Civil damage lawsuits and criminal law deaths, OWI and drunk driving

For good advice see a lawyer and if you have questions about this blog, the law or your case write or call me directly. Steve Lombardi, sdlombardi@aol.com and 515-222-1110.

Criminal law often intersects with personal injury work, workers' compensation and other areas where injury and unemployment happen. As a guest blogger, Todd Miler is experienced in this area, cares about his clients and doing the best job for the person who has been arrested. If you have been arrested or charged with OWI, DWI or drunk driving and need direction or advice visit this webpage.

Drunk Driver on the Highway – The way to get arrested

Teenage drinking - What is a lethal limit of alcohol?

CENTER OF ALCOHOL STUDIES AT RUTGERS

http://alcoholstudies.rutgers.edu/onlinefacts/od.html

Police in Little Compton, Rhode Island responded to a call of driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent. The suspect was at his mother’s home. When police arrived at the home, the man, 39-year-old was extremely unsteady on his feet, seemingly drunk. On the way to the stationhouse the man slumped over and became unresponsive. At the hospital his blood alcohol level was measured at 0.578.

The Bristol Phoenix story goes on to say the Little Compton Police believe that to be the highest level recorded in Rhode Island and it’s believed to reach lethal limits. That’s a safe assumption to say the least.

I’m not sure anyone can say what the highest limit is but it’s safe to say this BAC of 0.578 could certainly be lethal. It’s surprising that it wasn’t lethal. As for the highest level I found a story from Sofia, Bulgaria in which a 25-year old driver after drinking 20 liters of beer was measured to have a BAC of 0.851. That story states a lethal limit is 0.40. Rutgers University’s Center for Alcohol Studies concludes the LD to be between 0.40 and 0.50%. It’s different for every individual and depends on the situation. This range has been determined from examining those who have died from alcohol poisoning.

How Much is Too Much?

Scientists use the term "lethal dose" (LD) to describe the dose (or in the case of alcohol, the concentration) that produces death in half the population (LD:50). Most authorities agree that blood alcohol concentrations in the 0.40 - 0.50% range meet the requirements for the LD:50. The blood alcohol concentration is the percentage of alcohol in the blood that results after alcohol is absorbed from the stomach into the blood supply. Obviously, studies of lethal dosage cannot be tested empirically in the laboratory, so the LD:50 for alcohol is estimated from post-mortem cases in which alcohol poisoning was found to be the primary cause of death. However, there are documented cases of fatal overdoses from alcohol at blood alcohol concentrations lower than 0.40%. To place this in perspective, a 100-pound woman or man who consumed 9-10 standard drinks, respectively, in less than an hour would be in the LD:50 range. A 200-pound man would have to consume about 5-6 drinks per hour for 4 hours to reach the LD:50. Although such high rates of consumption are atypical of most situations, participating in drinking "games" or club "initiations" often involves highly unregulated alcohol consumption. Impaired judgment from intoxication, coupled with large amounts of alcohol, is a potentially fatal combination.

LIBRARY – CENTER OF ALCOHOL STUDIES AT RUTGERS

How do you recognize the symptoms of alcohol LD?

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning start with nausea and progress to vomiting. The person will then pass out, be difficult or impossible to awaken, not be responsive to painful stimuli (such as pinching), have slow shallow breathing and the reflexes are absent.

What is the most important step in saving the life of a young person with a LD of alcohol?

Act and act quickly. Don’t hesitate, because the problems can escalate if the person dies. It’s as simple as putting aside all of the parental, peer and legal implications and dialing 911.

Action Plan

The most difficult part of saving someone from an alcohol overdose does not occur in the Emergency Room, nor does it involve a complex medical treatment. The most difficult aspect of an overdose case is making the decision to do something. Fear of possible legal implications (e.g., for underage drinkers), embarrassment, or not having the information to make a decision can also be fatal.

If someone who has been drinking heavily persists in falling asleep, waken him or her. If the person does not respond easily, it is time to call the police emergency number (911) and ask for assistance. Do not assume that your friend will sleep it off or would prefer not to be disturbed. Getting the person home and in bed is not a solution, and may actually place the drinker at risk, because he or she is no longer being observed. If you reasonably believe that other drugs were also ingested, be sure to tell the ambulance personnel. Alcohol in combination with other drugs accounts for about a third of all drug overdose cases in the US.

What kills you? Most likely it’s respiratory arrest.

As a teenager it’s normal to experiment with limits. But remember, alcohol can be fatal. Life is a long road that requires all the brain cells you were born with. The object is to preserve them not destroy them. When you drink do it sensibly.

