In Orange County Superior Court, a Westminster city councilman has been convicted of driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of 0.26 percent – which is more than three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent. According to a FOX news report, the councilman was involved in a car accident after he clipped another vehicle and crashed into a power pole. Neither he nor the occupants of the car he clipped were hurt in the drunk driving traffic collision.
Prosecutors charged the councilman with misdemeanor DUI and a high alcohol reading enhancement of driving while under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of 0.20 percent or higher. The councilman apparently reached a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to three years of probation, a 10-day work program, approximately $2,000 in fees and a nine-month alcohol awareness program.
If you are first-time DUI offender and your car accident does not involve injury to others, then you may not get jail time. Prosecutors may charge a misdemeanor DUI in these cases. However, if your DUI accident involves significant property damage and injuries to others, then you are looking at jail time and the possibility of a felony. If there are fatalities involved, then California vehicular manslaughter charges may be filed. A felony charge is a more serious charge than a misdemeanor because the chance of jail time or state prison and greater penalties is possible.
If you have been accused or drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs, please contact a skilled and experienced Orange County DUI defense attorney, who will advise you on the best course of action to take. Being accused of drunk driving in Westminster, Huntington Beach or Newport Beach does not mean you must plead guilty. Even if you have been arrested for a DUI, you have legal rights. Our firm has extensive experience in handling DUI cases. And you may not even be guilty of DUI! Please contact the skilled criminal defense team at Sitkoff & Hanrahan to find out how we can make a difference in your drunk driving case. For your free consultation, please call 866-430-8383 today.
Source report: http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/Councilman_Guilty_Plea_20090902