DUI Saturation Patrol - Manhattan Kansas

The Riley County Police Department has issued notice that they will conduct DUI Saturation Patrols tonight, Friday July 29, 2016.  There will be a second DUI Saturation Patrol on Saturday July 30.

A Saturation Patrol is different from a sobriety check point in that not every vehicle will be stopped and checked. Instead there will be a greater presence of patrolling law enforcement officers around the areas of the saturation patrol.  Often the areas of saturation patrol includes the Aggieville area and east Bluemont Avenue near the roundabout at 4th Street, however, the saturations patrols could be anywhere.

You have rights the you should be aware of if you encounter police. You may refuse standard field sobriety tests. If you find yourself arrested for DUI as a result of these Manhattan, Kansas Saturation Patrols contact a local DUI attorney in Manhattan, Kansas to defend your rights as soon as possible.

Fake Patty's Day 2015

Fake Patty's Day is upon us in the Manhattan, Kansas and local business as well as local law enforcement is gearing up for for a crowd.

It is well known that alcohol will be consumed in vast quantities during Fake Patty's and with over consumption comes a host of problems, the least of which is may be a hangover and some regret.

Riley County Police Department typically beef up security in Aggieville and surrounding areas. If you are under age and consuming alcohol, your chances of getting a minor in possession or a minor in consumption is significantly higher on Fake Patty's Day.

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Manhattan, Kansas may also see an uptick in frequency during this raucous weekend.

Typically a DUI will land you in jail for the night or until someone can bond you out.  MIP or MIC will usually result in a simple citation and a notice to appear or NTA at a certain date/time/courthouse in Manhattan.

For victims of DUI charges, there are important deadlines that need to be addressed and taken care of as soon as possible after receiving a DUI citation.  An experienced DUI attorney in Manhattan, Kansas can assist you and will know what those deadlines are and how to address them.

If you find yourself with more than a just regret and a banging hangover on the day after your Fake Patty's Day, contact our office for a consultation.

Manhattan, KS Weekend DUI Checkpoint – May 10, 2014

This weekend the Riley County Police Department will be having a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in the City of Manhattan. The checkpoint will begin Saturday, May 10, 2014 and will continue into the morning ours of Sunday, May 11, 2014.  If you approach this DUI checkpoint and the officers suspect that you are above the legal limit, an on-site field sobriety test will be given.  

The following things could give the officers suspicion that you are under the influence: admitting to consuming alcohol, watery bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, odor of intoxicants, and driving infractions. 

If you are arrested for DUI you will be given a citation and a notice to appear in the Manhattan Municipal Court or the Riley County District Court.   You will also have 14 days from the day of your citation to request an administrative hearing to preserve your driving privileges.

If you think you maybe too impaired to drive, call a taxi or designate a sober friend before the night of fun begins. If you do happen to receive a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) citation, contact a knowledgeable Manhattan area attorney so they can begin to preserve your driving privileges and help you reach a speedy resolution to a DUI that could have lasting affects on your life.

Fake Patty's Day 2013

Tomorrow is the hallowed Fake Patty's Day celebration here in Manhattan, KS!  While a boon to many bars in the Aggieville area, it's also an event that requires additional police presence and EMT workers.  Part of the effort to keep Fake Patty's attendees safe is making a medical pavilion in the City Park just South of Aggieville. 

If you intend to participate in Fake Patty's festivities and you want to stay out of both the medical pavilion and the custody of RCPD, here's a short list of dos and don'ts:

1. Don't take an open container out in public.  This includes the sidewalk right outside your (or your friends) house.  All sidewalks are public property.  So are alleyways.

2.  If you're a minor, don't take an open container (or closed container) of alcohol ANYWHERE.  That's Minor in Possession (MIP).

3. Drink some water. Eat some food.  Personally, I recommend Hunam Express or Aggie Station.

4. Don't take shots.  (Seriously don't, though Jell-O shots hardly count, still watch their number)

5. Have a designated driver.  Getting a DUI is costly and can change your life.  On Fake Patty's 2013, Safe Ride will also be running during extended hours starting at Noon (12:00 p.m.) on Saturday and running until 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. 

6. Finally, a bit of advice that is applicable always, if you must break the law, don't break two laws at once.  If you want to know why, you'll have to pay me a visit.

Manhattan, KS Criminal Defense Attorney

Hiring an attorney is a complex and important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements (or a blog entry, for that matter) and you should consider your options carefully to find an attorney right for you. This is not legal advice but simply a blog written by Blake Robinson Attorney at Law in Manhattan, KS for information purposes only.

