Duval County Women Convicted of DUI Manslaughter

March 10th, 2010

A women who killed a man driving under the influence was sentenced today to 15 years.

Della Foss, 47, was on combination of many drugs including Ambien, Xanax and Cocaine when she drove her car off the road in June 2008 and killed Mr. Sewell as he walked to work along the Trout River Bridge.

“I didn’t know Mr. Sewell, but I do know that there’s a hole in your family that can never be filled,” Foss said while crying. “For that, I want to tell you how sorry I am for what happened.”

Richard Davis, who’s engaged to Foss, said the system failed his fianceé.

“We’re very disappointed in the public defender’s office,” Davis said. “We have no belief that there’s any such thing as a fair trial in Duval County without money.”

It is believed this is the first case in the state of Florida in which someone has been convicted of DUI manslaughter due in part to Ambien.

Obviously no drunk driving charge is to be taken lightly nowadays, but penalties are even more serious if you were involved in an accident or vehicular homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are facing DUI charges in Jacksonville or Duval County we can assist you. Whether you need help retaining your drivers license at your administrative review hearing, avoiding a DUI conviction on your record, avoiding jail time or getting an old DUI conviction expunged we have the experience and knowledge to make it happen if anyone can. However, we ask you contact us as soon as possible as our early intervention can greatly effect the results we are able to achieve.

Duval County Office
841 Prudential Drive, 12th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-610-6545

I know it can be tough choosing a lawyer to represent you after a Jacksonville DUI arrest. Because of this I highly encourage you to view the success Musca Law has already had with DUI cases in Jacksonville.

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DUI Checkpoint Video

March 10th, 2010

As you will see in the video this is not a Jacksonville checkpoint, but from Chicago Heights, IL. However, this is what we can expect from DUI checkpoints down in Florida as well:

Notice how the man in the leather jacket says, ” I had a couple.”, before he is, in turn, arrested. This is never a good idea from a legal standpoint. In addition to this he seemed to fail the sobriety tests and you can see he blew a .093 (over the .08 legal limit) in the breathalyzer. You may think this arrest is an open and shut conviction, but think again. A DUI attorney could help him protect his rights.

Florida DUI Checkpoints – The 3 Minute Rule

The state of Florida concedes that DUI checkpoints are constitutional and valid. The Supreme Court acknowledges that DUI checkpoints do in fact constitute a “seizure” relative to the Fourth Amendment yet are constitutionally acceptable with evident effectiveness and minimal intrusion. Hence the three minute rule where every vehicle that enters a designated checkpoint site cannot be detained in traffic for more than three minutes. In the event of exceeding the three minute time allowed, the officer in charge must temporarily suspend the diversion of vehicles into the checkpoint lanes and begin a systematic selection of vehicles to be stopped at the discretion of the checkpoint commander. Vehicles will then proceed back into the checkpoint lanes when the period becomes less than three minutes.

Please, if you have been accused of a drunk driving offense in the Jacksonville area give us the chance to educate you about your DUI charge. Call 904-610-6545 to schedule a free consultation.

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Jacksonville DUI: Avoid Losing Your License

March 8th, 2010


You only have 10 days from the date of your Florida DUI arrest to request a formal administrative review hearing regarding the retention of your driving privileges (keeping your drivers license). Failure to request a hearing will result in an automatic 6 month-1 year suspension of your drivers license.

For more information on Florida administrative review hearings or your ability to retain your drivers license after a Jacksonville DUI arrest, please schedule a free confidential consultation:

Jacksonville Office
841 Prudential Drive, 12th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-610-6545
Free Consultation!
Duval County DUI Attorneys

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Jacksonville DUI Case Results

March 6th, 2010

The Jacksonville, Florida legal team at Musca Law gets results and below are some of the latest DUI case results.

Internal Ref# 09-47618MM

Man Arrested for 3rd DUI, Passed Out at Wheel, in the Middle of Traffic, With Car Running; No DUI Conviction!

