About 150 law enforcement agencies across Kansas will take part in enhanced efforts over the next several weeks to crack down on drunk drivers across the state. The effort is being funded in part by the Kansas Department of Transportation under the nationwide “You drink. You drive. You lose” campaign aimed to raise awareness about the impact of drunk driving and lockup drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI).

The program’s strength includes putting more police officers on the state’s roads and highways to aid in interdiction efforts and project a seriousness about the issue of drunk driving. Additionally, the campaign attempts to reach people on a personal level, telling stories of families affected by drunk driving and why everyone should take the issue seriously.

Kansas DUI accident statistics

In 2015, Kansas saw approximately 1,300 DUI-related injuries and 75 deaths. Those numbers break down to five injuries every day and one death every three days across the state. While traffic fatalities as a whole have gone down over the last 30 years, DUI fatalities still account for about one-third of highway deaths each year.

To help crack down on these senseless deaths, jurisdictions across the state are reminding drivers to plan ahead if they drink, consider the impact of drinking and driving on their families, and know there are steep fines and jail time for DUI arrests.

Kansas DUI laws

Under Kansas law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. Penalties for even a first-time DUI include a minimum jail sentence of two days, fines between $750 to $1,000, and license suspension for up to 30 days.

Furthermore, a DUI conviction could result in the driver having to pay for an ignition interlock device (IID) to be installed in their vehicle. An IID is essentially a breathalyzer inside the vehicle drivers must blow into to start their vehicles; furthermore, drivers may even need to take part in a “rolling retest” where they must pull over and activate the breathalyzer again.

Olathe DUI attorneys

If you were charged with DUI in Kansas, contact the Morrison Law Firm, LLC for a consultation about your case with one of our experienced Olathe DUI attorneys. As a former District Attorney with 18 years of experience prosecuting criminals, Paul Morrison understands what it takes to defend the rights of the accused and ensure justice is served. Call us at (913) 780-6666.

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Has your child ever done something so harmful to his future or well-being you just want to scream, “What were you thinking?!” Honestly, they may have not been thinking about the outcome at all. Did you know that the prefrontal cortex, a section of your brain that can imagine consequences, help make judgments, and control impulses is not fully developed until the mid-20s? This is frustrating, but it is a reality of our human makeup. Not every child will commit a juvenile crime, but when it happens it can be beyond frustrating as a parent figuring out how to minimize the damage to your child.

Top 3 Common Juvenile Crimes

1. Theft/Larceny- These cases typically have to do with shoplifting, stealing other people’s property like a bike, backpack, and even things from another child’s locker. If you’ve ever been to the mall, you may have seen a police car outside escorting a pair of young girls or boys to the vehicle. Sadly, a friend, or other influence can encourage a lot of these crimes.
2. Vandalism- Nothing says, “I love you” like carving your name into a bathroom stall next to your crushes at least that is the feeling in some children and teenagers. Though this is typically the milder version of vandalism it may range in tagging, and graffiti to keying a car or slashing tires. These are all possible expressions a child or teenager may use for showing anything from affection to anger and even boredom.
3. Alcohol Offenses- Underage drinking is a huge problem for the Kansas area. Purchasing, consuming and in possession of alcohol are all crimes for a juvenile.

Contact your Johnson County and Kansas City Area Attorney

Kansas can be strict on juvenile crime, getting a professional criminal defense attorney will help minimize the damage to your child’s future and help move forward from this event. Paul Morrison has professional experience as a Johnson County District Attorney and Kansas Attorney General and understands guidelines and policies of Kansas’s law. This knowledge is used on behalf of clients. Call Morrison Law Firm, LLC at (913) 780-6666 to schedule a free consultation.

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“So bye, bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry

And them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye

Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die

This’ll be the day that I die”

-“American Pie” by Don Mclean

Unfortunately, though perhaps not what Mclean had intentioned the song to capture, there are good ole boys and girls who do drink whiskey ‘n rye. This becomes an issue not just with the huge potential for legal action against a juvenile who drinks, purchases, or drives under the influence but for their safety and those around them as well. Kansas law is not kind to those who drink underage and serious and sever punishments can be faced by these individuals that mars their future with a dark mark on what should be an otherwise bright future.

Possible Repercussions if a Minor, someone under 21, is in Possession and/or Consumption of Alcohol:

• License may be suspended up to a year.
• A fine or fines going up to $500
• 40 hours of community service

The above consequences are if the minor is very fortunate to have only been found drinking/possessing an alcoholic beverage or beverages. It escalates quickly once other factors are involved such as fake I.D.s, or DUI.

Possible Repercussions if a Minor uses a fake or someone else’s Identification to obtain Alcohol:

• $1000 in fines
• And an entire YEAR in jail

DUI

In the event that this is your first offense, and you were attempting to drive with a blood alcohol count of .08 there are some serious possible repercussions.

• Up to One year suspension of your Driver’s license and additional restrictions
• Up to 6 months in jail
• Hours of Community Service
• Treatments for substance abuse
• Vehicle impoundment may be up to one year
• If transporting someone under the age of 14 years, another month will be added to the jail sentence.

Beyond Legal Consequences

It is possible for someone to get hurt, yourself or someone else from drinking while under the age of 21, such as alcohol poisoning, or abuse of other drugs.

If you child has been arrested for underage drinking, you want an attorney at your side you can trust – one whose presence is respected by the opposing side. Contact an Overland, Kansas, lawyer at (913) 780-6666 to schedule a free initial consultation. Let’s talk over your situation and present a strong defense against any juvenile crime charge.

Kansas Underage Drinking Tipline – Consequences. (2012). Retrieved July 1, 2015, from http://www.1866mustb21.com/consequences/

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