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Woman charged with DUI may be sunk by Periscope

Posted by John Callahan | Oct 14, 2015 | 0 Comments

Social media and cellphones have had a significant impact on many aspects of the legal system. The constant presence of cellphones and the ubiquity of Facebook lead many people to forget that they are creating a record of their activity for the entire world to see.

In divorce cases, people often post pictures and make statements that detail elements of their life that can be embarrassing or compromising when presented in court. They may show vacations when they claim they have no money or the presence of their “dates” in their home with children, when such behavior is prohibited.

We all know the danger of cellphone use and of texting while driving, and how that behavior has been tied to many crashes and collisions.

We know how many cases of excessive force and police behavior have come under question when suspects and observers can provide cellphone video of events as they unfold, greatly diminishing the claim of authority that law enforcement has often relied upon to protect themselves from liability for their illegal actions.

We have even seen viral videos on YouTube that purport to show how you can protect your constitutional rights and avoid speaking with the police at a sobriety checkpoint.

Driving while intoxicated is never a good idea. creating a video record of that activity is an even worse idea. Some would call such behavior worse than unwise. However, getting behind the wheel when you are intoxicated and then livestreaming is beyond questionable.

A woman used the phone app Periscope to live stream her drive, during which she proclaimed just how drunk she was. Followers of the stream called the police and they quickly located her vehicle. She was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which the police allege she failed and she was arrested for DUI.

Using Periscope while driving in this condition is one example of something that is akin to driving drunk; something that you are able to do, but which you never should do.

Source: chicagotribune.com, “Florida woman arrested after livestreaming as she drove drunk: police,” Tribune wire reports, October 13, 2015

About the Author

John Callahan

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. You may also never get a second chance to preserve your freedom if faced with criminal or DUI charges. If you are currently facing criminal charges, contact the law offices of John W. Callahan to protect you, your rights and your freedom. ...

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