Client was found by officers passed out behind the wheel, in an active left hand lane, with his car running.   When the officers made contact with the driver, his head was leaning on the head rest, with his eyes completely closed.  The officer shouted at the driver with no response, at this point the officer noticed that the vehicle was in drive, with the driver’s foot on the brake.  The officer reached in the vehicle, placed the car in park, and removed the keys from the ignition.  This had disturbed the driver, who was now awake.  The officer asked the driver to exit the vehicle, where he stumbled, and was unable to stand straight.  Field sobriety exercises were administered and completed poorly.  Our client refused the breath test, and was then taken into custody, and charged with DUI.

RESULT: After diligent negotiations, we were able to obtain a No DUI Conviction!

Internal Ref# 09-CT-507011

DUI 2nd Offender, Facing Jail Time, Blows. 11; Avoids 5 Year Driver’s License Revocation, Receives No Jail, and No DUI Conviction

As officers were completing a traffic stop, a dark colored Ford F-150 passed by at the regular posted speed when it failed to yield for an emergency.  During that time, the patrol units had their rear lights activated, which were illuminated from all angles.  The Ford F-150 failed to provide sufficient distance between vehicles, where the driver squeezed between passing traffic and the patrol car, prompting the officer to make a traffic stop, in violation of the Move Over Law.  When in contact with the driver, the officer noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his facial area, bloodshot watery eyes, and slurred speech.  When asked to step out of the vehicle the driver collapsed and fell to the ground.  The officer had asked how much he had to drink, where he responded “I had 7-8 beers!” and “I guess that I am over the legal limit?”  Field sobriety checks were administered, where our client had failed.  After a 20 minute observation period, two breath samples were read, one at .09 and another at .11.  Our client was arrested and charged with DUI and cited for the Mover Over Law violation.

RESULT: We filed a Motion to Suppress based on a violation of the multi-jurisdictional mutual aid agreement procedures and no probable cause for the stop.  We were able to convince the State to amend the DUI 2nd, resulting in NO DUI CONVICTION!

Internal Ref# 09-CT-3845

Client Loses Control of Car, Flips Over Another Car, Severely Damages Both Vehicles, and Fails Field Sobriety Exercises; No DUI Conviction!

A Collier County Sheriff’s Officer was dispatched to the scene of an accident involving an overturned vehicle.  Our client had been driving 30 mph when she lost control of her vehicle coming from around a corner.  When approached by an officer she was confused as to what had happened and was worried about the well being of her dog.  She had refused to be treated or transported by EMS.  It was reported by the officer that our clients pupils were dilated and that she had an odor of alcohol emitting from her facial area.  The officer asked if she had been drinking and she volunteered that she had three glasses of wine, and had taken the Bi Polar medication Clonopin.  Our client performed the field sobriety exercises and performed poorly. Our client was then handcuffed (double locked) and charged with DUI –Property Damage.

RESULT: We convinced the State to drop the DUI charge.  No DUI Conviction!

Internal Ref # 09-82CFMA

Client Charged with 4TH DUI; Carrying a Firearm, Curses Police Officer, Refuses Breathalyzer; ECAPES JAIL SENTENCE!

Officers responded to Applebee’s Restaurant in reference to a disturbance by an impaired individual.  Contact was made with staff when the officer was advised that a female was causing a disturbance at the restaurant, but was getting ready to leave.  Our client proceeded towards the door when the officers observed that she appeared impaired.   After leaving the building and allegedly staggering to her car, she proceeded to enter the vehicle on the driver’s side and drove out of the parking lot.  Officers proceeded to follow behind her, where they conducted a traffic stop.  Officers requested that she take field sobriety exercises and a breath test. Our client refused.  She was then asked if she was carrying a weapon, where she responded; “I have a firearm on me right now”.  At that point a DUI arrest was made where our client was allegedly hostile, and uttered curse words at the officer.

RESULT: After diligent negations, our client received probation with minimal fines and NO JAIL or PRISON SENTENCE.

