Orange County DUI Lawyer Blog

Last week, Nora Reyes of Santa Barbara was driving northbound on southbound Highway 101 in Santa Barbara. Passing motorists called the police to report her. When officers arrived, they saw her driving about 70 miles per hour and going the wrong way. They tried to stop her but she kept driving. Officers stopped the other drivers tho were traveling southbound so no collision could take place. The car eventually drove off of the freeway and into a ditch. The driver was taken into custody after officers noticed obvious signs of intoxication. She will likely be charged with driving under the influence and evading arrest.

Luckily, Reyes did not kill anyone while driving drunk the wrong way on the freeway. A similar incident occurred on the same highway weeks before and two people were killed. A possible defense to this DUI is that the freeways may be confusing and lead people to get on the wrong on-ramp. If you drink too much and want to get home, call a cab. Do not drive. If this woman would have killed someone she could have faced life in prison. Whether you live in Irvine, Lake Forest or Anaheim Hills, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " Drunk California Woman Drives Wrong Way on Freeway " »

In October, John Hansen was driving erratically and gesturing to other drivers on Highway 395 in California. After officers told him to pull over, he stopped in an alley and would not get out of the car or cooperate with officers. Officers had to close off the highway and then force Hansen out of the vehicle. Officers realized that Hansen was intoxicated so they arrested him for driving under the influence and resisting arrest.

Just as bad as fleeing the scene of a crime is resisting arrest. Both are added charges and add more time to your jail sentence. Hansen will likely have to spend time in jail, take alcohol education classes, have his license revoked and be put on probation. When someone does not come out of the car when officers tell them to, officers think that the suspect may have a weapon and try to kill themselves or others. This is a very dangerous situation and it deserves extra penalties. He likely thought that if he waited in his car long enough, officers would not be able to detect that he had been drinking. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Laguna Woods or Laguna Beach, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Drunk California Man Refused to Get Out of Car " »

Cydil Deann Kohlmeyer was walking in San Diego on Monday when she was hit by a Dodge Pickup driven by Deborah Felix. Felix was suspected of being under the influence at the time. After the accident, Felix tried to run away, but witnesses caught her and detained her until officers arrived. Kohlmeyer was rushed to the hospital, where she later died. Felix was also taken to the hospital and then arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. She will likely be charged with vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol and faces serious prison time.

Trying to run away from the scene of the crime is a crime that comes with more prison time. If you have been drinking and need to get home, ask a sober friend to drive you home or call a taxi cab. For this one mistake, Felix faces: prison time, a revoked license, alcohol education classes, monetary fines and probation. IF she hires a good attorney, a possible defense may be dangerous road conditions that lead to the accident. Whether you live in Fullerton, Irvine or Mission Viejo, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " San Diego Woman Killed in DUI Crash " »

This weekend, Ross Robert Huggins was arrested in Sacramento for driving drunk. He was pulled over after officers noticed him driving erratically. Officers said he smelled like alcohol so they issued field sobriety tests. He was then arrested and taken to jail. He admits he made a mistake and is willing to accept the consequences. Huggins had been a district attorney for over a decade and was assigned to the state-targeted offense program at the time of the arrest.

It is unclear whether getting a DUI as a prosecutor is grounds for termination. Besides possibly losing his job, he may have to go to jail, pay fines, attend alcohol education classes, have his license revoked and be put on probation. Additionally, he will have to face embarrassment in the legal community because lawyers are held to a high standard and are thought to know better than to drive drunk. Whether you live in Lake Forest, Irvine or Newport Beach, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Sacramento County Prosecutor Arrested for DUI " »

The Salinas Police Department thought of a creative way to get people to go through their DUI checkpoint instead of avoiding it. Officers will be offering free turkeys to some of the drivers who successfully pass through the checkpoint. This is the seventh year the police department has been doing this and it has attracted many people to pass through. While at the DUI checkpoint, besides the chance of winning a turkey, drivers also get DUI information and may be given field sobriety tests.

