The Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura Police Department have received substantial grants to combat drunk driving. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, authorities in Oxnard received a $250,000 grant and Ventura officials received $150,000. Both cities have appeared on the list of the 50 cities with the most fatal DUI accidents in California. The grants will be used to specifically target drivers who are under the influence by increasing DUI patrols, checkpoints, and other enforcement efforts.
The California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System reported eight fatalities and 106 injuries as a result of DUI accidents in Ventura County. Clearly, drunk driving is a serious problem, but it is important that the rights of California’s drivers are protected, even through these enforcement efforts. Drunk driving enforcement usually increases during the holiday season when police are at full force.
With an increase in the number of DUI checkpoints and patrols, there is the potential for an increase in the number of wrongful DUI arrests. There is also the potential for drivers’ rights to be violated during the investigation and arrest. It is critical in such cases that defendants have experienced DUI defense lawyers on their side, who will fight for their rights and make sure that wrongful charges are dismissed.
The skilled Ventura DUI defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have a long history of successfully handling drunk driving cases in Ventura County. Please call us at (866) 430-8383 to schedule your free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.