Oklahoma City’s Parking Stress Is About To Ease, For Awhile

Warning– geography of downtown Oklahoma City is a prerequisite to reading this article.

 

If you’ve been downtown for any length of time, you have noticed that parking spaces are limited in most areas.  While it’s good to know the situation is going to change soon, but it may be a short honeymoon.

Oklahoma City is seeing a renaissance of older buildings keeping their character while being renovated.  This is causing many businesses to move downtown and into midtown.  Currently there are nearly 1,800 parking spaces under construction from the Arts District to Midtown to accommodate the parking shortage and prepare for more people coming into the area.

All the new areas under construction are marked in red car icons.

How about underground parking?  Bricktown developer Don Karchmer is waiting for a study to determine the amount of track lines needed north of Main Street.  He plans to link to The Underground pedestrian tunnels that serve the central business district.  Bond Payne is working to redevelop the former Journal Records building at NW 5th and N. Robinson.

“We’re continuing to see positive absorption of downtown office space,” Beffort said, “In the next twelve to eighteen months, I expect we’ll need at least 500 – 800 more spaces.”

Original article: (click here)

Tom Hosty has over 23 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights. 

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Getting Oklahoma Highway Patrol Dash Cam & Audio Into The Open

Currently the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has an exception allowing them to NOT release dash cam video and audio recordings when asked.  This means when there is a need to know what happened during a traffic stop, arrest, field sobriety test or anything else, OHP can refuse to release their video and audio in question.  The OHP are the ONLY law enforcement agency with this exception.

WARNING- legal speak ahead.

Senate Bill 1513 is making it’s way through the Oklahoma Senate and had good intentions to remove the exception.  But now that looks to have been squelched.  Below is the text in question from SB 1513:

• “Provided further, law enforcement agencies may redact or obscure specific portions of audio and video recordings depicting law enforcement officers who become subject to internal investigation by the law enforcement agency until the law enforcement agency concludes the investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation and disciplinary process, the audio and video recordings shall be available for public inspection and copying.”

The goal is to have OHP aligned with the Oklahoma Open Records Act, so video and audio may be viewed.  The problem with the text is that OHP can state they are having an “Internal Investigation” so they don’t have to release their video and audio and the “investigation” can go on for as long as they choose. The Hosty Law Office is in favor of all law enforcement agencies complying with the Oklahoma Open Records Act, creating transparency for everyone involved with a potential crime.

Tom Hosty has over 22 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights. 

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

       

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District Attorney David Prater and Oklahoma Parole Board Settle

Since last year, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater charged the Oklahoma Parole Board with “Illegally voting on inmates’ request for early release without proper public notice.”  This was an alleged violation of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act which is a necessary level of governmental transparency.

Recently this has been settled resulting in:

• The five board members signed a statement of wrongdoing how the early release requests were handled
• Changes made to keep potential Open Meeting Act violations from happening again
• If the board ignores the changes, DA Prater may be able to seek indictments

D.A. David Prater did the right thing in following the law and holding people accountable.

If you are arrested, Tom Hosty has over 11 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights for DUI and other criminal charges.

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

   

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Texting / Dialing Raises Risk of Crash While Driving

How many times have we all heard, “Don’t touch that it’s hot” and you did it anyways?  We all can relate and understand that we do things that we shouldn’t, even though we know better.  Texting / dialing our cell phones while driving is closer than you think to touching a hot stove.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute created a real-world study confirming dialing, texting or reaching for a cell phone increases the risk of a crash or close-call, especially in young drivers.  The research also discovered something unexpected: talking on a cell phone did not prove dangerous.  (The study did not differentiate between hand-held and hands-free devices).

Other findings:

• 15 – 20 year olds account for 6% of all drivers on the road
  • 10% of all traffic deaths come from his group
  • 14% of all police reported crashes with injuries come from this group
• The risk of a crash increased SEVENFOLD for 15 – 20 year olds when dialing or reaching for a cellphone
• The risk of a crash increased FOURFOLD for 15 – 20 year olds when SENDING or receiving a text

Distractions are part of driving and must me managed or reduced.  The study found that engaging in distractions increased as time went on among inexperienced drivers but not with experienced drivers.

At least 12 states ban hand-held cellphones while driving and 41 ban text messaging.  37 states ban all use of a cell phone for new drivers and teen drivers.

