If you are caught driving under the influence on the job, especially if you are responsible for the lives of young children, you will be facing very serious charges. A recent report in the Ventura County Star talks about a school bus driver in Ojai who was arrested for driving under the influence while on the job. The drunk driving accident occurred when the 53-year-old female driver was trying to make a U-turn on an Ojai street. The bus struck a pickup truck.
There were 31 students in the bus but luckily no one was injured. The bus driver took a breath test and was booked for driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. California law prohibits commercial drivers, including bus drivers, from driving with blood alcohol levels of 0.04 percent or greater, although the legal limit for non-commercial drivers is 0.08 percent. The news report states that the driver admitted to drinking alcohol the night before. She has been charged with misdemeanor DUI and child endangerment.
A person charged with DUI on the job, especially while driving a school bus, is looking at serious consequences. If convicted, the defendant may lose her job and may not be able to find another job as a school bus driver or in any other responsible position because of this DUI conviction on her record and potential loss of a commercial driver’s license.
In such cases, it is critical for anyone charged with a DUI to seek the counsel of an experienced Ventura County DUI accident defense lawyer who can help defend against these drunk driving charges or at least have the DUI charges reduced. A lot is at stake in these cases – a person’s career, job and future. There is also the looming possibility of significant jail time as well. If you are facing DUI charges in Ventura, Los Angeles or Orange counties, please contact an experienced DUI defense attorney at Sitkoff & Hanrahan for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call 866-430-8383 today.
Source: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/sep/30/ojai-school-bus-driver-suspected-of-drunken-on/