I think giving away a free turkey is a great way to attract people to a DUI checkpoint. The only problem I have with it is that most people who go to the checkpoint to get a free turkey, will not pass through drunk and the purpose behind the checkpoint is defeated. This may just be a waste of resources that instead could have been used during a night when most people do not know a checkpoint will be set up. Nevertheless, even if officers catch a few drunk drivers, the streets are safer and they have done their job. Whether you live in Tustin, San Clemente or Brea, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " California Drivers Flock to DUI Checkpoint " »

This weekend, Robert James Feenan was arrested for the 13th time for driving under the influence since 1983. On Friday, Feenan got into a non-injury crash in Santa Rosa and when police arrived, they determined that Feenan was under the influence. He was arrested and booked in jail on suspicion of driving under the influence with a felony DUI conviction, driving with a suspended license and violation of probation.

Habitual DUI offenders have alcohol problems and court ordered alcohol education classes and rehab are not enough. Even if the government makes a person take alcohol education classes, suspends their license, puts them on probation, and gives them jail, once that driver gets out, they may still drive drunk. The next step would be to install an ignition interlock device that would not allow a driver to start the car until they breathe into a machine installed in their car. This may be the only way to prevent habitual DUI offenders and alcoholics from driving under the influence and is now being used in some counties.

Whether you live in Orange, Fullerton or Stanton, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " California Man Arrested 13th Time for DUI " »

In 2006, Janene Johns fatally struck Candace Tift, a local teacher, with her car in Newport Beach while under the influence of Xanax, Ambien and cough suppressants. She was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Prosecutors argued that she fell asleep at the wheel and hit Tift from behind with the car. She had been on medication due to an illness and to help deal with grief after her husband's death. She was convicted last year and was sentenced to six years in prison. She appealed the decision in August, but the conviction was upheld this week.

Often times, people do not know that their prescription drugs can make them drowsy. If you drive while under the influence of any drug that impairs your driving, you can be charged with a DUI. Unfortunately, Johns may not have known about the effects of the drugs that made her fall asleep at the wheel and now faces prison time because of her actions. If you are on medications, make sure to read all of the directions and side effects before driving a car. Whether you live in Orange, Santa Ana or Huntington Beach, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Court Upholds Conviction of Newport Woman Who Killed Teacher " »

Donald Clark, a former Pittsburgh news anchor who worked under the name Don Cannon, was arrested this week for failing to report for sentence for two prior DUI convictions from 2007. Clark had pleaded guilty to both DUI charges and was supposed to report to jail in October to serve his time. He failed to appear though, and two bench warrants were issued. Police found his address through another officer who had talked to him earlier that day in court regarding another DUI. Police went to his house and arrested him.

Failure to appear in court or report for a sentence can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Besides the time Clark will have to serve for the two prior DUI convictions, he will have to serve more time for failing to appear. If you are sentenced to jail time for a DUI, you MUST serve. A lawyer may be able to reduce your sentence, prevent you from going to jail, or recall your warrant though. Whether you live in Laguna Niguel, Villa Park or Westminster, if you are charged with a DUI or have a warrant out for your arrest, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " News Anchor Don Cannon Arrested for DUI in California " »

Alexandra Forbes Kerry was pulled over this week for a traffic violation in Hollywood. Police officers detected signs and symptoms of Kerry being under the influence, so she was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor DUI. After posting bail, she was released and has to appear in court in December. Senator Kerry said that she was pulled over for expired vehicle registration and was released from jail after her breathalyzer results were below the legal limit.

