Legal News

Court hearing set on unbid Ala. computer contract

A judge is hearing a request by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley to dismiss a lawsuit filed by legislators challenging a computer contract issued by Riley's administration.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tom King is conducting the hearing Thursday morning in Montgomery. King got the case after all of Montgomery's circuit judges stepped aside.

Members of the Legislature's Contract Review Committee filed the suit over the Riley administration's contract with Paragon Source. They want the unbid contract canceled. Officials in the Riley administration say Paragon is the only company that can do the work.

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Alabama DUI Charges Dropped Against Mobile DUI Lawyer

A DUI charge against a Mobile, AL DUI lawyer has been dropped due to lack of evidence.

The prosecution was stymied by the defendant’s refusal to take a Breathalyzer test when he was pulled over Dec. 6. He spent a night in the Mobile County Metro Jail and, because he would not take the Breathalyzer, had his driving license suspended for 90 days, in accordance with Alabama law.

His attorney, Richard Alexander, said, “A seasoned prosecutor looked at this thing and made a decision that he was not going to be able to prove the case.”The Mobile DUI Lawyer himself has been quoted in the Press-Register as saying he advises his clients in Alabama DUI cases not to take Breathalyzers.

The prosecution said the threat of not being able to drive in response to refusing a Breathlayzer might carry more weight if state law required a suspension for six months or longer.

“If they refuse to take the test — and DUI lawyers know it best — it makes it difficult to win the case,” Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran said Thursday.

This was the second DUI charge dropped against the lawyer who specializes in DUI law. His initial Alabama DUI charge came in 2001. The case was dropped provided he didn’t get another DUI within six months.

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