criminal trials & proceedings

While traffic citations are usually a civil infraction, drunk driving charges are criminal offenses that can have civil consequences in addition to criminal penalties.

misdemeanor vs. felony

All drunk driving charges are criminal offenses under Alaska laws; they are either a misdemeanor offense or a felony offense.

A Felony is any crime for which the penalty includes imprisonment in a federal or state prison for the period of one or more years. All other crimes are misdemeanor offenses.

miranda rights

Once placed under arrest, police must inform a suspect of his or her Miranda Rights. Those rights include the right to remain silent (you should), the right to have an attorney present during all questioning (you should) and the right to have an attorney appointed for you if you cannot afford one (if you are destitute).

arrests & your constitutional rights

An arrest is a seizure of a person. If police lack probable cause to make a police stop, it follows that the evidence obtained during the illegal stop is fruit of the poisoned tree, and cannot be used against the person to convict.

There are exceptions to when a police officer can make an arrest after a search without a warrant, and they have unsuccessfully attempted to use the evidence obtained from such a search in a case against Attorney Slone's client. However, Attorney Slone prevailed.

Your Constitutional rights are protected, even during a drunk driving arrest, but you must defend those rights. In a court of law, a prosecutor is not going to give evidence that impeaches his witnesses or proves his evidence was obtained illegally. Your attorney must do that.

plea bargaining

Plea settlements (often called "plea bargains" or "plea bargaining") are agreements between the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney to settle the case.

There are several important facts to know about plea bargaining. First, a plea bargain is an offer from the defense attorney to the prosecuting attorney, even if the prosecutor suggests the settlement. As such, the prosecutor can chose whether or not to accept the bargain right up and until the moment that the court orders the bargain as a settlement to the case, and even on the courthouse steps.

Second, and just as important, is the fact that most plea bargains require the defendant to admit guilt to the crime alleged. As such, penalties will be imposed.

Third, the prosecuting attorney is not responsible for ensuring that you understand your rights or defenses available under the law. The law offices of Attorney Slone have handled hundreds upon hundreds of drunk driving cases that resulted in not guilty verdicts that would have resulted in guilty verdicts if the accused had not hired Attorney Slone.

acquittal - not guilty

After a case has been adjudicated, the judge or jury return the verdict. An acquittal is a "not guilty" verdict.

talk to an attorney today

Time is of the essence in drunk driving cases. By waiting, you may lose your driver's license, and either lose or severely risk losing opportunities to defend your case. To speak with an attorney today, please call Fred Slone at (907) 272-4471.

Call us today at (907) 272-4471 to speak with attorney slone.