DUI Charges For Two Men Who Poured Gallons Of Water At Intersection

Brian Byers and Alexander Zambendetti were charged with Driving under the influence (herein “DUI”) in New Jersey. Byers crashed a car in New Jersey and then came back with Zambendetti to dump water on the street. The purpose of the water was to make it look like there was black ice. They were both arrested for DUI in New Jersey. Byers ran a stop sign and hit a guardrail. The car is registered to a family member and Byers then drove the car to his house near the crash site. They came back with five-gallon buckets of water and created icy road conditions. Their goal was to make it it look like the black ice was the cause of the accident. Officers saw one of the men without his shirt on in freezing temperatures and Beyers was sitting in the passenger seat. The officer also found two buckets of water. The water then froze and a snowplow had to come to drop salt at the intersection. Beyers was charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and disorderly conduct.

In Minnesota, disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor, which means that the penalty is up to 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine. Leaving the scene of an accident may also be a felony in Minnesota, which carries significant penalties.

In Minnesota there are four levels of DWI’s. A fourth-degree DWI is a misdemeanor and is issued when the driver has no prior DUI’s within the past ten years. For a fourth-degree DWI to be issued, the driver cannot have any aggravating factors involved. A third-Degree DWI is a gross misdemeanor. This means that the driver may have had one prior DUI within the past ten years or that an aggravating factor was involved. Another way a DUI can become a third-degree DWI is if the driver refused to take the breath test. A second degree DUI is also a gross misdemeanor. This means that the driver may have had two prior DUI’s within the past ten years. The driver also could have had one prior with an aggravating factor or refused the breath test. A first degree DWI is a felony, which means that the driver had four drunken driving convictions within the past ten years. Thus, depending on the mens criminal history, they will be charged with either third, second, or first degree DUI

If you have been charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, or disorderly conduct, contact an attorney right away. Invoke your right to silence and give our office a call. Our phone number is also listed in many of the phone directories in the jails throughout Minnesota. You can also store our firm number in your phone in case you ever need it. Beyers and Zambendetti will need an experienced attorney to represent them.

Max Keller is a 24-hour criminal lawyer. Because Max Keller is a 24-hour criminal lawyer, the phones are answered in the middle of the night to offer guidance to individuals in custody. A 24-hour criminal lawyer is always available and willing to talk to people who are seeking legal advice. We will pick up the phone when you call in the middle of the night. Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys also offers a free consultation. The 24-hour criminal lawyers at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys will take the time to find out the facts and circumstances before giving any legal advice. Call 952-913-1421 if you have been charged with a crime. Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys offers payment plans in most cases. We will talk with you about the process and steps that need to be taken to handle your case. We are aggressive and will take your case to trial.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

A Santa Clara University study shows that over one million people in Minnesota have criminal records. In Minneapolis alone, 5,713 crimes are reported annually within an area of 100,000 residents. These criminal cases require the defendants to present evidence challenging the prosecutor's narrative. So, when does the defense present evidence in a criminal case? Your defense team presents evidence at the trial phase right after the prosecution team completes outlining the facts it intends to prove and how its evidence will prove you guilty.
Media attention and public scrutiny after conviction can hurt your personal and professional reputation, especially if your criminal case is high-profile. One of the questions you may ask is: How do I handle media attention and public scrutiny after conviction in Minnesota? You can do that by familiarizing yourself with your rights, having a witness present during a media interview, minimizing media consumption, and taking a break from social media. Building a strong support system and working closely with a criminal defense lawyer can help you handle or minimize the impact of public scrutiny.
The timeline for filing pre-trial motions in a criminal case in Minnesota varies with the type of motion. A motion related to the discovery of evidence or dismissal of a criminal case must be filed at least three days before the Omnibus Hearing. The prosecution is then allowed to respond to the motions, and the court sets the timeline for these responses.