Internal Ref#  CT-23578-W

Soldiers Military Clearance Hindered for Failure to Appear in Court on DUI Charge; Warrant Issued; No DUI Conviction!

Our client had been pulled over for driving without headlights, which led to a DUI investigation.  When the officer approached the vehicle he had observed a strong odor of alcohol, however, his speech was not slurred.  Our client participated in the field sobriety tests and performed poorly.  He blew a .17 on the breath test.  Client was arrested and charged with DUI.  He was later arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court.  He contacted our office to resolve the case as it was causing issues with his Security Clearance with the United States Military.

RESULTS: During negotiations the State offered the minimum sanctions, but were convinced that they could apply the sanctions from the current date, instead of the earlier date, where the fines were lower and did not require probation.  The attorney in this case informed the Court of his intent to file a motion to stay, as the client was stationed overseas.  Instead of staying procedures, the court decided that DUI sanctions were close to impossible to complete while stationed abroad during war time.  The State accepted these terms.  NO DUI CONVICTION!

Internal Ref#  09-CT-508023

Man Stopped At random Sobriety Checkpoint Blows .121 and .119
No DUI Conviction!

Client was stopped at a DUI checkpoint, where an officer observed that he made a wide right turn and slammed on his brakes.  After making contact with the driver, the officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the facial area.  When asked if he had anything to drink, he said “a few beers down town”.  He had extremely slurred speech and was stuttering over his words.  He was then asked where he was going, where he responded that he was “just driving around”.  He was then asked to step out of the car, and a request was made to participate in a number of field sobriety exercises, and a breathalyzer, where he blew a .121 and .119.  He was then placed under arrest for DUI.

RESULT: A Motion to Suppress was filed challenging the constitutionality of the checkpoint; with the inclusion of a clear video.  The State offered DUI School and probation in lieu of the Motion to Suppress.  No DUI Conviction!

Click here to see more DUI Case Results….

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Attorney John Musca

March 6th, 2010

Jacksonville, Florida DUI attorney John Musca has devoted his legal career to criminal defense.  He decided to open his own comprehensive criminal defense firm in 2001 after serving as a Public Defender in the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

His practice has grown tremendously, now operating nine offices throughout the state with plans to ultimately offer full-service criminal defense to all of Florida.  Mr. Musca is committed to offering outstanding service to his clients and attributes the success of his law practice to the satisfaction of his clients and the diligence of the Florida criminal defense lawyers in the office.  He describes his work as a criminal defense attorney as his passion, rather than just his job.

During his career as a private criminal defense attorney and former Public Defender, Mr. Musca has handled thousands of criminal cases from beginning to end and tried over 100 cases.  He believes in an aggressive defense philosophy, focusing on clients’ strengths and the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.   He is licensed to practice law in the state of Florida and the United States Federal Court, Middle District of Florida.

Mr. Musca completed his undergraduate studies cum laude at Boston College in 1994 and received his Juris Doctor from the Case Western University School of Law in 1997.  He speaks Spanish fluently and has attended international language and legal studies overseas at the world-renowned “Instituto Internacional” in Madrid, Spain.  Additionally, he is involved in public interest legal work with local organizations that provide services to impoverished clients.

Mr. Musca founded Musca Law with the goal of providing the highest quality criminal defense representation.  He fights hard on your behalf – and he fights to win.

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Jacksonville DUI Lawyers

March 6th, 2010

Our law firm has devoted a significant portion of its practice to defending individuals charged with DUI and other drunk driving related crimes in the Jacksonville, Florida area.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is a serious offense. A DUI may cause you to lose you drivers’ license, to receive an exorbitant fine, to watch your insurance rates skyrocket, and may even cause you to lose your freedom.

The penalties are even more serious if you were involved in an accident or vehicular homicide while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

You should know you only have 10 days from the date you were arrested for DUI to request an administrative review hearing to retain your driving privileges.

