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DUI Checkpoints, also known as, Sobriety Checkpoints, are roadblocks, set up temporarily on public streets, to catch drunk drivers and to cite others for Vehicle Code violations. The police departments conducting these checkpoints must adhere to strict guidelines, which have been established by the Courts. Anyone who is arrested for DUI, at a sobriety checkpoint, should contact an experienced Orange County California DUI attorney to determine whether the checkpoint was conducted according to the guidelines. If the police department conducting the checkpoint did not follow the guidelines properly, the checkpoint is determined to be unlawful and any evidence obtained during the arrest may not be admissible in Court.

The guidelines for conducting a DUI Checkpoint are as follows: 1) The establishment and location of the checkpoints must be decided by supervisory police officers, not officers in the field; 2) Police must use a neutral mathematical formula, such as every driver or every third, fifth, or tenth driver to determine who to stop; 3) Proper lighting, warning signs and signals, and clearly identifiable official vehicles are required; 4) The location chosen must be most effective in actually stopping drunk drivers, such as roads which have a high incidence of alcohol-related accidents and arrests; 5) The time and duration of sobriety checkpoints are also important; 6) High visibility is required so that the drivers can easily see the nature of the roadblock; 7) Each motorist stopped should be detained only long enough for the officer to question the driver briefly and to look for signs of intoxication; and 8) Sobriety checkpoints must be announced to the public in advance.

The Supreme Court has also stated that motorists who want to avoid a roadblock may do so and not be subjected to being detained merely because they attempted to avoid the roadblock. The motorist must have committed a vehicle code violation or displayed obvious signs of intoxication for there to be probable cause to pull the motorist over.

Anyone who is arrested at a DUI checkpoint in Orange County should contact an experienced Orange County DUI Criminal Defense Attorney to determine whether or not their Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, were violated.

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A Newport Beach cyclist was killed after being struck by a 22 year old woman, suspected of driving under the influence. The 41 year old cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Shortly after, police arrested the woman on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Vehicular Manslaughter, while intoxicated, is a felony punishable up to 10 years in State Prison. However, in certain circumstance, the punishment can be more severe. In California, we have what is known as DUI Sentence Enhancements. This means that a sentence can be increased, depending upon the enhancement(s). Sentence enhancements in DUI cases include, prior convictions, a blood alcohol level of .15 or higher, test refusal and speeding and/or reckless driving.

Fortunately, there are defenses to Felony DUI, or Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated. In this situation, a good Orange County DUI Attorney should look at the possible defenses to vehicular manslaughter. Challenging the validity of the breath or blood test results, as well as challenging police procedures and/or misconduct must always be looked at. Some other defenses to Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated include: Rather than gross negligence, that the defendant acted with regular negligence; That the negligence what not what caused the death. That the acts of another person or forces beyond your control such as road conditions or weather were the cause of the accident and/or death. Accident Reconstruction Experts are often used when this type of defense is being offered.

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Costa Mesa Police Department recently conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Newport Boulevard and Flower Street. Four drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The State of California, Office of Traffic Safety funds these checkpoints, by way of a grant, which are being conducted on a regular basis all over Orange County, California.

DUI, or driving under the influence, charges are typically charged as misdemeanors. However, some DUI’s can be charged as felonies. A DUI that is charged as a Felony DUI, usually involves DUI manslaughter; DUI causing serious injury; 3rd DUI conviction within 10 years; and 4th DUI conviction at any time. Drunk drivers who cause injury, or DUI with injury is sometimes referred to as a “wobbler” charge, which means that it can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. However, prosecutors typically pursue the charge that carries the most punishment. An experienced drunk driving defense attorney, or DUI defense attorney, will have the knowledge and experience that is necessary to get the charge reduced to a misdemeanor.

A conviction of felony DUI carries a much more serious punishment than a misdemeanor DUI. A misdemeanor first offense DUI can be punishable by up to six months in the county jail, whereas a felony DUI can carry a year or more in state prison sentence.
A good Orange County California DUI Defense Attorney will be familiar with the variety of defenses available to someone who is being charged with DUI or Felony DUI. Some of the obvious legal defenses to felony DUI are challenging the underlying DUI. The appearance of being under the influence can be the same as fatigue and/or certain types of illnesses. Challenging the validity of the breath or blood test results and challenging police procedures and/or police misconduct. Other defenses might be that your negligence was not the actual cause of the injuries, but that there was something other than your intoxication or negligence that caused the accident and/or injuries.

Anyone charged with misdemeanor DUI or Felony DUI, should seek to hire an experienced DUI Defense Attorney, specializing in Drunk Driving Defense. An experienced Orange County, CA DUI defense lawyer should aggressively pursue and develope a strategy to defend your felony (or misdemeanor) DUI case and work to minimize all the negative consequences.