Here is how drinking gets out of hand

The Consequences of Teenaged DUI Driving – Car cut in two

Drunk Driver on the Highway – The way to get arrested

Call for a consultation and a referral. Steve Lombardi 515-222-1110 or 800-383-0331. Use email if easier: sdlombardi@aol.com

We are adding forms and other Iowa OWI forms and information to assist you in understanding the process so that when we represent a client they have some things to review that will make your experience in the criminal law system as painless as is possible.

Intake Form for OWI or Drunk Driving Charges in Iowa

OWI is a serious problem and when the police arrest you for OWI or OUI the criminal system can be a puzzle. What do you say and to who? Who do you have to talk to? When should you not talk to anyone? Was it only a field sobriety test that the police officer performed? If you're innocent you need to prove it or make it so they can't prove otherwise. Even if you want to plead guilty you should get the same treatment someone in your position receives. OWI-1sts, OWI-2nd's and others are what we handle. No one should have to go through an OWI prosectution alone. Call me and I'll help you find an attorney for less than the $2,500.00 everyone else is charging. Call Steve Lombardi, 515-222-1110 or send me an email or text message to sdlombardi@aol.com. Lombardi Law Firm, 1300 - 37th Street, Suite 6, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.

Blog for Civil damage lawsuits and criminal law deaths, OWI and drunk driving

Library for Civil damage lawsuits and criminal law deaths, OWI and drunk driving:

Criminal Case Description of Representation - General [PDF]
Description: No two criminal cases are the same. Every client has different needs, desires and circumstances. Every case has different witnesses, prosecutors, police officers, and facts. Based upon my experience, however, I have determined that many clients have a similar need: to get the best outcome possible. I have decided to charge a flat fee for persons accused of crime because I am a results-oriented attorney and I want to obtain the best outcome possible.
Criminal Law Initial Interview Sheet [PDF]
Description: Criminal Law Initial Interview Sheet
Criminal Law Intake Form [PDF]
Description: Criminal Law Intake Form to be filled out and brought in with you.
Criminal Defense - What services can Miler Law Firm provide to you?
Description: No two criminal cases are the same. Every client has different needs, desires and circumstances. Every case has different witnesses, prosecutors, police officers, and facts. Based upon my experience, however, I have determined that many clients have a similar need: to get the best outcome possible. I have decided to charge a flat fee for persons accused of crime because I am a results-oriented attorney and I want to obtain the best outcome possible.
INTAKE FORM FOR OWI - OMVUI - Drunk Driving Charge
Description: When charged with OWI act quickly and decisively by filling out this form and faxing it to Steve Lombardi. He will then contact one of several attorneys who will contact you to conduct an interview and discuss what you want and need for representation. We use flat fees for OWI
WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS OF OWI IN IOWA
Description: You are innocent and charged with OWI. You should either get a dismissal of the charge before a trial, or a unanimous jury verdict at trial of “not guilty” which in legal terms is called an acquittal. I’ve had jury acquittals on breath tests as high as .185, which is more than twice the legal limit, and on breath tests as low as .06, which is less than the legal limit of .08. Yes, sometimes prosecutors will file an OWI charge even if you blow less than .08.
What five things should you not do upon being stopped?
Description: What five things should you not do upon being stopped? Know your rights and how not to make matters worse for yourself. Today we level the playing field.
Teenage drinking - What is a lethal limit of alcohol? Having an action plan.
Description: How do you know when your friend has had a lethal dose of alcohol? Scientists use the term "lethal dose" (LD) to describe the dose (or in the case of alcohol, the concentration) that produces death in half the population (LD:50). Most authorities agree that blood alcohol concentrations in the 0.40 - 0.50% range meet the requirements for the LD:50. The blood alcohol concentration is the percentage of alcohol in the blood that results after alcohol is absorbed from the stomach into the blood supply. Obviously, studies of lethal dosage cannot be tested empirically in the laboratory, so the LD:50 for alcohol is estimated from post-mortem cases in which alcohol poisoning was found to be the primary cause of death.

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Frequent Questions for Civil damage lawsuits and criminal law deaths, OWI and drunk driving:

Web Resources for Civil damage lawsuits and criminal law deaths, OWI and drunk driving:

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
Description:
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney FREE consultation. Criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience serving clients throughout southern California. Areas of expertise - murder, manslaughter, homicide, robbery, theft, business fraud, domestic violence, dui, dwi.
Ridin' Dirty - The Radio Talk Show
Description: For many of you that haven't yet heard, there is a new radio show in town. Ridin' Dirty is the first of its kind, an entire hour of talk radio dedicated solely to the issues surrounding drinking and driving.

Broadcast daily from 11:00am - 12:00pm on KLAA 830 AM, this unique program was designed to motivate and inspire people to learn to enjoy alcohol during social occasions without the possibility of legal troubles.

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