Fake Patty's Day - March 9, 2013

Fake Patty's day is almost here and the City of Manhattan, KS has some things to mention for those partaking of the FPD 2013 celebration.  One important item to be aware of is the safe ride program available all day for Fake Paddy's participants.  Safe ride will run from Noon on Saturday till 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Getting a DUI in Kansas is expensive and can dramatically change your life for the worse.

The RCPD will also be out in force canvassing the area in and around Aggieville.  This means underage drinkers should be careful.  Even if you are not at a bar, the likelihood of getting a Minor in Possession (MIP) or Minor in Consumption (MIC) will be high.  Those home owners/renters around the Aggieville area also should be careful.  If a member of your party is an under age drinker you may be subject to a hosting ticket and fine which could be as much as $1,000.00.

So in short, try not to drink in excess this weekend and obey the law.  Be careful out there, but if you do find yourself in trouble, contact a Manhattan, KS criminal defense attorney.  We can help.  



Hiring an attorney is a complex and important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements (or a blog entry, for that matter) and you should consider your options carefully to find an attorney right for you. This is not legal advice but simply a blog written by Blake Robinson Attorney at Law in Manhattan, KS for information purposes only.

Getting a DUI in the Snow in Manhattan, KS

Over the past 2 weeks Mother Nature has been sending lots of snow over the Manhattan and Junction City, KS areas.  Obviously there will be the usual fender benders and other snow related accidents, but what about getting a DUI while there's snow on the ground? 

The snow presents a complicating factor when evaluating whether you've been unfairly charged with a DUI in Manhattan, KS or Junction City, KS.  The icy roads, low visibility, and dangerous conditions all contribute to a driver's behavior and these factors must be considered in the initial DUI evaluation. 

If you get pulled over and cited for a DUI while these adverse conditions exist, you should contact a DUI attorney in the area as soon as possible.  Remember, no matter what the conditions are, you only have 14 days to preserve your driving privileges.

DUI Attorney, Manhattan, KS

While a lot of Manhattan, KS DUI attorney's claim to offer special or unique services for high prices, it's something of a misconception to believe you can't get great legal representation for your DUI from a more reasonably-priced Manhattan, KS law firm. 

A Manhattan, KS DUI attorney that is reasonably priced offers the the more personal, one-on-one assistance to help you evaluate your options and getting the results that are important to you.  With less overhead then a traditional law firm, our Manhattan, KS law office can offer you professional service that compares to other big law firms but with more personalized legal representation. 

Manhattan, KS DUI Checkpoint in August

On the first K-State game day weekend the RCPD in cooperation with the Kansas Highway Patrol held a DUI Checkpoint along Kimble Blvd. in Manhattan, KS.   A number of individuals were cited for driving under the influence of alcohol. 

If you received a DUI citation in relation to this checkpoint, you have 14 days from August 31st, 2012 to submit a drivers license hearing request.

Manhattan, KS DUI Checkpoint on Friday

There was a DUI Checkpoint ran by the Riley County Police Department last Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.    If you were unfortunate enough to get a DUI during this DUI Checkpoint in Manhattan, you should contact a Manhattan, KS Attorney as soon as possible.   You have a certain number of days to file an administrative hearing to preserve your driving privileges.

There are other steps that must be taken to preserve your driving privileges. If you'd like to discuss them, contact a lawyer in Manhattan, KS for a free consultation to discuss your options and your next course of action.

You will be required to appear in court for your initial appearance and enter a plea at that time.  If you are from out of town, you will need an attorney to do this for you unless you make the special trip to enter appearance and plead not guilty.

DUI Friday - K-State Edition

It's once again time for DUI Friday.  In last week's DUI Friday we talked about what it means when you get a first, second, or third DUI.  This week it's all about the driver's license hearing.

The driver's license hearing, or administrative hearing, is the hearing which you must request within 14 days of your getting a DUI in Manhattan, KS.  You must also send in a $50.00 administrative hearing request fee.

All these things are outlined in fine print for you on the back of your DUI ticket, however few people actually read, acknowledge, or understand what they need to do to preserve their driving privileges.  What I mean when I say "to preserve your driving privileges" I mean that if you don't send in an Admin hearing request within the allotted time, and with the $50.00, you driver's license is immediately suspended.