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The Orange County Sheriff’s Department conducted what they referred to as the “Winter Holiday Avoid Campaign” from December 17, 2010 through January 2, 2011. The campaign consisted of Sobriety Checkpoints, Special Saturation Patrols and routine patrols. The campaign resulted in 743 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. More of these “Avoid” anti-DUI campaigns are expected to be conducted periodically.

DUI, or driving under the influence, charges are typically charged as misdemeanors. However, some DUI’s can be charged as felonies. A DUI that is charged as a Felony DUI, usually involves DUI manslaughter; DUI causing serious injury; 3rd DUI conviction within 10 years; and 4th DUI conviction at any time. Drunk drivers who cause injury, or DUI with injury is sometimes referred to as a “wobbler” charge, which means that it can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. However, prosecutors typically pursue the charge that carries the most punishment. An experienced criminal defense attorney, or DUI defense attorney, will have the knowledge and experience that is necessary to get the charge reduced to a misdemeanor.

A conviction of felony DUI carries a much more serious punishment than a misdemeanor DUI. A misdemeanor first offense DUI can be punishable by up to six months in the county jail, whereas a felony DUI can carry a year or more in state prison sentence.

In Orange County California, being under 21 and driving with a blood alcohol of 0.01% or greater subjects you to the penalties under California’s “Zero Tolerance Law“. This means that even if you have only one drink, you may be found guilty of the offense. You do not need to be found to be “under the influence”, only that you consumed some measure of alcohol. Penalties for a minor being convicted of DUI vary according to the circumstances. Violating California Vehicle Code 23140 is an infraction and therefore not filed as a misdemeanor or felony. However, certain circumstances can cause the punishment to be more severe. Possible sentences include three to five years of informal probation; $390.00 to $1,000.00 in fines; up to one year in county jail; mandatory court-appointed alcohol class; and a six month driver’s license suspension.

The Department of Motor Vehicles has it’s own punishments/consequences for minor’s drinking and driving. If a minor violates the Zero Tolerance Law he or she will lose their driver’s license for one year, be required to attend and complete a minimum three month alcohol program; and possibly be ordered to participate in a “Youthful Drunk Driving Violation Program”. Participation in this program includes a visit to an E.R., the coroner’s office or a chemical dependency recovery center.

If you are arrested for DUI in Orange County, it is imperative that you seek the advice of an experienced Orange County DUI Defense Attorney. Every County has a way of handling cases that differ from other counties. An attorney experienced in criminal defense work in Orange County will be familiar with the Courtroom process, the individual District Attorneys and the Judges in the individual courtrooms. An experienced Orange County, CA DUI defense lawyer should aggressively pursue and develop a strategy to defend your felony (or misdemeanor) DUI case and work to minimize all the negative consequences.

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A 29 year old Santa Ana man was convicted of vehicular manslaughter after an accident he caused resulted in the death of another Orange County man. The 29 year old man, who has a prior DUI conviction, was intoxicated when his vehicle ran out of gas on the freeway, causing a three-car collision. His blood alcohol level was 0.20, approximately two hours after the accident, which is about two and a half times the legal limit.

Vehicular Manslaughter, while intoxicated, is a felony punishable up to 10 years in State Prison. However, this Orange County man received the more severe sentence of 13 years in State Prison due to some specific circumstances. In California, we have what is known as DUI Sentence Enhancements. This means that his sentence will be increased, depending upon the enchancement(s). Sentence enhancements in DUI cases include, prior convictions, a blood alcohol level of .15 or higher, test refusal and speeding and/or reckless dirving. In this case, the defendant had a prior conviction of DUI, a blood alcohol of .20 and what may have been considered reckless driving for allowing his vehicle to run out of gas in the middle of the freeway. Therefore, enhancements were imposed.

Fortunately, there are defenses to Felony DUI, or Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated. In this situation, a good Orange County DUI Attorney should have looked at the possible defenses to vehicular manslaughter. Challenging the validity of the breath or blood test results, as well as challenging police procedures and/or misconduct must always be looked at. Some other defenses to Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated include: Rather than gross negligence, that the defendant acted with regular negligence; That the negligence what not wat caused the death. That the acts of another person or forces beyond your control such as road conditions or weather were the cause of the accident and/or death. Accident Reconstruction Experts are often used when this type of defense is being offered.

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An 18 year old Anaheim man could be facing years in prison for causing the deaths of a father and son while driving under the influence of alcohol in Santa Ana. He is being charged with driving with a blood alcohol level of .13, vehicular manslaughter by an unlawful act causing death with gross negligence while intoxicated and sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury. This young man, in addition to DUI, is being accused of running a red light at a high rate of speed, both of which play a role in how severe the sentence will be should he be found guilty.

