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July 19, 2009
Delaware Toughens Penalties for DUI Offenders - July 13, 2009
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On July 13, 2009 Governor Jack A Markell signed two pieces of legislation into law creating tougher penalties for those convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol. The first, House Bill 152, sponsored by Representative Bryon Short and Senator Brian Bushweller increases fines for all DUI offenders and in particular fifth and subsequent offenders. In 2008, state and local law enforcement officers made approximately DUI 6,916 arrests. Of those, 5,057 drivers were first-time offenders and 59 drivers had been previously arrested for DUI five or more times.
The second bill signed by Governor Markell, Senate Bill 177, was sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Anthony DeLuca and Representative Pete Schwartzkopf. It strengthens penalties for first time DUI offenders with a BAC of .15 or higher by increasing the period of hard revocation for these individuals, who are mandated to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in their vehicle, from 30 to 45 days. It also increases their period of license revocation from three to six months as well as mandates the use of IID for six months for those individuals. Furthermore, it limits the driving authority of IID licensed drivers to work, home, school, alcohol treatment programs and interlock service provider appointments. |
April 5, 2008
E. Martin Knepper, Esquire attends day long DUI Defense Seminar
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E. Martin Knepper, Esquire, a partner in the Wilmington and Dover, Delaware law firm of Knepper & Stratton, attended a day long seminar on April 4, 2008, entitled "A Lawyers Guide to DUI: Practical Tips and Ethical Considerations for DUI Cases". The seminar was moderated by the Honorable Alex J. Smalls, Chief Judge, Court of Common Pleas of the State of Delaware who along with the Honorable William C. Carpenter, Jr., presented an overview of court procedures in DUI cases and a digest of last year's Delaware DUI case law.
The seminar dealt with many other topics, including the NHTSA certified Field Sobriety Tests, newer NHTSA certifed, so-called, Drug Recognition Experts (DRE), overview of breath testing equipment in use in Delaware, ethical considerations in defense of drunk driving or driving under the influence (DUI) cases, the prosecutor's perspective and techniques and arguments to use in the defense of drunk driving (DUI) and driving under the influence of drug cases.
Cpl. James Rossi, of the Delaware State Police demonstrated the proper procedures for administering the four NHSTA certified Field Sobriety Tests, which are:
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN);
One leg stand;
Walk and turn; and
Finger to nose.
The Delaware State Chemist, David Sockrider, demonstrated the workings of the CMI Intoxilyzer and the Portable Breath Testing equipment, used by almost all police departments in the State of Delaware for breath testing purposes.
Deputy Attorney General Sean Lugg, of the Delaware Department of Justice, presented the prosecutor's perspective in DUI, Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Homicide cases.
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March 12, 2008
Barbara Stratton, Esquire attends National Employment Lawyers Association Seminar
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Barbara H. Stratton, Esquire, a partner in the Wilmington and Dover, Delaware law firm of Knepper & Stratton, just returned to Delaware from Washington D.C., after attending a two day National Employment Lawyers Assoctiation (NELA) seminar entitled, "Trial Advocacy For The Plaintiff's Employment Lawyer. " The seminar was held from March 7 to March 8, 2008 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington D.C.
This
two-day seminar, specifically designed for plaintiff's employment
lawyers, featured interactive demonstrations and presentations on
successful techniques and strategies for trying employment cases.
Topics presented and discussed included:
- Voir dire focus groups;
- Opening statements;
- Closing arguments;
- Presenting your plaintiff's case-in-chief;
- Direct and cross-examination of witnesses;
- Use of demonstrative evidence;
- Theme development;
- Common defense tactics;and more.
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March 2, 2008
Announcing a New Dover Office Location for Knepper & Stratton with Free Parking
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We are proud to announce that on January 1, 2008, the Dover office of Knepper & Stratton moved to 34 The Green, Dover, Delaware, just steps from the Kent County Courthouse and the Delaware Supreme Court. We now have free parking available for our clients and visitors in the parking lot in the rear of 34 The Green, Dover, Delaware. The free parking lot is accessible from Governors Avenue. This year marks the16th year Knepper & Stratton has maintained an office in Dover, Delaware, from which to serve our Kent County and Sussex County clients in their legal matters, including pursuing personal injury claims, workers compensation claims and employment law matters.
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Archives
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"For over 25 years I have helped
personal injury accident victims battle
insurance companies to receive just
compensation for their medical bills,
lost wages, pain and suffering."
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*Please direct all mail and deliveries to the Wilmington offices of Knepper & Stratton at 1228 North King Street, Wilmington DE 19801
** By Appointment Only
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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Copyright © 2005-2010 by Knepper & Stratton Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement.
The Delaware trial lawyers at Knepper & Stratton represent clients in personal injury lawsuits, employment law suits, traffic ticket defense and DUI defense throughout the State of Delaware, Kent County, Sussex County and New Castle County, including the communities of Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, Dover, Smyrna, Harrington, New Castle, Claymont, Georgetown, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Seaford, Lewes, Camden, Wyoming, Frederica, Houston, Milford, Hockessin, Little Creek, Delaware City, Glasgow, Bear, Townsend, Elsmere, Newport, Fairfax, Talleyville, Greenville, Centerville, St. Georges, Dover AFB, Dover Air Force Base, Pike Creek, Wilton, and Port Penn for incidents occuring on the highways of Delaware including U.S. Rt. 202, I-95, I-495, U.S. Rt. 13, DE Rt. 7, U.S. Rt. 13, DE Rt. 52, U.S. Rt. 301, DE. Rt. 1, U.S. Rt. 113, DE Rt. 9, U.S. Rt. 40, Concord Pike, DE Rt. 2, Pulaski Highway, DE Rt. 72, Old Baltimore Pike, Limestone Road, DuPont Highway, Kennett Pike, Kirkwood Highway, Maryland Avenue, DE Rt. 4, DE Rt. 896, and DE Rt. 71.
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KNEPPER & STRATTON - Delaware Personal Injury Lawyers & Employment Lawyers