When you live in Kansas, commuting via motor vehicle is essential to carry out general business.  Our populations are too spread out and our public transportation system far to ineffective and inefficient to get you where you need to go.  Losing your driver's license in Kansas because of DUI often means you must bother coworkers or family members to get you to work and back or otherwise you're forced walk vast distances daily to maintain your livelihood.

If you're facing losing your driver's license in Kansas because of a DUI, contact a lawyer in Manhattan, KS that can preserve your driving privileges and protect your rights as soon as possible.

And my final words to you K-Staters coming back to classes for fall semester: Don't use campus as a shortcut or as "back roads" on your way home at 2 a.m. 

Standard Field Sobriety Tests

Standard Field Sobriety Tests are what the Riley County Police Department will administer to a person they suspect of driving under the influence. These are physical tests the officer will use to establish reasonable suspicion to make you take a preliminary breath test. These physical tests include the walk and turn, leg raise, nose touches, and alphabet recitals.  Any RCPD officer worth his salt will typically orient his vehicle so that the in-dash video camera will record these physical tests.  If the tests were recorded, a competent Manhattan, KS DUI attorney will always request and review these videos

Don't Just Settle for a Diversion for a DUI

When you get a DUI in Manhattan, KS, Riley County, Geary County, or the surrounding areas, it's important to know that by entering into a diversion you agree to be found guilty if you don't successfully complete your diversion.  This means that if you fail to abide by the terms of diversion, you will likely get the full punishment of being found guilty of DUI.

Before you agree to a diversion, you should have a DUI attorney obtain discovery on your case to evaluate whether your rights haven been violated.  Otherwise, you might forgo your right to a trial when a trial would have been in your best interest.

Even if it turns out that, after review of the discovery, you still want to pursue a diversion, knowing that you have looked at the facts and circumstances surrounding your arrest will give you piece of mind to know that diversion was the right choice for you.

Contact a Manhattan, KS attorney today for assistance and a free consultation so you can know the options you have before you waive or forgo your rights.

Manhattan, Kansas District Court and Manhattan, KS Municipal Court

In Manhattan, KS, like most cities, has a Municipal Court and a District Court.  There is a difference, and it's important to understand what the difference is. 

The Manhattan, KS Municipal Court serves the City of Manhattan and is the place of venue for traffic and misdemeanor crimes committed in within the city limits of Manhattan.  Manhattan Municipal Court is on 610 Colorado Street near Manhattan Catholic School.  The Municipal Court does not, however, handle felony criminal charges.  It's likely, that if you get a DUI in Manhattan, KS, this is the court in which you will need to appear. 

The Riley County District Court is the State Court which handles other, generally more serious, criminal matters.  The Riley County District Court also handles the appeals from the Municipal Court.  The District Court is located at 100 Courthouse Plaza which is in downtown Manhattan, KS at 5th and Poyntz.  This is also the Court which handles divorces, small claims, juvenile crimes, personal injury claims.  

Often, I am at the District Courthouse and get asked for the location of the Municipal court by someone who has come to the wrong courthouse.  If you find yourself late for a 9:00 a.m. docket at the wrong courthouse, fear not, the Municipal Courthouse is just a few blocks South of the District Courthouse and shouldn't take more than 5 minutes commute. 

If you find yourself in  a position where you need to be at either courthouse, you might need to contact an lawyer to represent you.  If this is the case, please call a Manhattan, KS lawyer in the area for knowledgeable, personalized legal service to help you solve your DUI, criminal charge, divorce, or personal injury.

*This blog is not meant to be legal advice and should not be taken as such, but is an informational service created by Manhattan, KS attorney.  Hiring a lawyer is an important decision and should not be made on the basis of a blog alone. 

New Kansas DUI Law

On July 1st of this year a new DUI law in Kansas came into effect.  This law changes the charges for refusing to provide a blood, breath, or alcohol test when you have a prior DUI charge or DUI diversion.

Now, when you refuse a blood alcohol sample, and it's been less than 10 years since your alcohol related driving infraction the first time it's a misdemeanor.  The second time, a felony.  This compounds your problems considerably because now, you have a DUI, an traffic infraction from failing or refusing a Preliminary Breath Test, AND a misdemeanor or felony if you refuse to incriminate yourself by providing a blood alcohol sample.

If you have a DUI or other alcohol related charge, it's important to contact an attorney to help explore your options and determine if your rights have been violated.  Contact a lawyer in Manhattan, KS to help you evaluate your case.