For more information on Florida DUI laws, or if you have been arrested for DUI, please schedule a free confidential consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney by calling us at one of the phone numbers below, e-mailing us, or filling out our intake form on our Contact Us page. Time is important; experience does matter.

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Women Fails Field Sobriety Test, Arrested for DUI (Video)

March 5th, 2010

As you will see in the Video below a women is arrested for drunk driving after she miserably fails here field sobriety tests:

While a police officer will rarely tell you this, you have the right to refuse a field sobriety test in Florida. If the officer is not equipped with a breathalyzer and you refuse the field sobriety tests they must decide if their “observations” amount to sufficient probable cause for an arrest. If you have been accused of drunk driving in Florida you have the right to a trial.

Much of the time when authorities arrest Jacksonville citizens for drunk driving they didn’t have right to do so in the first place according to the constitution. If you intend to yield a not guilty verdict from your DUI charge you would be well advised to contact a Jacksonville DUI attorney at Musca Law to defend you.

The DUI Lawyers at the Musca Law Firm have over 100 years combined experience and have proved their expertise by providing Florida DUI case results online.

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Update: Mother Killed on Buckman Bridge Laid to Rest

March 4th, 2010

A local mother tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash on the Buckman Bridge on Saturday night was laid to rest today.

A funeral for Luma Kajy, 41, was held in Detroit, where her family is from.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Kajy was killed when another car hit her SUV, causing it to flip over and plummet 100 feet off the bridge and into the St. Johns River.

Troopers arrested the women SUV driver, 31, and charged her with DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident causing a death. She’s being held on $1 million bond and faces up to 30 years in prison.

This truly is tragic, but setting all emotion aside this suspect needs legal assistance. DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident warrants some very harsh punishment and she will get the maximum without a Jacksonville DUI attorney on here side.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Jacksonville we welcome you to contact our Duval County criminal defense lawyers for a free and confidential consultation. RIP Luma Kajy.

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Jacksonville Bridge Death Leads to DUI Manslaughter Charge

March 2nd, 2010

Luma Kajy, who moved to Jacksonville from Michigan 12 years ago, was killed Saturday night in a collision on the Buckman Bridge where her vehicle was, reportedly, slammed into by another car. This impact forced Kajy’s car off the bridge, leaving it to plunge 100 feet into the St. Johns River. It was recovered around 5 hours later. The driver of the other vehicle is charged with DUI manslaughter.

The police say the suspect left the scene of the accident but was followed by a witness. The suspect, female, 31, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and DUI manslaughter, according to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office booking documents. The accident was Pringle’s fourth since November 2008, and the second in which she was charged with leaving the scene.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and the Navy put three boats into the water about 10 p.m. to search, fire spokesman John Bracey said.

Rescuers pulled Kajy’s SUV from the river at 3:10 a.m. Sunday. Divers located the vehicle under 45 feet of water about 1:20 a.m., stated the report.

A DUI manslaughter charge, and leaving the scene of an accident warrants some harsh maximum penalties, not to mention this isn’t her first DUI charge. The suspect could face a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Schedule a free consultation with a Jacksonville DUI Attorney at Musca law if you have been arrested for drunk driving in Jacksonville to learn more about your DUI charge.

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Welcome to Jacksonville DUI

March 1st, 2010

Welcome to the Launch of Jacksonville DUI, a Musca Law blog.

Stop in here often or subscribe to never miss a Jacksonville sobriety checkpoint, Jacksonville DUI arrest, Florida DUI bill or Florida drunk driving law change.

If you have been arrested for a drunk driving arrest in Jacksonville time is of essence when it comes to contacting a lawyer. It should be known you have only 10 days to schedule a hearing to avoid automatic license suspension. Read more about Florida License Revocation.

Without a lawyer to guide you through this process you will be blind to what comes next. Call a Jacksonville DUI attorney at Musca Law Now:

841 Prudential Drive, 12th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-610-6545

The attorneys at our firm have handled many Florida DUI cases with success.

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