San Diego DUI Lawyer Blog

Socialite Paris Hilton who was arrested in Las Vegas on August 27th has been formally charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, while her boyfriend was arrested for DUI.

Hilton’s boyfriend, Cy Waits was driving a black Cadillac Escalade on the Las Vegas Strip when he was pulled over after police supposedly smelled marijuana coming out of the vehicle. Police arrested Waits on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Hilton was taken into custody after a small bag of white powder fell out of her handbag in front of the police officer while she was taking out a tube of lip balm. When the bag that was thought to be cocaine fell out, Hilton denied that the purse was hers and that she had borrowed it from a friend. Prosecutors in Clark County have now formally charged the socialite.

Hilton will be arraigned in a Las Vegas court on October 27th. She could face up to four years in prison and a fine of $5000 if convicted of felony cocaine possession.

If you are arrested for DUI or illegal possessions in San Diego, it may be in your best interest to obtain legal council from an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Hilton officially charged, San Diego 6 The CW, August 31,2010

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California DMV: Pulled over for DUI
California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

Continue reading "Paris Hilton Charged with Felony Cocaine Possession" »

A 90 day jail sentence was given to actress Lindsay Lohan by a Beverly Hills judge for violating her probation stemming from a 2007 DUI charge.

The 24- year-old "Mean Girls" actress, was not taken into custody right way, but was ordered to surrender to authorities on July 20 at 8:30 a.m. by L.A. Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel to serve a 90 day jail sentence. Lohan did not show up to seven of her alcohol education classes which led to the judge’s ruling.

“I did do everything I was told to do and did the best I could do to balance jobs and showing up,” Lohan said. “It wasn’t vacation, it wasn’t some sort of joke,” she said. According to Judge Revel, “Somebody who cheats and thinks it isn’t cheating if she doesn’t get caught,” referring to Lohan’s apology which the judge deemed insincere.

In 2007 Lohan pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of cocaine, and no contest to one count of reckless driving and two counts of driving with blood alcohol content over 0.08 percent.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Judge Sentences Lindsay Lohan To Jail, 10News.com, July 6, 2010

Teary-eyed Lindsay Lohan gets 90-day jail sentence on DUI charges (photos), Examiner.com, July 6, 2010

Web Related Resources:

California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence

California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

Continue reading "Lindsay Lohan is Sentenced to 90 Days in Jail Stemming from 2007 DUI Charge" »

$67 million in grants were given to California, statewide by the Office of Traffic Safety for traffic safety programs. In San Diego, $3.4 million in traffic safety grants were awarded to San Diego County, UC San Diego and five other cities, by the California Office of Traffic Safety. The grants are to be used for programs mostly to prevent San Diego DUI’s.

The OTS funds are to be used to give San Diego the resources it needs to fight San Diego drunk driving, and provide safety awareness programs.

“We have come a long way in California over the last four years,” Christopher Murphy said, Director of the OTS. “Every category of traffic fatality and injury has seen remarkable improvements. These grants will keep that momentum going,” he said.

The traffic safety grants were granted to the following San Diego local recipients:

San Diego County, $400,000, for DUI enforcement and awareness program
San Diego County, $200,000, for a Keep’Em Safe program
San Diego County, $575,000, for probation supervision of repeat DUI offenders
San Diego, $438,000, for DUI enforcement and awareness program
La Mesa, $123,000, for DUI enforcement and awareness program
Chula Vista $486,539, for repeat DUI offender prosecution
Chula Vista, $273,215, for DUI enforcement and awareness program
Oceanside, $261,597, for DUI enforcement and awareness program
Escondido, $250,000, for DUI enforcement and awareness program
UCSD, $425,719, for law enforcement and health professional training for age related driving disorder

County Receives Traffic Safety Grants, 10News.com, July 8, 2010

Continue reading "San Diego County Awarded Traffic Safety Grants by the California Office of Traffic Safety" »

A San Diego DUI crash in Leucadia sends three suspected drunk drivers to jail after they all crashed into each other on Interstate 5, according to the California Highway Patrol.

In a statement prepared by CHP Lt. Paul Golonski, “This is an example of how dangerous things are out there.” “Here we have three impaired drivers colliding with each other,” he said.

Carlsbad resident Todd C. Winter, 31, deserted his 2005 Ford Focus after rear-ending a large truck, then spun out, hitting the center divider as it went back into traffic leaving his passenger in the vehicle on Interstate 5.The vehicle was then hit by another alleged DUI driver, driving a 2002 Honda Accord, A few moments later the Honda was struck by a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette whose driver was also suspected of driving while intoxicated. He said he didn’t notice the crash and rammed into the Honda Accord.

