Articles Posted in DUI

Sheriff’s deputies in Palmdale are putting motorists with outstanding DUI (driving under the influence) warrants on notice. Los Angeles Sheriff’s officials say they are actively going after motorists with outstanding warrants to dispel the idea that motorists arrested for DUI can avoid the consequences by simply ignoring or avoiding the court system.

Sheriff’s deputies are planning on fanning out into neighborhoods as they target high-risk DUI offenders with outstanding arrest warrants. Deputies will arrest those who failed to show up for a court date or those who violated the terms of their probation in an outstanding DUI case. Those who get caught can face increased jail time for failing to make a court appearance or for a probation violation.

It is critical for anyone arrested for driving under the influence to realize that pretending it never happened is simply not a good solution. Not showing up to your DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) hearing or court hearing is not going to help put your DUI arrest behind you. The better strategy is to immediately contact an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer who will aggressively fight the charges, represent you at the California DMV hearing, and ensure that your rights are protected. A skilled and knowledgeable drunk driving defense lawyer can help you get your driver’s license back, get your charges dismissed or reduced, and even help lessen your fines.

Several states across the nation from Virginia to California have passed laws requiring the installation of ignition interlock devices for DUI (driving under the influence) offenders. Some California counties, such as Los Angeles, are even requiring that first-time DUI offenders install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. According to a news report in RedandBlack.com, there is an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of these devices and if they actually prevent drunk driving. The debate has gotten louder with a Senate bill that is looking to add $24 million in funding to continue research on mandating the interlock devices in all cars by all manufacturers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there is a DUI fatality in the United States every 50 minutes. Drunk driving caused approximately 11,000 deaths in 2011, according to the NHTSA. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an advocacy group for DUI victims, claims that these devices save lives. MADD estimates that public health laws have saved 27,000 lives and that an interlock device is more effective than license suspension alone because more than half of all convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license.

Opponents feel that the government should not force car manufacturers to sell cars with these devices, but instead provide it as an optional feature. Others feel that while these devices may address the issue of drunk driving, it may not necessarily influence the individual attitudes with regard to the overconsumption of alcohol.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month in the United States. It is probably also a good time to remind ourselves and our children about the importance of spreading awareness about the dangers of alcohol abuse, especially among our youth. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among young people in the United States, even more than tobacco and other illegal drugs. Although it is illegal in California for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, people between the ages of 12 and 20 consume 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the nation.

When underage drivers drink and operate a vehicle, the consequences can be extremely severe. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23136: “It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater, as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test, to drive a vehicle.”

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s 2010 Statistics, Orange County cities recorded some of the worst numbers in the state for CA crashes involving underage drivers. Laguna Hills had the highest rate among very small cities, while Fullerton had the worst rate among mid-sized cities.

A 25-year-old Glendale man was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) after his vehicle rear-ended a gas tanker, ultimately causing a major fire and shutting down the 134 Freeway. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, California Highway Patrol officials say the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and rear-ended the tanker’s trailer. The tanker struck a guardrail and overturned, bursting into flames along the shoulder, under the 134 connector to the southbound 5 Freeway. Both drivers escaped without injury, as did a passenger in the car.

Driving under the influence can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. The seriousness of a DUI charge usually depends on whether there were injuries, fatalities, or significant property damages. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The same section also states that it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

The consequences of a drunk driving charge can also be severe. First-time offenders could potentially face jail time, CA driver’s license suspension, mandatory alcohol education program, and installation of an ignition interlock device. The cost of a DUI can also add up very quickly in terms of court fees, fines, and insurance rate hikes.

Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after she attempted to pass a cop car in her black BMW and ended up sideswiping the police vehicle. According to a TMZ news report, the 26-year-old Bynes was pulled over following the incident. Police conducted a DUI investigation and determined that she was intoxicated. TMZ reports that Bynes has been seen at several Hollywood parties recently.

On St. Patrick’s Day, TMZ’s camera crew saw Bynes leaving a club in Hollywood when she appeared to be extremely intoxicated. One of the cameramen tried to stop the actress from getting in her vehicle, but she got into the driver’s seat and took off. She apparently had another brush with the law recently when she “bolted from a cop who was writing her a ticket” for talking on a cell phone. She later went to the police station and signed her ticket. It is not clear if she will face any additional charges in connection with that incident.

Whether we are celebrities or commoners, drunk driving charges in Los Angeles can have serious consequences, which could include driver’s license suspension, jail time, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, and enrollment in an alcohol education program. Related costs such as court fees, fines, and CA auto insurance rate hikes can add up very quickly.

