Driver Who Crashed Twice, Abandoned 7-Year Old Girl Made Own Case Worse

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DUI is a serious charge on its own, but the punishments are not life-altering.

Maderra Beach, FL (PRWEB) September 03, 2013

A driver who authorities say was allegedly drunk managed to crash his car twice and abandoned a 7-year old girl who was with him. Tampa criminal defense attorney James Phillips says that the man could have faced relatively minor charges but made his own case much worse.

According to NBC Miami (7.15.13), Grant Mulder, 41, initially struck a telephone pole, according to deputies who responded to the crash. Witnesses say that his airbags deployed, hitting the young girl who was with him. He fled the scene, then pulled over and abandoned her on the median several minutes later.

Continuing to flee, Mulder tried to drive between two parked cars at a stop light and instead hit them, injuring both drivers, before backing up and fleeing once again reported NBC Miami.

“DUI is a serious charge on its own, but the punishments are not life-altering,” said Phillips, a founder of the Katz Phillips law firm and an experienced DUI defense lawyer. “What could have been a short jail term is now a major legal fiasco with years of consequences.”

Mulder was stopped and arrested on six different criminal charges, including driving under the influence, driving with a revoked license and child abuse. Deputies say that he allegedly tried to kick out the windows of their squad car and escape.

“When panicked, human beings have a fight-or-flight response,” Phillips said. “Both of those are bad reactions if you're dealing with police.”

Phillips said that anyone who is pulled over for driving drunk or gets into an accident should surrender and cooperate.

“A good lawyer will do you way more good than running.”

About James Phillips:
James D. Phillips is an experienced Tampa DUI lawyer and the co-founder of Katz & Phillips, PA. Mr. Phillips draws on extensive courtroom experience and his previous work as a prosecutor to give every client the strongest defense possible, focusing in particular on DUI defense. He is considered among the best DUI lawyers in the state. He can be contacted at:

Katz & Phillips, PA
509 W. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
321-332-6864

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