The Wright Firm's Weblog

Beer for World Peace!

In honor of National Beer Day, the Wright Firm presents this story of beer and the law:

Naming rights in the liquor industry are a huge legal issue.  Everyone wants their microbrew’s name to be as unique and have just as much flavor as the beer itself.  Recently however, two different microbrews found themselves BOTH using the name “Salvation” for their product.  Prime fodder for an infringement lawsuit, right?

Rather than sue, the brewers actually contacted each other and attempted to work out a solution themselves.  What resulted was a new product that blended the two potentially infringing beers into a hybrid called “Collaboration Not Litigation Ale.” 

Now attorneys in the business warn that this could cause problems for the brewers in the future, as the lack of aggressive protection of a trade name can make a beer company lose value.  The brewers claim not to be worried as they have no intention of every selling their businesses. 

While beer can bring people together, if you love it too much it can get you into legal trouble in the form of DWI, divorce, or possibly even bankruptcy.  If you’ve drunk yourself into a tight spot, The Wright Firm is here to help!  Give us a call at (972) 353-4600 or check us out on the web at www.thewrightfirm.com.  And please – Always drink responsibly!

Original article from the American Bar (not THAT kind of bar…) Association Journal can be found here:  http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/bottoms_up_litigation_down_microbrewers_forsake_litigation_opt_for_collabor/

 

Texas “No Refusal” Weekend

The standard rule in Texas, when it comes to drinking and driving, is that anyone driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher is considered legally impaired and will be issued a DWI. Typically, when a driver is pulled over and the police suspect the driver has been drinking, the driver will be asked to perform several tasks, known collectively as a field sobriety test. In addition, the driver will be asked to take a breathalyzer. Generally, the driver will be allowed to refuse the breathalyzer but will be penalized for the refusal with a 180-day automatic suspension of driving privileges.

But, this weekend the State of Texas has implemented a “no refusal” weekend for the Fourth of July holiday. While several cities across the United States have implemented “no refusal” weekends in the past, Texas is the first state to issue a state-wide policy. Police officers attribute the “no refusal” mandate based on evidence that the Fourth of July weekend is the number one holiday for alcohol-related fatal crashes. Last year’s Fourth of July weekend produced a total of 337,000 car crashes in Texas alone.

The “no refusal” weekend begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 1, and ends at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. Under this policy, anyone suspected of driving a car or boat while intoxicated and who refuses to take a breathalyzer will have a search warrant issued to them and their blood drawn. So a word to the wise – enjoy your holiday weekend but be smart, safe and don’t drink and drive.

For more information contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 (phones answered 24 hours a day) or visit our website at www.thewrightlawyers.com.

 

Texas Social Host Liability: Don't Serve Alcohol to Minors!

Social Host Liability is the legal term for the criminal and civil responsibility of a person who furnishes alcohol to a guest. In most cases, social hosts in Texas are not responsible for guests who drink too much at their home. However, there are exceptions, a big one being when a host serves alcohol to minors.  If a homeowner provides alcohol to minors or allows minors to consume alcohol at their residence, they are liable for any injuries caused by the intoxicated minor. That is exactly what happened in Georgetown, Texas to Donna Crites. Mrs. Crites was sentenced to three years of probation and one week in jail for providing alcohol to her underage son and his friends to make about 200 gelatin shots. Five of teenagers who had been drinking at the Crites’ residence were seriously injured in a car accident. The driver told investigators that he consumed as many as 40 of the shots. Mrs. Crites plead guilty to five counts of purchasing or furnishing alcohol to minors over the incident.

For more information and/or a free initial consultation about social host responsibility and under-aged drunk driving contact The Wright Firm, L.L.P. at 972-353-4600 (phones answered 24 hours a day) or visit our website at www.thewrightlawyers.com.  Meet with one of our criminal defense attorneys in Dallas, Denton, Lewisville, Frisco, Plano, or Ft. Worth, Texas.

This Site is a public resource for general information about The Wright Firm, L.L.P. and Texas Law.  Nothing in this Site should be construed by you as a source of legal advice. You should not rely or act upon the contents of this Site without seeking advice from your own attorney. Use and access to this Site or any materials or information provided on this Site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Wright Firm, L.L.P. or any of its attorneys,  nor is this Site a substitute for legal advice. Any information submitted by you by The Wright Firm, L.L.P. or its attorneys via this Site, an email, or any form of social media communication will not be considered an attorney-client communication or otherwise be treated as confidential or privileged in the absence of an executed Engagement Agreement between you and The Wright Firm, L.L.P. or its attorneys.