Month: July 2017

Young handsome man passed out on sofa with pizza slice and beer can in his hand in messy room after party

The Levels of Intoxication

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

Most people are aware that alcohol affects everyone differently. We all have that friend that brags that they can “drink anyone under the table,” and they are right. They seem to be able to consume drink after drink without becoming sloppy drunk, while another friend has two drinks and is stumbling for the door.

While this is certainly an example, it is not the rule. People behave in a general way depending on their level of intoxication, giving law enforcement and medical professionals a good idea of just how drunk someone may be. Here are the levels of intoxication, beginning with the level at which it is illegal to drive, and how a typical person may behave:

0.08 – 0.09 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): The person is slightly impaired. They have some difficulty maintaining their balance, their reaction time is slowed, and their vision and speech are no longer typical.… Read More

close up of male friends drinking and clinking beer bottles at home

The Effects of Alcohol On a Teenage Mind

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

The adolescent brain is not a mature one. There is a reason that teenagers behave the way that they do, and it is because their brains are still developing. In fact, the human brain continues to develop into the mid 20s. The changing brain affects all aspects of a teenager’s behavior, from emotional intelligence to good judgment.

Teenagers, due to their developing brains, cannot handle alcohol in the same way an adult can. Not only can teenagers not handle alcohol appropriately, but alcohol can have a very real impact on the brain itself. Here is how alcohol affects the different areas of the teenage brain.

Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex takes information from a person’s senses and interprets it appropriately. Alcohol slows down this interpretation. This means that a teenager may see a person in the road, for instance, and fail to brake in time because the brain is not able to quickly take that vision and process it as a hazard.… Read More

Women taking pills inside her car while driving

DUI Versus DUI-Drugs In Pennsylvania

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

When you are charged with driving under the influence in Pennsylvania, you face stiff penalties. Even if the DUI is your first, you could be facing jail time, fines and court costs. While it’s true that many judges will take it a bit easier on someone without a criminal history, being arrested for DUI should not be taken lightly.

Driving under the influence, unlike what many people believe, does not strictly pertain to alcohol. A person can be charged with DUI if a law enforcement officer believes that the person is under the influence of any substance that has impaired the person’s ability to drive safely. That means that a person can be arrested for DUI if the office believes the person is under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs.

When the operator of a vehicle is charged with driving under the influence of drugs, or DUI-D, they are facing very serious consequences.… Read More

Judge hitting gavel with paper at wooden table closeup

Should I Argue for a Better Plea Bargain?

Posted by Steven E. Kellis on

Whether you watch crime dramas on television or have experience within the criminal justice system, chances are that you know at least something about plea bargains. A plea bargain is widely accepted as a way of avoiding harsher penalties after being accused of a crime. Even innocent people accept plea bargains as a way to quicken the pace of the criminal trial process and, at time, stay out of prison.

If you have been charged with a DUI, you may not want to face the uncertainty of a trial. That said, a plea bargain isn’t in your best interest if you don’t have a strong attorney arguing on your behalf. While some plea bargains will benefit the accused, some can make things worse. Here’s a brief rundown on what you should know.

Should I Accept the Standard Deal?

In many court systems throughout the country, there are what are known as standardized plea deals.… Read More