Vehicular manslaughter is when the death of another is due to illegal driving, including gross negligence, drunk driving, reckless driving or speeding. Vehicular manslaughter can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. There is also something known as gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The sentence exposure is anywhere from 1 year in jail to 15 years to life in prison. Gross negligence or driving a few miles over the speed limit may be charged as a misdemeanor. But, drunk driving resulting in a death will most likely be filed as a felony.

In this case, this young man’s sentence exposure depends upon whether he pleads guilty to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter or felony vehicular manslaughter. Facts that will be taken into consideration are whether or not he has any prior DUI convictions. Prior convictions of DUI can result in a charge of Second Degree Murder due to the fact that the individual knew the dangers of drunk-driving. Another fact to take into consideration is whether or not he committed an additional wrongful act and reckless driving such as speeding and/or running a red light. All of these issues play a role in determining how the case will be filed. Speeding and/or reckless driving can allow the District Attorney to add sentence enhancements to the charges, which makes penalty exposure more serious.

Fortunately there are legal defenses to Vehicular Manslaughter. An experienced Orange County California DUI Defense Attorney will be familiar with these defenses and the best way to utilize them to get the best result possible. A good DUI defense attorney would look at the validity of the intoxication evidence rather than some other reason for the impairment, as well as the blood or breath test results. Police procedures should always be looked at for possible misconduct. Another approach a good criminal defense attorney will look at is focusing on the accident and subsequent injury. Working with an accident reconstruction expert can help to determine whether the accident that caused the injury was truly the fault of the accused. Factors that a reconstruction expert will look at are things such as weather, road conditions, damage to the vehicles, and any other relevant evidence that is acquired. This is extremely important because, when police arrive at an accident scene where someone has been drinking, it is almost always assumed that the cause of the accident was due to drunk-driving.

If you have been arrested and/or charged with Misdemeanor Vehicular Manslaughter, Felony Vehicular Manslaughter, Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated or Felony DUI in Orange County California, whether involved in an accident or not, you will need a good Orange County California DUI attorney.

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A 24 year old Lake Forest woman and a 51 year old Fontana man were both arrested for suspicion of <driving under the influence or DUI, after they collided with each other.

According to statements taken at the scene, the 24 year old woman was unable to stop and ran through a red light, colliding with the Fontana man’s car. The Lake Forest woman was arrested for Felony DUI because the passenger in the Fontana man’s car was injured. The Fontana man was arrested for DUI.

DUI, or driving under the influence, charges are typically charged as misdemeanors. However, some DUI’s can be charged as felonies. A DUI that is charged as a Felony DUI, usually involves DUI manslaughter; DUI causing serious injury; 3rd DUI conviction within 10 years; and 4th DUI conviction at any time. Drunk drivers who cause injury, or DUI with injury is sometimes referred to as a “wobbler” charge, which means that it can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. However, prosecutors typically pursue the charge that carries the most punishment. An experienced drunk driving defense attorney, or DUI defense attorney, will have the knowledge and experience that is necessary to get the charge reduced to a misdemeanor.

A conviction of felony DUI carries a much more serious punishment than a misdemeanor DUI. A misdemeanor first offense DUI can be punishable by up to six months in the county jail, whereas a felony DUI can carry a year or more in state prison sentence.
A good Orange County California DUI Defense Attorney will be familiar with the variety of defenses available to someone who is being charged with DUI or Felony DUI. Some of the obvious legal defenses to felony DUI are challenging the underlying DUI. The appearance of being under the influence can be the same as fatigue and/or certain types of illnesses. Challenging the validity of the breath or blood test results and challenging police procedures and/or police misconduct. Other defenses might be that your negligence was not the actual cause of the injuries, but that there was something other than your intoxication or negligence that caused the accident and/or injuries.

Anyone charged with misdemeanor DUI or Felony DUI, should seek to hire an experienced DUI Defense Attorney, specializing in Drunk Driving Defense. An experienced Orange County, CA DUI defense lawyer should aggressively pursue and develope a strategy to defend your felony (or misdemeanor) DUI case and work to minimize all the negative consequences.

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An Orange County California man was convicted earlier this month for gross vehicular manslaughter after hitting and killing a pedestrian. The man was arrested an hour after fleeing the scene. His blood alcohol was reported to be three times the legal limit. This 41 year old Santa Ana man had three prior convictions for DUI or Driving Under the Influence.

Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated is a felony. The punishment is up to 10 years in State Prison or 15 years to life if you have prior DUI convictions.

