AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. Expertise I have been a civil litigation attorney since 1989 and am Certified as a Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. I am licensed to practice law in Arizona, Colorado (inactive) and the District of Columbia (inactive). I am also licensed with the District Court of Arizona, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
I can answer general questions regarding products liability and injury matters. I do not give legal advice over the internet and it is helpful if you list where you live such as the country and/or state.
I am a licensed attorney, real estate broker and adjunct professor.
Experience in the area I have been a civil trial attorney since 1989 and I have a masters degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics.
Organizations State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court American Bar Association National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Kennedy Institute of Ethics National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004 Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Question I'm a 22/male college student in Alabama. I keep a responsible reputation around town and have never been in any kind of legal trouble--until this past weekend. I work nights in the ER and some time ago my doctor prescribed me ambien to help regulate my erratic sleep schedule. Its helped and I supposed I've become pretty dependant on it the past few months. Well a few weeks ago I decided to cut back and things were going well. Last Friday night, I was getting ready to go to bed around midnight after a night of studying. I took an Ambien, flipped on the TV, and lied down to go to sleep. Everything is a total blur until around 0800 the next morning when I awake IN JAIL. Charged with DUI/Leaving the Scene of an Accident. I have absolutely no recollection of any of the events of the previous night, other than a vague recollection of failing a field sobriety test and being booked. It was hands down the scariest experience of my entire life. When I got out that day, I found out/vaguely remembered that I had a sip of vodka sometime before leaving my house (enough to get my EtOH to 0.06 on a breathalizer) and then apparently got dressed and left my house after receiving a call from a drunk friend saying he needed to be picked up at his frat house. From what I can put together (I won't be able to pick up the police report for a few days), I made it to the frat house and then upon leaving or arriving I bumped my car into a telephone poll, apparently tried to drive away and someone reported me. I'm still not sure on all the facts other than that, but I'm completely devastated and still in utter shock that this has happenned, and I don't remember any of it, nor did I have any control over my actions, other than taking the Ambien--which, needless to say, was all flushed promptly the next day. I suppose now I'm just trying to find anyone out there that might be able to offer some wisdom in what to do--what are my options? I know I have to take responsibility for my actions, and I'm not looking for a way out, just some understanding from someone that might have handled something similar. I'm finishing up Nursing School and plan to go to Med School in a few years. I don't want this stupid incident to ruin my future. Thanks.
Answer Mark,
I can tell from your description that you are a hardworking responsible individual who sounds like you were overcome from the prescription medication. I am sorry to hear about your situation.
You definitely need to speak to an attorney in your area who specializes in DUI because it can affect your licensure. In most locations DUI (Driving Under the Inflence) is not only alcohol but includes prescription and non-prescription medication. That is why it is no longer a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). It seems the breathalizer will help you in that you were under the minimum leval of impairment.
Before you speak further to the police or prosecutor, go speak to an attorney. It is likely the prosecutor will offer you some type of plea (especially based upon the low alcohol rating) but you want to make sure someone who knows the ropes is on your side.