If an officer believes you were driving under the influence of any substance and it is impairing your driving, they can arrest you for a DUI. If you have had anything to drink, wait until you are sober to drive or have someone else drive you. A DUI comes with possible jail time, probation and alcohol education classes. It can also stay on your record and disqualify you for jobs, degrees or licenses. Whether you live in Orange, Stanton or Laguna Niguel, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " Senator John Kerry's Daughter Charged with DUI in Hollywood " »

Last week, a Thousand Oaks woman was driving on the Highway 23 and 101 connector when she made an unsafe turn and crashed into the guardrail on a bridge. The woman was not wearing her seat belt so she was thrown around the vehicle and was seriously injured. When the ambulance arrived, she was not breathing and her heart had stopped. Emergency responders were able to revive her and she was rushed to the hospital. Investigators beleived that she was drunk at the time of the incident so she was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Even though this woman nearly died, she will still be charged with the crime she committed. She nearly killed herself and likely learned a valuable lesson about drinking and driving. People that get DUI's sometimes have drinking problems and it would be valuable for them to take alcohol education classes or go to rehab. With the economy the way it is, more people are drinking away their problems and that leads to DUI's, DUI accidents and DUI fatalities. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Laguna Hills or Stanton, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " California Drunk Driver Slams into Guardrail " »

Lake County is forming a new DUI program called the Lake County DUI Intensive Response Team. The purpose of the program is to prevent DUI accidents and prosecute DUI suspects. The program involves five different components. First, the program funds vertical prosecutors to handle felony and misdemeanor DUI's from the beginning to the end. This would allow the prosecutor to become familiar with the case and have their own investigators to assist with the DUI cases. Second, it requires DUI offenders to take counseling and alcohol education classes to prevent multiple DUI's. Third, the program provides a victim assistance program that assists the victim by explaining the court process to the victims and contacting them regarding any developments in their case. Fourth, the program would provide more probation officers to look after DUI offenders and make sure they are complying with the probation conditions. Lastly, the program provides education to the community, and especially the youth, on the dangers of drinking and driving.

This program sounds like it has all of the elements to be very successful and effective at reducing DUI offenses and fatalities. If successful, many other counties may model its multi-faceted approach. If you are charged with a first time DUI, you will likely have to pay court fines and get your license revoked for a few months. With this program, you would also be mandated to take alcohol education classes to prevent future DUI's and have active probation officers ensuring compliance to all probation conditions.

Whether you live in Fullerton, Newport Beach or Lake Forest, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " A California County Forms New DUI Program " »

In Manteca this weekend, police officers and police cadets set up a DUI checkpoint on Yosemite Avenue from 7p.m. until midnight. Around 500 vehicles passed through the checkpoint and about 15 vehicles were impounded due to drivers having suspended licenses or driving while intoxicated. One man tried to avoid passing through the checkpoint which alerted officers that something was suspicious. After police followed the man, he sped off and led police on a chase. The chase eventually ended when the man crashed into a neighborhood. Officers later found out that the fleeing man, Jose Alberto Calouro, was wanted on three no-bail felony arrest warrants for his alleged involvement in fraud and forgery offenses. Calouro was arrested and taken to jail.

Recently, California has been the recipient of many grants aimed at improving DUI prevention and education programs. With this money, many counties have been setting up more DUI checkpoints as well as sending out more patrol cars to monitor heavily populated areas. Since there are more officers looking out for drunk drivers, if you are driving under the influence, you will likely be caught. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Brea or Yorba Linda, if you have been charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " California DUI Checkpoint Leads to Pursuit " »

Elijah Leigh Ferguson had just returned from Iraq in February of 2008 and had attended a Liberty Briefing at Camp Pendleton where they discussed the effects of drinking and driving. Some of the Marines then played drinking games and Ferguson became intoxicated. Other Marines tried to take his keys away from him but he ordered them to give the keys back and then drove to Newport Beach. As he was waiting at a stop light, he accelerated before the light turned green, crashing into the Aston Martin vehicle in front of him. In the car were Dr. Michael Aung Sein and his wife. Dr. Sein was killed instantly and his wife was in critical condition. Police tested Ferguson's blood alcohol content (BAC) about three hours after the crash and his BAC level was still at a .12%, well over the legal limit.

