John Musca Law

John Musca on Xanax DUI Arrests Increasing in Florida

Criminal Defense Attorney John Musca cautions that prescription drugs should only be used by people to whom they are prescribed.  He finds it unfortunate that facts indicate driving under the influence of the prescription anti-anxiety drug Xanax and either alcohol, or marijuana, has increased substantially over the past decade in the State of Florida.  

One Florida county found that 177 DUI suspects had Xanax in their system last year, as compared to 1998 and only four DUI suspects were found to have the drug in their system. Officers in this county rank Xanax, cocaine, and marijuana as the most common drugs that suspects are found to be under the influence of during arrests. Ten years ago Xanax was prescribed to far fewer people and was not as readily available on the streets.

John Musca warns that Xanax and other prescription drugs can be a very dangerous combination with alcohol, or marijuana.  Xanax, generally known as Alazopam, is prescribed to treat panic disorders. While this drug is not as strong as methadone, or even as popular as some painkillers, Xanax has the effect of intensifying intoxication from alcohol. The combination of Xanax and alcohol could be as potent as three or more drinks. The pill can create a euphoric feeling within users, making it popular with people looking for a quick high. Last year 37.5 million prescriptions of Xanax were written. Xanax is easily available illegally and can be purchased for people with prescriptions, or from less reputable websites.

As an experienced DUI defense attorney, John Musca has handled thousands of Florida DUI cases and has definitely seen an increase in Xanax DUI arrests.  He feels it is important to create an awareness of the fact what might seem like one drink, may actually be equivalent to a couple or more when under the influence of a prescription drug like Xanax.

FL DUI - Field Sobriety Tests

Provided By: John Musca - MuscaLaw.com - FL DUI Attorney

Before an officer arrests an individual for DUI, he or she needs probable cause to believe the driver is too intoxicated to safely operate a vehicle. One way of gauging a driver’s level of intoxication is by conducting one or more field sobriety tests.  Field sobriety tests challenge a driver’s physical coordination, mental alertness, and ability to follow instruction.  It is believed that if a driver has a blood alcohol concentration above .08% then he/she will not be able to pass the test, as the presence of too much alcohol or drugs in the body significantly impairs a driver’s mental and physical abilities.

Field sobriety tests are conducted on the side of the road or highway by where the driver was pulled over.  In Florida, drivers suspected of DUI are typically asked to perform the following three field sobriety tests:

* Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus: an officer will hold a small object several inches from the driver’s face and ask the driver to follow the object with his/her eyes. The officer will be looking to see if the driver can follow the object’s line of motion, and if his/her eyes twitch when the object moves to the side. Eye twitching is a sign of intoxication.  However, eye twitching (or “nystagmus” in medical jargon) is a condition that can affect people even if they haven’t had any alcohol.

* One-Leg Stand Test: the test starts with the driver standing straight with arms at the side. The officer will instruct the driver to raise one leg six inches of the ground and start counting out loud. The officer is looking to see if the driver can not only follow directions, but also maintain balance without hoping, wobbling, raising his/her arms, etc.

* Walk & Turn Test: the driver will take nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line, turn, and then repeat the same action in the other direction. The officer is looking to see if the driver can walk in a straight line, as well as follow instructions.

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John Musca of Musca Law

Musca Law Firm Overview - John Musca
South/Southwest/Southeast Florida Criminal Trial Lawyers
With nine convenient locations throughout south, southwest and southeast Florida, the criminal trial lawyers at Musca Law defend individuals throughout south Florida charged with a crime. Whether you need a Collier County DUI attorney or Naples drug violations defense lawyers, we can help.
We handle all criminal matters ranging from traffic offenses and DUI to theft crimes, sex crimes, and juvenile offenses. Whether you are being charged with a felony or misdemeanor, our attorneys have the experience to provide you with the aggressive, quality defense you want.
The Musca Law Team Approach
We understand the fear and apprehension you feel. We know the prospect of losing your freedom can be overwhelming. That is why we developed a team approach to representing our clients.
Our team approach has earned us an excellent reputation among our peers, prosecutors, and judges throughout south Florida. By pulling from the strengths of each team member, we are able to present an aggressive defense on your behalf.
Our focus is on you. We maintain extended hours and are available for evening and weekend appointments. When you hire us, you will have a team of experienced criminal trial lawyers in your corner. Our experienced team of criminal defense lawyers has over 100 years of combined criminal defense experience.
The Musca Law Philosophy
Our philosophy is two-fold: First, provide an aggressive criminal defense that includes attention to detail, focusing on the strengths of your case, and exploiting the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. We make evidentiary challenges when appropriate and hold the prosecution to their burden of proof. Second, we provide you with a high level of personal service that includes proactively providing you with information regarding the status of your case.
Regardless of your situation, whether you have a pending warrant for your arrest or have been formally charged with a crime, you need to contact our experienced criminal defense team to fight for and protect your legal rights. The consultation is free. Your freedom is too important. Experience DOES matter.

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John Musca has devoted his legal career to criminal defense.  He decided to open his own comprehensive criminal defense firm in 2001 after serving as a Public Defender in the 20^th Judicial Circuit of Florida.  His practice has grown tremendously, now operating nine offices throughout the state with plans to ultimately offer full-service criminal defense to all of Florida.  Mr. Musca is committed to offering outstanding service to his clients and attributes the success of his law practice to the satisfaction of his clients and the diligence of the Florida criminal defense lawyers in the office.  He describes his work as a criminal defense attorney as his passion, rather than just his job.

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