DUI | Orange County Criminal Defense Blog

DUIs and hit-and-runs are two of the most common vehicular crimes on California roads. Both have different legal requirements in order for a prosecutor to convict a driver; both come with their own penalties, but when these cases overlap, you need a strong defense a skilled attorney. Being convicted of a combination of DUI and hit-and-run can lead to hefty penalties and years behind bars.

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The repercussions of a DUI often set in slowly for a defendant. At first, you may be focused on just keeping your license, avoiding jail time, and paying court fees, but there are further consequences you may have to deal with. While you may try to keep your arrest a secret for fear of hurting your reputation, your employer may eventually learn about your DUI. Even worse, if you are convicted, it could impact your career and ability to find future employment down the line.

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We’ve all seen one in action, whether in a dramatized commercial discouraging drunk driving or in real life. Breathalyzer tests are widely used by police officers to detect alcohol in an individual’s breath. The concept is simple: you put the device into your mouth and blow, and a number displays that either lets you go on your merry way or puts you in the backseat of a cop car. Read the rest »

Break out the nachos, chicken wings, and beer! It’s Super Bowl time! Time for you to watch silly commercials while cheering on your favorite team—or the one that offends you less. For you non-sporty folk, it’s time to play fun drinking games, like drink every time a celebrity randomly pops up in a commercial, or drink every time Justin Timberlake goes for a high note. Whatever else you do on Super Bowl Sunday, try not to drink and drive. Cops are on the lookout, and they have quotas to meet. Read the rest »

Driving while drugged or drunk is extremely dangerous. But which is worse? That answer seems to change each year. In fact, a recent Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report asserts that drugged driving surpassed drunk driving in driver deaths. Still, researchers say that more research is needed in this field.

In the legal world, drugged and drunk driving both fall under “driving under the influence.” Although they are related, they are not the same. Knowing the differences can be useful in fighting DUI charges, so let’s explore them. Read the rest »

Even everyday honest, hardworking, and law-abiding citizens make the mistake of getting behind the wheel after one too many drinks. It may have occurred after a company party or just a night out with the family. Whatever the case may be, these are people who’ve lead a relatively crime-free existence. In many instances, these people wake up the next morning regretting their terrible decision and don’t do it again. Read the rest »

When it comes to driving drunk, people come up with all kinds of rationalizations to engage in the behavior. Some of the classic qualifiers include:

• “I’m only buzzed.”
• “I’m high, not drunk.”
• “I’ve sobered up by now.”
• “I’ll chew some gum and they’ll never know.”

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With the holidays come parties, get-togethers of all shapes and sizes, from office gatherings to full family dinners. There is no denying that alcohol will play a role in some of these events. Which is why as the clock ticks closer and closer to New Years, law enforcement officials throughout Southern California are ramping up the efforts to nab suspected drunk drivers.  Read the rest »

San Juan Capistrano, CA — Authorities in Orange County are looking for A.B., 33, in connection with an alleged DUI accident that led to the death of his 5-year-old daughter last year. The accident occurred on March 22nd, 2014 in San Juan Capistrano where surveillance video shows the man's car crashing into an embankment after driving through a parking lot. Three of his other children were also seriously injured in the accident.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the defendant has not appeared in court since his arraignment. He is charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more causing bodily injury, all felonies, with one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license. According to the Orange County DA’s office, the defendant's BAC was .18 at the time of the accident, which is significantly higher than the legal limit.

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Orange County, CA — This time of year, law enforcement is especially concerned with DUI enforcement. With so many parties celebrating Christmas and the New Year, more drivers take to Southern California's streets and highways after having too much to drink, leading to traffic collisions and arrests. Here are two stories about local efforts to curb drinking and driving.

Geno Rose, a resident of Anaheim Hills, worked together with a San Diego software developer to create a smartphone app called DUI Dodger. The app allows users to mark DUI checkpoints on a map for other users to see. The app also includes a simulated walk the line test with a BAC calculator. Rose says he created the app so that sober drivers could plan their trips around DUI checkpoints to make it easier to get around and to deter people from driving if they've had too much to drink. However, the app has been criticized because of the potential for misuse. The app costs $2.99.

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