Beyond Criminal Penalties, Drunk Drivers May Face Civil Lawsuits

Illicit drugs are both dangerous for one’s health and also illegal. Those accused of possessing illegal drugs face significant legal issues which can result in serious penalties, including significant amounts of time behind bars. Drug trafficking charges are even more serious. Over three dozen individuals are confronting these issues following a drug bust by authorities in Texas. Federal prosecutors recently announced that they have charged 37 individuals over an alleged drug trafficking conspiracy. The defendants are facing criminal charges that include conspiring to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and sell on the black market. Thirty-two individuals have already been arrested by law enforcement, according to the latest reports released to the public. The prosecution claims that the defendants had been planning the drug trafficking operation since 2013. The group allegedly stored smuggled drugs in stash houses as part of the supposed criminal conspiracy. Most of the defendants are from Texas, though several are from out of state. Those facing federal drug trafficking charges in Texas will have the right to defend themselves in court. Many of the defendants may have been simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and may in fact be innocent. The very nature of the charges requires a vigorous legal defense effort that focuses on preserving the rights of each defendant while fighting for an optimal result. Depending on the strength of the prosecution’s case, some defendants may choose to explore the possibility of reaching a plea agreement in exchange for reduced charges and/or favorable sentencing considerations. Source: kswo.com, "More than 3 dozen charged in North Texas drug ring", Nov. 14, 2014

People are only human, which means they are often prone to making mistakes. Sometimes, people even make the same mistakes several times. Texas authorities say that this was the case with one woman who was recently charged with drug crimes for the second time after a deputy was killed in a car crash. The first time the woman was arrested and subsequently convicted of possessing methamphetamine, and now she is facing the same charge of possession of a controlled substance following this recent car crash. Reportedly, the woman crashed her SUV into a police cruiser traveling in the opposite direction. The SUV crossed over from the westbound lane into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on into the deputy’s vehicle. This caused the deputy’s car to spin out counter-clockwise into a drainage ditch on the side of the road. The woman’s car ended up in the center of an intersection. The 32-year-old deputy died after being removed from his vehicle and airlifted to a local hospital. The police say they discovered methamphetamine in the 29-year-old woman’s possession. It was reported that the woman is currently on parole after being released from prison earlier in October. She was originally sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges in March. Now, the woman will have to defend herself against accusations that she committed the same drug offense twice in Texas. It is not clear if additional charges may be filed against her with regard to the fatal crash and/or with respect to any claim of a parole violation. Clearly, the fact that she was recently convicted of drug crimes and is still on parole with respect to the prior incident will only complicate her current proceedings. Of necessity, she must focus — alongside her defense counsel — on the specifics of the prosecution’s current accusations in order to make certain her legal rights are protected while fighting for a resolution that is in her own best interests. Source: clicktohouston.com, “Parolee charged in crash that killed deputy in northeast Harris County“, Nakia Cooper, Oct. 29, 2014

Safety on the road is always an important issue to which policymakers should pay close attention. Watching emerging trends in accidents on the roads can help guide policymakers in implementing policies to avoid accidents. A recently released report shows that there has been an increase in accidents on the road in Texas and other states. However, many were surprised to see that fatalities from bicycle accidents increased more than vehicle deaths. The report, which was released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), shows that the number of people dying from bicycle accidents seems to be trending rapidly upward. During the period between 2010 and 2012, the number of deaths caused by bicycle accidents increased by 16 percent. This is significant when it is taken into consideration that the number of fatalities from car accidents has only increased by 1 percent during this same time span. Adults 25 years of age and older accounted for 84 percent of deaths among bicyclists in 2012, which is a dramatic increase compared to 1975 when only 21 percent of bicyclist deaths were within this demographic. About 74 percent of the bicyclists who died in 2012 were adult males, according to the study released by the GHSA. Statistics also revealed that six states, including Texas, accounted for 54 percent of the deaths from bicycle accidents. The increase in deaths caused by bicycle accidents means there was an increase in the families mourning the loss of loved ones in Texas and other states. This can be an emotionally trying time for any mourning family. Many just want to be left alone in order to mourn in peace, but it may behoove a mourning family to consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit if the death of their loved one may have been caused by a driver on the road or any other negligent party or individual. Source: claimsjournal.com, “Bike Fatalities Rise, Adult Males at Highest Risk“, Nov. 14, 2014