Legal Blog

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus or HGN is a key tool in law enforcement’s arsenal to investigate an alleged DUI. Defined as the “involuntary jerking of the eyes that occurs when eyes gaze to the side” the HGN has been validated as one of the most reliable indicators of driver impairment when compared with all the other…

It is no secret that a holiday weekend brings an increase in traffic driving through the Green Mountain State.  This increase is especially felt on the two major highways which cross the State; I-89 and I-91.  As a result, Vermont Law Enforcement has made it clear that they will be increasing their presence on the…

Attorney Evan Chadwick of Chadwick Law, traveled to Alpharetta Georgia in order to participate in a vigorous three day training regarding the process and science behind a Drug Recognition Evaluation that accompanies many Vermont DUI prosecutions. Attorney Chadwick received a thorough overview in the 2015 NHTSA/IACP DRE Pre-School & DRE 7-Day training curriculum that officers…

An officer needs probable cause  in order to be to search a vehicle without the owner’s consent.  Despite Vermont decriminalizing the possession of under an ounce of marijuana in 2013, the smell of marijuana alone still grants law enforcement the probable cause they need to request a search.  This reality was recently reinforced in Judge…

Part 2  of the series on the Vermont DUI Process Following the DUI investigation and the receipt of a citation, which tells you the date and time of the initial hearing on a DUI, the case turns from an investigation, into a prosecution.  For Vermont DUIs, the initial hearing is termed as an arraignment, which…

For many facing a DUI first offense, this experience is the first time they have ever come into serious contact with law enforcement.  If arrested for a DUI-first offense in Vermont the initial handcuffing and ride in the back of a police cruiser certainly is enough to scare most otherwise law abiding citizens straight.  However,…

There are easy encumbrances to identify in the land records such as mortgages, liens and judgements.  Then, there are other interests  that are not so clearly defined, such as rights of first refusal, easements and other language in the land records that raise a question as to whether or not a property should be considered…

Vermont is a tough place to get to.  With its mountainous terrain and narrow single lane roads that curve through the rugged landscape, it can be difficult for many to get from point A to point B within a reasonable amount of time.  Add some snow or ice, and the task can seem next to…

Vermont is best know for its rural charm.  Small towns with under 3000 residents are the norm throughout Vermont’s landscape.  Also, in a similar fashion, many of these town offices are quaint in size and somewhat unique in how they index their land records. From online databases, to card catalogues to “ledger sheets”, it can…

The biggest question our firm gets when advising clients on the ramifications their Vermont traffic ticket or DUI suspension is whether or not the violation will be transferred from Vermont to their home State.  The clear answer to this riddle is that in most cases Vermont will report the violation to the home state pursuant…