The Hosty Law Office encourages all drivers to use a bluetooth device while driving.  If you receive a text message, don’t check it until the car is stopped and in Park.

Tom Hosty has over 11 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights. 

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your FREE office visit with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

 

Flawed Oklahoma DUI Form May Help The Convicted

Following a SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Test) the arresting officer needs to have a place where he/she backs up the facts that the driver was driving intoxicated.  On the current Oklahoma form a place for that does not exist.

WARNING: LEGALESE AHEAD-

In the current standardized affidavit form the arresting police officer will cite his/her facts impling the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated while driving.  But the sworn statement from the arresting police officer is not on the current form affirming the circumstances that led the police officer to judge that the driver of the vehicle violated Oklahoma’s DUI law.  This is a BIG difference in the eyes of the law.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE-

This affects people between 2008 – 10/2013 and a lawsuit has already been filed by attorneys.  This lawsuit could apply to thousands of cases and involve millions of dollars- possibly being refunded to people wrongly convicted / fined.  This will probably wind up in front of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

If you were convicted on a charge related to intoxication while intoxicated between 2008 – October 2013, you may be part of the current lawsuit.  Please give us a call to schedule your FREE office visit.  405-235-4040

The Hosty Law Office has been defending people for DUI/DWI/APC charges since 1992.  Tom Hosty is one of Oklahoma’s premier DUI attorneys and will stand up for your rights in court.

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Holiday Party Drink Alternatives To Alcohol

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, alcohol-related fatalities increased 10 percent from 2011 to 2012.  To help combat the holiday season drinking and driving Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma sponsored the 2013 Great Pretenders Mocktail Mix-Off held at Iron Starr BBQ at 3700 North Shartel.

The event was a mix contest themed with “zero-proof” drinks.  “Used with alcoholic drinks, they (zero-proof drinks) can slow down the absorption level of alcohol in the blood stream and can make them safer drivers,” Mai said.

There were nine teams made up of college students from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.  Three food critics rated the zero-proof drinks on four criteria — name, originality, taste and appearance.

The Hosty Law Office applauds events like this because they provide fun and new ways of multiple non-alcoholic alternatives for parties and other get-togethers.

Stat Alert for 2012-

• 38% of all traffic fatalities were alcohol-related
• November 2012- Oklahoma City Police made 197 arrests for DUI (driving under the influence) and APC (actual physical control)
• December 2012- Oklahoma City Police made 226 arrests for the same crimes; an increase of 12.8%

During this time of year (November and December) there is an increase of officers patrolling the streets looking for drivers that may be over the legal limit.  Signs police officers are looking for:

• Weaving
• Unsafe driving
• Driving slower and the normal flow of traffic
• Lane change without signaling
• All other traffic laws being broken

Aside from alcohol in your system, what else can make you appear intoxicated to an officer?

• The flu, cold medicine, too much food, lack of sleep and other factors may slow your reaction times or focus
• If you are having a problem with your medications
• Anything else to take your mind off the responsibility of driving your vehicle safely.

Original article

Tom Hosty has over 10 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights.

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your free consultation with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

204 North Robinson, Suite 1717

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oklahoma Inmates On Facebook

Oklahoma inmate searches for cell phones are regular occurrences, but the flow of smuggled cell phones doesn’t slow.  Inmates are using the phones to access Facebook reach out to family, women, post updates with selfies, access adult material and in one case- run a drug ring.

Oklahoma inmates gain access with smuggled cell phones brought in by family or a using a complex smuggling network.  With prisons that are in remote areas phones are sometimes thrown over the fences in bags.

How many are smuggled each year?  Since the beginning of 2012, records show that guards have caught inmates with cellphones or found evidence that a cell phone was used more than 3,000 times.  Of those inmates, around 200 were murderers.

Can the cell phones be blocked once they are inside?  No.  Prison officials continue regular shakedowns and searches, which are effective but only keep the number of phones low.  When inmates are caught with a cell phone, they face disciplinary measures that normally involve losing good behavior rewards.

Is this a danger?  It can be if you’re not careful who you contact, Like and receive messages from.  With everything you do online, common sense is your best safeguard.

The Hosty Law Office wants everyone to be safe online and to not blindly click on what is on the screen.  Ask yourself simple questions: “Do I know this person?” “Why was I contacted by this person?” “If I respond this will tell the other person I want to continue to communicate.”