A good Orange County California DUI Defense Attorney will be familiar with the variety of defenses available to someone who is being charged with DUI or Felony DUI. Some of the obvious legal defenses to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter or DUI’s in general are challenging the underlying DUI. The appearance of being under the influence can be the same as fatigue and/or certain types of illnesses. Challenging the validity of the breath or blood test results and challenging police procedures and/or police misconduct.

A Criminal Defense Attorney will attack the allegations of gross negligence in one of two ways. 1. That that you didn’t act with gross negligence but instead acted with ordinary negligence; and 2. That your gross negligence was not what caused the resulting death. That the acts of another person or forces beyond your control such as road conditions or weather were the cause of the death. Your attorney might hire an accident reconstruction expet to help in this type of defense.

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A 20 year old Lake Forest woman has been charged with 1 Count of Felony driving under the influence of alcohol with injury, 1 Count of driving under the influence with blood alcohol .08% or more causing injury and 1 Count of Minor driving with blood alcohol of 0.5% or more.

According to Lake Forest Deputies, the Orange County, CA woman hit a 16 year old girl after she lost control of her car and went up over a curb. The 16 year old girl suffered critical injuries, including broken bones and was in a coma for a period of time. The girl is expected to survive. If convicted, the accused faces up to 3 years in state prison.

DUI, or driving under the influence, charges are typically charged as misdemeanors. However, some DUI’s can be charged as felonies. A DUI that is charged as a Felony DUI, usually involves DUI manslaughter; DUI causing serious injury; 3rd DUI conviction within 10 years; and 4th DUI conviction at any time. Drunk drivers who cause injury, or DUI with injury is sometimes referred to as a “wobbler” charge, which means that it can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. However, prosecutors typically pursue the charge that carries the most punishment. An experienced drunk driving defense attorney, or DUI defense attorney, will have the knowledge and experience that is necessary to get the charge reduced to a misdemeanor.

A conviction of felony DUI carries a much more serious punishment than a misdemeanor DUI. A misdemeanor first offense DUI can be punishable by up to six months in the county jail, whereas a felony DUI can carry a year or more in state prison sentence.

In Orange County California, being under 21 and driving with a blood alcool of 0.01% or greater subjects you to the penalties under California’s “Zero Tolerance Law”. This means that even if you have only one drink, you may be found guilty of the offense. You do not need to be found to be “under the influence”, only that you consumed some measure of alcohol. Penalties for a minor being convicted of DUI vary according to the circumstances. Violating California Vehicle Code 23140 is an infraction and therefore not filed as a misdemeanor or felony. However, certain circumstances can cause the punishment to be more severe. Possible sentences include three to five years of informal probation; $390.00 to $1,000.00 in fines; up to one year in county jail; mandatory court-appointed alcohol class; and a six month driver’s license suspension.

The Department of Motor Vehicles has it’s own punishments/consequences for minor’s drinking and driving. If a minor violates the Zero Tolerance Law he or she will lose their driver’s license for one year, be required to attend and complete a minimum three month alcohol program; and possibly be ordered to participate in a “Youthful Drunk Driving Violation Program”. Participation in this program includes a visit to an E.R., the coroner’s office or a chemical dependency recovery center.

Anyone charged with misdemeanor DUI or Felony DUI, should seek to hire an experienced DUI Defense Attorney, specializing in Drunk Driving Defense. An experienced Orange County, CA DUI defense lawyer should aggressively pursue and develope a strategy to defend your felony (or misdemeanor) DUI case and work to minimize all the negative consequences.

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A 21 year old Fullerton, California man plead guilty last month to manslaughter for the 2009 deaths of his two friends when he lost control of his truck and hit a tree in Santa Ana, California. His friends were passengers in his vehicle and were ejected upon impact. The young man had a blood-alcohol level above 0.10 percent at the time of the crash.

This young man’s sentencing exposure depends upon whether he plead guilty to a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter or felony vehicular manslaughter. There is also Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated. The sentence exposure is anywhere from 1 year in jail to 15 years to life in prison. Some of the determining factors are that the person was driving under the influence or DUI, that while they were DUI they committed an additional wrongful act and reckless driving such as speeding. Another determining factor is whether it was a first, second or third or more offense.

Fortunately there are legal defenses to DUI. An experienced Orange County California DUI Defense Attorney will be familiar with these defenses and the best way to utilize them to get the best result possible. A good DUI defense attorney would look at the validity of the intoxication evidence rather than some other reason for the impairment, as well as the blood or breath test results. Police procedures should always be looked at for possible misconduct. Other defenses might be that your negligence was not the actual cause of the death or in this Santa Ana case, deaths. And, lastly, the accident itself. Was there something other than your intoxication or negligence that caused the accident.

If you have been arrested and/or charged with Driving Under the Influence in Orange County California, whether involved in an accident or not, you will need a good Orange County California DUI attorney.

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