All three men were arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol in the San Diego DUI crash. One of the DUI drivers and the passenger were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla where they were being treated for serious injuries. The two other alleged San Diego DUI drivers were booked into jail and were released on bail.

If you are arrested in San Diego for DUI, it may be in your best interest to seek advice from an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.
If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

3 Suspected Of DUI Arrested After Leucadia Crash, 10News.com, July 3, 2010

Web Related Resources:

California DMV on driving drunk

California DMV: guide to DUI arrest

Continue reading "San Diego DUI Crash in Leucadia Sends 3 to Jail on Suspected Drunk Driving" »

San Diego drunk drivers to face San Diego police, Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol over the July 4 holiday weekend during a DUI crackdown that will begin on Friday night.

The San Diego law enforcement will be out in full force over the July 4 three day holiday weekend to crackdown on San Diego DUI drivers. Saturation patrols and two San Diego DUI checkpoints will be set up to enforce drinking and driving laws. Oceanside, Vista, Escondido, and Chula Vista also have DUI checkpoints and patrols intended for the holiday weekend.

“Driving while drunk isn’t worth the tremendous risk,” said SDPD Chief Bill Lansdowne. “No matter what your age, if you’ve had too much holiday spirit, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high,” he said.

In 2009, there were 30 deaths that were DUI related in the state of California and 363 people were injured in DUI related accidents throughout the state. In San Diego County 88 DUI arrests were made in 2009.

Web Related Recources:
Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Local Authorities Promise July 4 DUI Crackdown, 10news.com, July 2, 2010

California DUI: DUI procedures
California DMV: guide to DUI arrest

Continue reading "San Diego DUI Crackdown Over July 4 Holiday Weekend" »

After artist Thomas Kinkade was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated he pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor DUI charge.

William Thomas Kinkade, 52, who is well-known for his “paintings of light”, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after being pulled over during a routine traffic stop and failing a field sobriety test that was administered by California Highway Patrol Officer Robert Lehman. The alleged DUI incident occurred on June 11, outside Carmel, Ca.

Kinkaid was booked into jail and released on bail the following day, according to CHP Officer Lehman. In the Monterey Superior Court his DUI defense attorney pleaded him not guilty and asked the judge to postpone a pretrial hearing until July 29

Kinkade, the alleged DUI driver who was not present in court had no comment on the advice of his DUI defense lawyer. If you are arrested in the San Diego area for DUI it may be in your best interest to obtain legal advice from a San Diego DUI lawyer.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Placerville native Thomas Kinkade pleads not guilty to DUI charge, June 22, 2010

Calif artist Thomas Kinkade, known for paintings of tranquil scenes, arrested for alleged DUI, June 14, 2010

Web Releated Resources

California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence

California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

Continue reading "Not Guilty Plea for Alleged DUI Arrest for Artist Thomas Kinkaid in Northern California" »

A San Diego North County bus driver for the North County Transit District was arrested on suspicion of DUI while driving a commercial vehicle, according to a sheriff’s sergeant.

David Joseph Costello, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, after failing field sobriety tests that were administered around 4:25 p.m. at 479 Encinitas Blvd. The 40 year-old alleged DUI bus driver was carrying eight passengers on Route 309 which travels on El Camino Real between Encinitas and Oceanside at the time of his DUI arrest.

According to Alex Wiggins, a spokesman for NCTD, “Our focus is 100 percent safety. We want to make sure not just our passengers, but also our employees are safe. Once our investigation is complete we will take whatever appropriate,” said Wiggins. Executive Director for NCTD, Matt Tucker said, “We take this allegation seriously, and will be very aggressive in investigating and taking whatever action is necessary to prevent a reoccurrence of this event.”

After a tip was given to dispatchers by a passenger who had got off the bus, stating that the driver seemed drunk and was making many unscheduled stops. Costello was arrested on suspicion of driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. He is being detained at the Vista Detention Facility.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

North County Bus Driver Arrested On Suspicion Of DUI, 10News.com, June 1, 2010

Bus Driver Accused of DUI, NBC San Diego, June 2, 2010

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California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

California DUI: DUI procedures

Continue reading "San Diego North County Bus Driver in Custody on Suspected DUI" »

A Chula Vista DUI checkpoint that was set up over Cinco de Mayo to target DUI and other vehicle violations nets 16 arrests, five were for DUI.

