI should be to call the Pennsylvania DUI lawyers at Kellis.… Read More