Singer Bobby Brown faces multiple charges after a traffic stop led to a DUI (driving under the influence) arrest. According to an MSNBC news report, Brown was arrested in Los Angeles. Officials pulled Brown over for talking on a cell phone while driving when they began to suspect he had been drinking. According to the report, Brown failed a CA field sobriety test and was booked at the Van Nuys jail. He has a prior drunk driving conviction on his record and he now faces three misdemeanors for the incident that could result in up to a year in jail.

A number of questions arise whenever a DUI arrest results from a CA field sobriety test. How many tests were given? Was the arresting officer qualified to perform the tests? Were the tests given on a flat and even surface? Was the driver suffering from any medical conditions that may have affected the test? Was he properly notified of his rights? Was a breath test performed at the site? When was the last time the Breathalyzer was calibrated?

There are ample opportunities for mistakes to be made during a DUI traffic stop. It is important that the rights of the driver are not violated and that wrongful charges do not result in a conviction. In addition, the penalties for repeat DUI drivers can be severe. Therefore, it is crucial for drivers to seek the guidance of a skilled DUI defense attorney before discussing the details of the incident with the authorities.

Each year, the Los Angeles Police Department and other police agencies in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties step up drunk driving enforcement during the holidays. This is also true for St. Patrick’s Day, which is not an official holiday, but is certainly a day that is famous for its raucous parties. Enjoying time with your friends and family members is an important part of any holiday. However, it is critical that you remember to not get behind the wheel while under the influence. Law enforcement agencies will be conducting Los Angeles St. Patrick’s Day DUI checkpoints and will be on the lookout for drivers who are operating vehicles while under the influence.

There are several steps we as drivers can take to avoid a DUI arrest this St. Patrick’s Day. First and foremost, it is important to avoid driving under the influence at any cost. Do not drive drunk and do not let your friends or party guests drive drunk either. If you plan on partying this St. Patrick’s Day, please assign a designated driver. If you have been drinking and cannot find a designated driver, call a cab or remain at the location of the party until you are sober and fit to drive.

The consequences of a California DUI arrest and/or conviction are severe in Los Angeles. Some of the most common consequences include: jail time, mandatory alcohol education programs, installation of an ignition interlock device, hefty fines, court costs, and an increase in insurance premiums.

Boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been officially charged with DUI (driving under the influence) stemming from an incident that occurred earlier in the year in Los Angeles. According to a TMZ report, Chavez Jr. was arrested in January after a routine traffic stop in Los Angeles. Officials approached his vehicle and allegedly detected a strong odor of alcohol. After taking a number of field sobriety tests, he was booked for DUI. The March 2, 2012 report states that the champion boxer faces three CA misdemeanor charges, including two for drunk driving and one for driving without a valid license. He could face up to a year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. He is due back in court later in March.

According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” To determine if a driver is under the influence, officials may conduct field sobriety tests or administer a Breathalyzer test. In either case, there is the potential for mistakes to be made and for harsh penalties to result from wrongful assumptions.

Anyone facing DUI charges in Los Angeles would be well advised to seek the counsel and guidance of a skilled Los Angeles DUI defense attorney before discussing the incident with the authorities. There are severe consequences for driving under the influence of alcohol in California, and saying the wrong thing to a police officer can be costly. A knowledgeable defense attorney will review the circumstances of the case and help defendants protect their rights.

Taran Noah Smith, 27, a child star from the hit television show “Home Improvement,” faces up to a year and a half in jail following a DUI arrest. According to a news report on E! News, the arrest occurred in a Los Angeles suburb. Officials say his 1998 silver Honda was parked in front of a fire hydrant when they approached his vehicle. They allegedly found marijuana in the vehicle, and Smith failed a field sobriety test. He faces misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence and possessing concentrated cannabis.

You do not have to be driving at the time of a traffic stop to face DUI charges in California. If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and have control of the vehicle, you may be considered driving under the influence. For example, sitting in a parked car with the keys, or even sleeping in a car that is idling, can result in DUI charges. Having the keys and being inside the vehicle is considered “driving” under the law.

According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” Even first-time offenders can face years of probation, fines and court fees between $1,400 and $1,800, a six-month license suspension, required DUI school, and mandatory jail time.

A top civilian official with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been arrested for driving under the influence after she was found inside her county-issued car passed out with her head on the steering wheel. According to a KTLA news report, California Highway Patrol officers found the female official stopped in the middle of the Foothill Freeway after receiving many 9-1-1 calls.

Officials say the woman was intoxicated with her foot on the brake pedal and her car in drive. A test two hours after her arrest showed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.20 percent, which is more than two times the legal limit. The woman apparently had one prior DUI conviction in 2009. She has been placed on administrative leave following the recent drunk driving arrest.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal under California law. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” It is also against the law to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher.