Entries from July 2007
The Sacramento D.A. office is starting to track down repeat drunk drivers who fail to make their court appearances. Two investigators have been focusing on finding these drunk drivers because it has been found that they contribute to about 58% of alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
The state of California needs to do more to help these people instead of just throwing them in jail again. The drunk driving numbers are increasing, so this is a sign that something more needs to be done.
Back in 1997, San Diego started a similar program called the San Diego Traffic Offenders Program (STOP). This program consisted of plain clothes officers following repeat offenders out of the courthouse, arresting them and impounding their car if they got in a car and drove off. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the program was successful in reducing fatal and injury collisions overall. I don’t know if the program has continued until this day, but I think it’s something that they should still be doing
We still have yet to pinpoint what program is going to help solve the problem of drunk driving. Will it be harsher sentences? Innovative technology? Sobriety checkpoints? Counseling?
If you or someone you know needs help with their DUI case in San Diego, call an experienced San Diego DUI attorney!
Categories: Opinion
What are the key things you should do when you’ve been pulled over for drunk driving in San Diego?
Being pulled over for drunk driving can be a little stressful, but it’s important to remember the details of what happened during the arrest. Keep in mind that the case against you is based on the report that the arresting officer filed, so it‘s good to be on your best behavior!
Police officers take a special course for drunk driving arrests and are taught to take notes of everything that happened from the beginning when they first observe a suspect up until the time the suspect is taken to the police station and given a chemical test. In essence, everything that you do and/or say can be used against you during trial. In California you don’t have a right to speak to an attorney until after you’ve submitted to a blood or breath test.
Many people wonder if they can represent themselves in court…and although you could do this, I don’t advise it unless you know the law inside and out about drunk driving! It is a very complicated issue and a San Diego drunk driving attorney can help you with all the different procedures, information gathering, and all the paperwork! Hiring a lawyer will save you so much time and headaches…
Categories: Opinion
When it comes to drunk driving, can we all agree that there is a huge problem in the U.S.? I’ve come up with solutions to stop drunk driving including teaching our kids the dangers of drunk driving at an early age or more TV commercials warning people about drunk driving. Well, the state of New Mexico has required ignition interlock devices on first-time drunk driving offenders. Since implementing this requirement, drunk driving-related accidents have decreased in this state.
New Mexico is actually making the convicted offender to pay for the device. Some say that a more effective solution would be to revoke drivers licenses, however, I think people would still continue to drive. With the ignition interlock device, at least the car wouldn’t be drivable if the person was drunk.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if the government would require all the automobile manufacturers to install the ignition interlock on all new cars? Well, the older cars wouldn’t have them, but at least we’d know that in the future perhaps drunk driving wouldn’t be such an issue.
If you’ve been charged with drunk driving in San Diego, be sure to hire a lawyer who sincerely cares about helping you with your case!
Categories: Opinion
During these holiday weekends traffic increases on this blog and I’ve noticed that people are searching for sobriety checkpoints in San Diego. Does it mean that they have plans on drinking and driving and want to know where these checkpoints are? If this is you – do not do it!
Moreover, every weekend like this one the CHP beefs up patrol cars. Can you imagine what would happen if they did this every weekend? Do you think that would reduce drunk driving incidents by a significant amount?
Well, if you do happen to get caught drunk driving this weekend, make sure you hire a San Diego DUI lawyer!
Categories: San Diego DUI News
A San Diego DUI lawyer shares these most common mistakes to avoid when you’ve been arrested for drunk driving:
1. Failing To Request A DMV Administrative Hearing.
2. Making any assumptions – like thinking that if the Breath Result Is Greater Than .080, The Case Is Lost.
3. Not putting it in Writing
4. Gather Your Witnesses
5. Hiring a DUI lawyer based on the amount of the fee alone.
6. Failure to call an exclusively DUI lawyer.
7. Failing to appear in Court.
8. Failure To Become Educated And Understand The Dangers Of A DUI.
9. Failure To Properly Evaluate The Fourth Amendment Implications On A Case.
I do believe the most important thing you can do is to try to remember all the details of the event. Do you remember the conversation that you and the arresting officer had when s/he pulled you over? Who else was around when this happened?
All of these mistakes are important, but another one that really sticks out in my mind is #8 – Failing to become educated and understanding the dangers of drunk driving. I think one of the best ways to become educated is to simply read information on the internet and consulting with a San Diego DUI lawyer will also definitely help.
Categories: Opinion