The District Attorney charged Ferguson with second degree murder. The defense attorney claims that this charge should be reduced to vehicular manslaughter because Ferguson had post-traumatic stress disorder from Iraq and therefore could not understand the risks of drinking and driving. The prosecutor claims that Ferguson did know about the dangers of drinking and driving and decided to drive anyway. If he is convicted of this crime, he faces around 18 years to life in prison.

After being charged with DUI manslaughter, Ferguson was immediately discharged from the Marines. Besides that punishment, he will have to go to prison, take alcohol education classes, pay court and attorney fees and have his license revoked. Ferguson should have listened to his fellow Marines that told him not to drive. If you have had too much to drink, make sure you call someone to drive you home. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Lake Forest or Anaheim, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Ex-Marine Gets into DUI Crash in Newport Beach " »

Tommy Vincente Valenzuela was driving drunk in February 14, 2008. He failed to stop at a stop sign in Bakersfield and lost control of his vehicle. His vehicle crashed into another one, killing a passenger named Lila Aranda. He tried to run from the scene but was stopped, arrested and charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while driving drunk with prior drunken driving convictions. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for this incident.

In 2004, Valenzuela was charged with another hit-and-run accident that killed Jorge Pruneda Benavides. Investigators could not find proof that he was intoxicated at the time of that accident. Besides that accident, he had three DUI convictions from 1999, 2001 and 2003. It is likely that Valenzuela has an alcohol problem and will need alcohol education classes along with his prison sentence. Hopefully, after serving time and taking classes, Valenzuela will never drive drunk again.

Whether you live in Newport Beach, Orange or Brea, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " California Man Sentenced to 16 Years for DUI Manslaughter " »

The Orange County Sheriff's Department just received a three year, $874,852 grant for DUI prevention and enforcement. The grant will pay for DUI checkpoints, extra patrols, warrant searches and court stings (where officers follow people from court who have suspended licenses to see if they drive). The money will also be used to increase enforcement around big events like the O.C. Fair or sporting events. Additionally, money will be spent on extra officers around holidays such as St. Patrick's Day and Cinco De Mayo, to ensure that the roads are free of intoxicated drivers.

More DUI enforcement means more driving under the influence charges for the people of the county at first. After that, people will be aware that there are more cops around and that they are specifically targeting drunk drivers and people will be too scared to drive drunk. If you are celebrating an event and want to drink,arrange for a driver so that you do not have to worry about getting arrested. A DUI arrest will stay on your record and cost you quite a bit in fees. Whether you live in Westminster, Aliso Viejo or Stanton, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Orange County Gets Grant for DUI Enforcement " »

Joseph Anthony Phillips and Timothy O'Brian of Winchester, California were off-roading in Menifee on Wednesday of this week. These men had been drinking beers throughout the day and while off-roading and were not wearing seat belts. As they were driving on a dirt road, they picked up speed and the car lifted up over Leon Road and landed on an embankment on the other side of the road. Both men hit the dashboard and the windshield and were killed instantly.

The combination of alcohol, speeding and no seat belts often leads to death whether someone is driving on a paved road or not. It is very unfortunate that these men were killed while doing something that they likely thought was harmless and fun. Even while off-roading, a person may be charged with a DUI if they are driving while intoxicated. Whether you live in Laguna Hills, Santa Ana or Tustin, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " Two California Men Die From Off-Roading While Drunk " »

Youn Bum Lee pleaded guilty this week to the vehicular manslaughter charges that he faced for an accident that occurred in 2005. Lee and other employees of Hyundai went out to a company dinner in October of 2005. All of them drank plenty of alcoholic beverages at dinner and then Lee got into his car and left. He did not turn his headlights on as he drove and he veered into the carpool lane, crashing into the median in Santa Ana. Ryan Dallas Cook was riding his motorcycle and did not see the unlit car, crashing right into the vehicle. Cook died immediately and Lee drove away. He returned home and went to work the next day before deciding to flee the county and live in Korea. Investigators figured out that he committed the crime and extradited him to Orange County. He was charged and pleaded guilty to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated, with a sentencing enhancement of fleeing the scene. He is expected to be sentenced to around 9 years in prison.

