California Man Sentenced to 1 Year in Jail for DUI Manslaughter

Ruperto Lopez Rojo was sentenced to 1 year in jail and 5 years of probation for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence with great bodily injury. In 2008, Rojo was driving his Mustang with passenger Pablo Macias. Rojo was so drunk that he was driving on the wrong side of the road. He saw oncoming traffic and suddenly veered off the road and crashed. Macias was killed instantly and Rojo sustained injuries. Rojo could have received 17 years for this crime, but instead the judge took his age, remorse and criminal history into account and sentenced him to just one year in jail. After serving his time in jail, Rojo will be deported since he is an illegal immigrant.

Many illegal immigrants are charged with crimes. If they commit a violent felony, they may be deported back to their country of origin. It has been found that once someone is deported, they are more likely to commit a crime when they come back to the U.S.

Rojo was lucky to get such a minor sentence for vehicular manslaughter. A good DUI defense attorney may be able to lower your sentence if you are charged with a DUI. Whether you live in Santa Ana, Orange or Laguna Beach, if you are charged with a DUI, call an experienced DUI defense attorney to assist you.


If you want to know more about driving under the influence, manslaughter, or your own charges, call Orange County criminal defense attorney William Weinberg @ 949.474.8008 in his Irvine office.