A 26-year-old man died when he was being held in jail following a Ventura County DUI arrest. According to ABC 7, the man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Chatsworth man was booked in Thousand Oaks. Later that morning, the authorities went to release him when they found him not breathing and unresponsive. He was alone in his cell and had even been served breakfast earlier that morning. An investigation is ongoing.
Any person facing potential jail time is likely to feel afraid and even overwhelmed about the unpredictable conditions they could face. Although this particular incident is rare, one can question just how common types of neglect, or even abuse, are in our prison system.
Potential jail time is one of many serious penalties that drunk drivers face in California. The authorities typically hold drivers immediately following an arrest for a short period of time. When released, the penalties continue with an immediate license suspension. Drivers charged with driving under the influence, even if it’s only a first time offense, may face jail time in addition to heavy fines, the installation of an ignition interlock device and an increase in their insurance rates.
It is crucial that individuals immediately seek legal guidance following a DUI arrest. There is a wide range of penalties drunk drivers face. Having an experienced DUI defense attorney on your side can make all the difference between jail time and walking away from it all with your driver’s license, freedom and dignity intact.
The Ventura County defense DUI attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have a long history of successfully handling DUI cases in southern California. If you or a loved one is facing drunk driving charges, please call our offices at 866-430-8383 today to discuss your rights.