If you find yourself in a blackmail, white collar crime, larceny or other criminal defense situation, we will help.  We will sit down with you and listen to your side of things.

-Thomas Hosty

405-235-4040

204 North Robinson Avenue, Suite 1717

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

http://www.HostyLaw.com

Handgun Permit Applications Increasing

This year, 2013, the amount of people applying for handgun licenses in Oklahoma is on pace to increase by 60 percent over 2012.  According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI).

The permit allows an Oklahoma resident to legally carry their firearm openly in public.  The former law only allowed for concealed carry (you may have your firearm with you, but it may not bee seen).

Jessica Brown, spokeswoman for the OSBI, “We don’t know why it went up so much.”  This trend is not alone to Oklahoma, other states are seeing similar trends.

Handgun Permit Application Submissions In Oklahoma

Miles Hall, Founder of H & H Shooting Sports, has seen this trend for himself and the demographic of people submitting applications is across the board.  His sports complex, here in Oklahoma City, is one of the largest in the Midwest where people may submit applications, receive professional safety training and advanced classes.

Betsy Randolph, spokeswoman for Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, thinks the increased violence in the past few years and press coverage of increasing gun control have led to people purchasing firearms and attaining concealed-carry permits.

Entire Article- CLICK HERE

Thomas Hosty of the Hosty Law Office asks that everyone follow the law and is responsible with a firearm at all times.

If something does happen and you find yourself or someone you know, needing professional criminal defense, he has over 21 years experience and will stand up for your rights in court.

405-235-4040

Are Privately Run Prisons A Long Term Option?

Front Gate

The prison population continues to rise in Oklahoma and it doesn’t look like that trend is going to change.  The number of inmates in state-run and private prisons now exceeds 26,700.

The Department of Corrections budget, unfortunately, is not growing to keep up with population increases.

In 2012 the amount of private prison beds leased by the state increased by about 1,000, totaling more than 5,800.  This is nearly a quarter of Oklahoma’s inmate population.

Rep. Gus Blackwell, R-Laverne is concerned about the current corrections system running at 98% capacity and that overcrowding is compromising public safety.  One possibility he mentioned was to increase private bed space by 3,000 to alleviate some pressure on the system.

In Oklahoma there are three private prisons contracting with the state.  One is at capacity and two others- Diamondback facility in Watonga and Great Plains in Hinton, both remain vacant.

Rep. Cory Williams, D-Stillwater and Rep. Blackwell agree private prisons may be a short-term option but long-term reform is necessary.

Taking a good look at why someone is being incarcerated is important.  Rep. Blackwell says that nonviolent offenders may be better served in community corrections instead of prisons.  Nonviolent offenders may up 52% of Oklahoma’s inmate population.

The Hosty Law Office understands that a change may be necessary to the corrections process and looks forward to the law being followed.

Tom Hosty has over 10 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights.

Once you have been arrested, time is critical. 

Call today and schedule your free consultation with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)

 

Photo: Wesley Fryer, Flickr

DUI MAY CHANGE TO MISDEMEANOR FOR SOME

The Skinny:

Back in 2011 Oklahoma passed a law elevating a DUI to a felony if the arrest was the second DUI within ten years of the first.  The defendant would have also plead guilty or no contest to the first offense.

Somehow, the law was applied retroactively to individuals who completed a deferred sentence prior to the enactment of the law.

Because of this, prosecutors (including Tom Hosty) have been arguing before the appeals court that the law is applicable to everyone convicted or pleaded guilty to DUI.  It has been ruled that the law cannot effect people and cases in the past.

Where Things Stand:

The decision gives hundreds of pending felony DUI cases may be changed to misdemeanors if the first sentence was completed before 11/1/2011.

Initial post by: Phillips and Associates

Anyone who thinks Attorneys are anything else than ethical and work for the best of their clients may go kick rocks.

Tom Hosty has over 10 years experience defending Oklahomans and protecting their rights.

Once you have been arrested, time is critical.

Call today and schedule your free consultation with Tom so you can start the process to protect your freedom.

The Hosty Law Office are experts in defending people arrested for drunk driving, DWI APC, drug charges, felonies and misdemeanors.  Call us so we can help; it’s what we do.

405-235-4040 (click to dial office)
405-210-3462 (click to dial Tom’s cell phone)