We are all familiar with Mothers against drug driving (MADD). Many people are also familiar with the Simpsons, an incredibly long running cartoon show on television. On the show, they satire or make fun of pretty much everything. Homer might generally be considered an alcoholic, and has in some episodes has driven drunk. On a recent episode, they briefly parodied mothers against drunk driving with a hypothetical mothers for drunk driving (it was during one of the character's dreams). I thought the slogans were pretty funny, so attached is a screen shot. Copyright FOX. Caveat disclaimer; I do not think drinking alcohol and driving while you are impaired is funny, and can have serious consequences. However, everyone accused has the right to remain innocent until proven guilty.

http://gma.yahoo.com/john-goodman-wasnt-drunk-bentley-malfunctioned-defense-says-011739817--abc-news.html

"

Defense attorney Roy Black told jurors that Goodman's $250,000 Bentley had malfunctioned that night.

"As it gets close to the stop sign all of a sudden the car surges forward, you see him trying to control this enormously powerful car," he said."

"

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/can-lsd-cure-alcoholism

"a new study reports that LSD could help alcoholics kick their addiction. Based on a new analysis of six randomized controlled trials from the 1960s and 70s, and published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, researchers from Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Harvard Univeristy found that a single dose of the hallucinogen “had a significant beneficial effect on alcohol misuse” for up to 12 months.

Dropping acid on a one-time basis also “compares favorably” with the effectiveness of such daily treatments for alcoholism as the FDA-approved addiction-fighting drugs naltrexone and acamporosate, the researchers report. Overall, 59 percent of the 536 study participants treated with a single dose of the psychedelic drug showed improvement in their alcohol habits, compared to 38 percent of those who didn’t take LSD."

"The researchers point out that, “LSD is well-known for inducing spectacular and profound effects on the mind,” and “can help prevent a relapse of alcohol abuse…by eliciting insights into behavioral problems and generating motivation to build a meaningful and sober lifestyle.”

The theory is that dropping acid is like speeding up psychotherapy, so alcohol abusers achieve similar results to years of psychotherapy in a single LSD trip, helping them break past habits and obstacles that have kept them from kicking their addiction."

I was at the DMV today for a few administrative license suspension hearings. In between hearings I was speaking with another local dwi lawyer who I respect and would have no problem referring a case to. Also, present was a prosecutor for some State Police cases. He is also a prosecutor I highly respect, as I trust him and he really knows New Hampshire DWI laws and puts together his case very well. (While this does make my job harder, and I certainly lose some cases when he is the prosecutor, I do enjoy knowing that all the work and preparation in defending a dwi case is required as the prosecutor will also be very well prepared). In discussing some past cases, the topic came up about lawyers willing to go to trial, as opposed to pleaing every case. The prosecutor mentioned that myself and the other lawyer present were on his list of lawyers who will take cases to trial.

Having a reputation for going to trial can certainly help out clients. If the prosecutor knows or believes the defense lawyer hates having trials, there is little incentive to make favorable plea offers.

Additionally, actually having trial experience is important if your case does go to trial. Do you want a lawyer who it will be his first actual trial, or one who repeatedly is willing to fight for his clients and make sure the State can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt?

Finally, even in some cases where you might be found guilty, if the sentence was the same or less after being found guilty, it certainly is worth it to go to trial. A lawyer who handles many similar cases should have a pretty good idea of what you should expect at the time of sentencing, if you are ultimately found guilty.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/22/24th-drunk-driving-offence-a-canadian-record

"n what's believed to be a Canadian record, a 67-year-old Quebec man was convicted Tuesday of his 24th drunk-driving offence.

Yvon Gingras of St-Ubalde, Que., was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to impaired driving, breach of conditions and refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test.

Gingras bought a car despite a driving ban. Outraged neighbours, aware of his prior convictions, formed a committee to track his movements.

One neighbour spotted Gingras behind the wheel last June 20 and called police. The unlicensed driver refused to submit to a breathalyzer test. Officers searched his car and found eight large bottles of beer as well as a full bottle of vodka.