Drunk driving lead to the death of Cook, the end of the career of Lee, and prison time for Lee. Lee should have asked one of his friends to drive him home or should have called a cab. Instead, he risked his life and the lives of others around him by driving. Fleeing the scene of a crime is a crime in itself and comes with additional punishments. If you have caused an accident, stay at the scene of the crime. Whether you live in Garden Grove, Villa Park or Ladera Ranch, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Former Irvine Hyundai Executive Pleads Guilty to DUI Manslaughter " »

Senator Leland Yee of San Mateo wants to pass a law that would revoke the license of a person who is convicted of more than a few driving under the influence charges. He says he is shocked that there is no upper limit to the amount of DUI's a person can get and still get back their driver's license. Right now, first time offenders lose their license for four months and a third time offender loses their license for three years. The more DUI's a person gets, the longer they have to wait to get their license again. Besides losing your license, you also have to pay court fees, higher car insurance rates, attend alcohol education classes and go to jail. Even with all these penalties, the Senator still believes that we are letting DUI offenders off too easily.

The article mentions a DMV report that claims that the more DUI's a person has, the more likely that person will be arrested again. After getting more than a few DUI's, it is likely that you may have an alcohol problem and it is best to take alcohol education classes or go to rehab before you get into an accident that injures or kills someone. Whether you live in Laguna Hills, Westminster or Newport Beach, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " Bay Area Legislator Considers Three Strikes Law For DUI's " »

Richard L. Rodriguez was arrested on Sunday morning in Santa Barbara on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. Allegedly, Rodriguez was heavily intoxicated and driving the wrong way on Highway 101. A vehicle was heading straight for him and the cars colliding, trapping all four passengers of the other vehicle. Two passengers of the car died immediately upon impact. The other two passengers were taken to the hospital with severe injuries. Rodriguez was also injured and after being released from the hospital, was arrested. Highway 101 in the Santa Barbara area was closed down for 5 hours due to the accident.

Rodriguez was only 20 years old and was drunk at the time of the accident. People under 21 should not be drinking because they are not mature enough to handle alcohol and its effects. Because of his decision to drink and drive, he will likely spend a large portion of his adulthood in prison regretting his decision to drive drunk. A defense attorney may argue that he should be granted some leniency due to his age. Other possible defenses include medical conditions or road conditions. Whether you live in Aliso Viejo, La Palma or Huntington Beach, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " Tustin Man Arrested for Fatal DUI Crash in Santa Barbara " »

Last Friday, Lake Elsinore City Councilman Thomas Buckley was pulled over by an officer who noticed that his front license plate was missing. After questioning Buckley about his license plate, the officer became suspicious that Buckley had been drinking. After issuing a Breathalyzer test, Buckley was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence. Prior to this incident, Buckley had been suspected of profiting from a land deal and was told he had to be up for a recall election in February. Most people think that this DUI will hurt his chances of being re-elected in the recall election. Buckley was apologetic and took full responsibility for the incident.

Often times, a DUI can ruin a person's career. People who hold titles or high positions are often under strict scrutiny by the public because of the influence they have on the community. Hopefully, Buckley learned a valuable lesson and will not make this mistake again. If convicted, Buckley likely faces fees, alcohol classes and a restricted license. Whether you live in Newport Beach, Fullerton or Laguna Niguel, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Lake Elsinore Councilman Arrested for DUI " »

In San Diego this weekend, a 17-year-old boy was riding in a car driven by a 20-year-old drunk driver on East Vista Way. As Reyes Miranda was driving, his car veered off the road, smashed through a bus stop and rolled over. Gerardo Chacon, the passenger of the vehicle, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car due to the impact. He died immediately. Miranda was badly injured and had to be taken to the hospital. After being released, he was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving.

