The new stay was requested by both the prosecutor and by Mr. Bieber’s attorney.
(PRWEB) August 14, 2014
Justin Bieber’s DUI hearing has been postponed for the second time in a month. DUI defense attorney David Katz says that delays like this are normal when a plea bargain is in the works.
The singer was arrested after an alleged street racing incident in January. His blood alcohol content was within the legal limit but he tested positive for both marijuana and an anti-anxiety drug, according to ABC News (retrieved 08.08.2014).
Bieber’s hearing date was already postponed once in July, with the pop star’s lawyer explicitly asking for more time to work out a plea deal, according to CTV News (retrieved 08.08.2014). ABC says the new hearing date was also postponed. This time no reason was given.
“The new stay was requested by both the prosecutor and by Mr. Bieber’s attorney,” said Katz, the founder of Katz & Phillips, PA. “That’s normal for a situation where both sides still hope to reach an agreement.”
Katz says that plea bargains are a crucial tool in DUI defense, and can be a victory for many defendants.
“Often, we can get the charges dropped or get our clients acquitted,” he said. “But if the evidence is too strong, a plea bargain to a lesser offense may be the best solution.”
Plea bargains are deals where a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced charge or sentence. Katz says that can help DUI defendants avoid jail time or other mandatory penalties.
“People think plea bargains are only for celebrities like Justin Bieber, but good DUI Defense lawyers often get deals offered to their clients,” he said. “The courts recognize that many drunk drivers are just normal people who made a single bad decision.”
“A negotiated plea can be a win-win for the state and a defendant who wants a second chance.” The State gets something, maybe not a DUI, but can negotiate alcohol education and driving classes as part of the deal. The Defendant, may have to be on probation for a time and take some classes or perform community service, but does not end up with a criminal DUI conviction haunting them for the rest of their lives.
Bieber’s new hearing is scheduled for August 13.
About David Katz:
David S. Katz is a Florida DUI defense attorney and a founding partner of Katz & Phillips, PA. Nationally recognized as a Board Certified Expert in DUI defense, he has helped train hundreds of attorneys in defense strategies for DUI and criminal cases and has suppressed prosecution evidence in hundreds of cases. Katz & Phillips always put the client's needs first and strives for the best possible outcome. They can be contacted at:
Katz & Phillips, PA
509 W. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32804
321-332-6864
http://www.orlandocriminalteam.com/