Unfortunately for Miranda, it is possible that he will have to spend a long period of time in prison. Both of these boys were under 21, therefore were not legally allowed to be drinking. In cases where someone is under 21, a blood alcohol level of even a .01% qualifies as being over the legal limit and can result in a DUI. If you are not 21 yet, do not drink or you will face charges and steep punishments. Additionally, do not drive while intoxicated. Besides prison time, Miranda faces required alcohol education classes and a revoked license.

Whether you live in Orange, San Clemente or Brea, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you in fighting your charges.

Continue reading " California Teenager Dies in DUI Crash " »

Last week, Sherri Lee Chinn was driving on Highway 1, which is just north of Santa Cruz, when her car went from the southbound lane to the northbound lane. A man driving a motorcycle, Jose Absalon Barrientos, was hit head-on and died immediately. Passengers of a car in front of Chinn's car also got hit and were badly injured. Drivers stopped to help the accident victims and could smell the alcohol coming from Chinn. Officers arrived and after testing her, realized her blood alcohol level was at a .24% (three times the legal limit). All the injured people were taken to the hospital where another victim died. Chinn was arrested and faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

If Chinn is convicted of all these charges, she can face up to life in prison. Often times, people do not know that they are drunk because they have consumed just one or two alcoholic beverages. If a person's blood alcohol level is at a .24%, as in this case, the person has consumed far more than just a few drinks. If you are unsure about driving, call a cab or a friend to drive you home. Besides prison time, Chinn will likely have to take alcohol education classes and will have her license suspended for even longer. Whether you live in Stanton, Brea or Laguna Niguel, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " Drunk California Woman Kills 2 in DUI Crash " »

Earlier this week, a drunk man got behind the wheel of his Volkswagen Golf in Vacaville, California. Officers noticed that he was driving 100 m.p.h. so as they ran his license plate, he started swerving in and out of his lane. The officer tried to pull him over but he crashed into 2 cars, pinning one against the wall. The drunk driver jumped out of his vehicle just before it caught on fire. Police detained him and after testing his blood alcohol content (BAC), results showed that he had a BAC of a .21%. The man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and taken to jail.

The blood alcohol content limit in California is a .08%. This means that if an officer pulls you over and your Breathalyzer results show that you have a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher, you will be arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Sentences range from license suspension to jail time. Possible defenses include malfunctioning Breathalyzer equipment and road conditions that caused the driver to drive recklessly. Whether you live in Orange, Brea or Laguna Niguel, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " California Drunk Driver Causes Fiery Crash " »

Francisco Romero Gutierrez, 19, was driving in Fillmore on Sunday night while intoxicated. He lost control of his vehicle and it crashed into a metal guardrail. Gutierrez sustained a broken neck, abrasions and bruising. His passengers Cesario Sandoval and Jose Luis Solorzano were also injured. All three men were taken to the hospital. Gutierrez was then arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving.

Since this was a holiday weekend, many people were driving drunk. Luckily, Gutierrez did not kill anyone. The passengers in his vehicle should have made sure that he was not going to drive. Now Gutierrez faces jail time, court fines, a revoked license, probation and alcohol classes. Whether you live in Irvine, Laguna Niguel or Villa Park, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " California Man Crashes Car While Driving Drunk " »

This weekend, a 17-year-old boy led police on a brief chase through Moorpark, that ended with two police cars being hit. An officer saw the boy run a red light so the she tried to stop the driver, but he sped off. The driver then swiped two police cars before speeding up on Highway 118, exceeding speeds of 85 m.p.h. After a few minutes, the boy lost control of the car and it flipped over a few times. The passenger of the vehicle was thrown out of the car and the driver was trapped inside the car. After being rescued, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, causing injury while fleeing from a piece officer and driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury.

It is likely that this boy was so intoxicated that he thought he should take his chances and flee versus get caught for driving under the influence while being underage. Unfortunately for this young boy, he will likely face jail time, have to take alcohol classes, have his license revoked and get probation. If a police officer ever wants to pull you over, do not flee. You will be caught and face even more charges and steeper penalties. Whether you live in Westminster, Anaheim Hills or Villa Park, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " California Teen Who Led Police on Chase May Have Been Drunk " »

William Scott Simon was arrested in January for drunk driving when he drove into a parking lot through the wrong entrance, parked crookedly and stumbled into a Starbucks. Police tested his blood alcohol level, which revealed a .22% blood alcohol content. Last week, a judge sentenced him to two years in prison for this January event. Alone, this DUI would rarely qualify a person for 2 years in prison. This incident, however, was followed by six other DUI's spanning about 20 years.

Being charged with seven DUI's in around 20 years indicates that Simon likely has an alcohol problem. Beside prison time, it is likely that the judge may have recommended that Simon go to rehab, attend alcohol education classes and have his license revoked. Luckily, Simon has not hurt or killed himself or others around him yet. Hopefully, prison time will make him realize the severity of his crimes.

Whether you live in Santa Ana, Yorba Linda or Irvine, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " California Man Convicted for Seventh DUI " »

Around 1 a.m. on Sunday morning, Julian Martinez was driving drunk in Roseville, California. He accidentally fell asleep at the wheel and veered from the east bound to the west bound lane. He hit a van head on. The driver of the van, Manuel Espinoza, was killed immediately. The passengers Enedina Espinoza and her son David Espinoza were critically injured and were taken to the hospital. Martinez was arrested on the scene and is expected to be charged with felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges.

During holiday weekends, more people drink and drive, leading to more DUI accidents. Unfortunately for the Espinoza family, Martinez decided to drive even though he was intoxicated. If you are intoxicated and need a ride home home, call a taxi cab, take the bus or ask your friend for a ride home. Do not put anyone's life in danger. Whether you live in Fullerton, Newport Beach or Santa Ana, if you are charged with DUI manslaughter, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " California Man Killed & Family Injured by Drunk Driver " »

Dennis LeRoy Anderson plead guilty on Monday to driving while under the influence. After going to the Keyboard Lounge and drinking a few alcoholic beverages, Anderson got on to his motorized La-Z-Boy and accidentally crashed it into a car in the parking lot. Officers arrived and Breathalyzer results proved that Anderson had a blood alcohol level of .29%. They impounded his vehicle, arrested him and put him in jail. The La-Z-Boy was powered by the engine of a lawn mower and had a steering wheel, an antenna, headlights, a radio and a cup holder. Police estimated that the chair could go as fast as 15-20 m.p.h. The vehicle will likely be sold at the next police auction. A picture of the vehicle can be seen here.

People often think that you can only get a DUI while driving a car. This is wrong. You can receive a DUI while operating a bike, a motorcycle, a boat and almost anything else with a motor. If you are drunk, call a taxi cab to drive to you home instead of risking getting a DUI. Whether you live in San Clemente, Anaheim or Laguna Beach, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.

Continue reading " Man Gets DUI on Motorized La-Z-Boy Recliner " »

This week, Sacramento received a $1 million grant to use for aggressive prosecution and prevention of DUI related injuries and deaths. The money will be spent on a two year program that has two parts. The first part of the program will be for the prosecution of DUI offenses. A special team will be formed to prosecute DUI related offenses and take a vertical approach that requires one person to handle the case from beginning to end to more effectively prosecute DUI offenders. The second part of the program will be for the education of the community. A community service officer will present a drivers safety program using personal stories, photos and even a wrecked car to show the emotional aspects of DUI offenses. The educational program will teach safe driving as well as help passengers develop confidence to prevent drinking and driving by being assertive and taking the wheel if the driver is drunk.

This program seeks like a great way to reduce DUI injuries and fatalities while also being educational for people who may not know all of the dangers of drinking and driving. In California, DUI offenses have been going down and hopefully this program will further reduce DUI injuries and fatalities. Whether you live in Anaheim, Santa Ana or Laguna Woods, if you have been charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney right away to assist you.

Continue reading " Sacramento Receives $1 Million Grant for DUI Prevention " »