The Chula Vista DUI operation began at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and ran until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday in the 700 block of Telegraph Road, with 2350 cars going through the checkpoint, according to Chula Vista police.

Five motorists were arrested for DUI, driving under the influence and taken into custody, 15 motorists had their cars impounded, and there were 25 citations given for other violations, according to Chula Vista police.

Sheriff’s deputies went undercover in another DUI operation on Cinco de Mayo in the coastal communities of Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar where they arrested 11 people for drunk in public. One person was cited for marijuana possession. If you are charged with a DUI in San Diego County it may be in your best interest to obtain legal representation from an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

16 Arrested In Cinco de Mayo Crackdowns, 10News.com, May 6, 2010

Web Related Resources
California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

California DUI: DUI procedures

Continue reading "Five San Diego DUI Arrests Made in Chula Vista on Cinco de Mayo" »

A San Diego DUI suspect is behind bars after leading San Diego police on a pursuit that began in Encinitas and ended in Orange County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The alleged drunk driver whose name has not yet been identified was suspected of hitting a stopped car just after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday on Interstate 5 near Manchester Avenue in Encinitas. The man suspected of San Diego DUI continued northbound on Interstate 5 in a maroon Lincoln.

The Border Patrol and California Highway Patrol officers tried to bring the alleged DUI driver a halt near the San Onofre checkpoint but failed. CHP finally put out a spike strip just north of Junipero Sera Road in Orange County which flattened all four of the DUI suspects car.

The man suspected of driving under the influence was taken into custody into a San Diego County jail where he was booked on suspicion of DUI and evading police. If you are charged with driving under the influence in San Diego County, it may be in your best interest to consult an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer to discuss all of your legal options.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have a 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Suspected Drunk Driver Leads Police On Pursuit, 10News.com, April 5, 2010

ENCINITAS: Suspected drunken driver arrested after pursuit, North County Times, April 5, 2010

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California DMV: Pulled over for DUI
California DMV on driving drunk

Continue reading "San Diego DUI Suspect Arrested in Orange County after Leading Police on Chase" »

The grandson of the founder of NASCAR has DUI and drug possession charges dropped.

J.C. France, who is the grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France, was suspected of DUI, driving under the influence of drugs after a police officer pulled him over for speeding and running a red light in his green 2007 Lamborghini on October 8, 2009.

The DUI and drug possession charges were dropped against France, who is a driver on NASCAR’s Grand-AM Series, after a judge decided that the police officer that pulled him over was outside his jurisdiction at France’s request.

If you are charged with DUI or drug possession it may be in your best interest to obtain legal advice from an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer who can explain all of your legal options.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Drug possession, DUI charges dropped against racer J.C. France, grandson of NASCAR founder, Fox 5 News, April 23, 2010

Web Related Resources

California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence

California DMV on what happens when you’re arrested for DUI

Continue reading "NASCAR Founders Grandson has DUI and Drug Possession Charges Dropped" »

A Southern California DUI arrest was made after police pulled over ex-NFL running back Corey Dillon for driving under the influence near Malibu.

Police stopped 35 year-old Dillon, after he was driving slowly behind the officer’s patrol car on Mulholland Drive to prove the paper license plates on his 2010 Chevy Camaro, just before 4:00 a.m. according to Lt. Richard Erickson.

“Dillon displayed multiple symptoms of being under the influence, and he admitted to having been drinking earlier in the evening,” said Lt. Erickson. The suspected DUI driver was arrested but later released.

The former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots player who won a Super Bowl ring in his first season and retired in 2007 was booked into the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of DUI but released on a citation to appear on June 21 in a Malibu court.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Ex-NFL Star Arrested For Alleged Drunken Driving, 10News.com, April 21, 2010

Ex-NFL star arrested for alleged drunken driving, Sign on San Diego, April 21, 2010

Web Related Resources

California DMV guidelines about DUI

California DUI: DUI proceedures

Continue reading "DUI Arrest for Former NFL Running Back Corey Dillon" »

A San Diego suspected drunk driver pleaded not guilty to charges of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter stemming from a January incident when the SUV he was driving crashed into a Carl’s Jr. and killing a patron.

Seventy-five year-old Richard Alfred Daus, who had a blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit when he drove his SUV out of control and crashed into a Carl’s Jr. killing patron Randy Eugene Smith, 66, who frequented the restaurant regularly. The impact threw Smith across the restaurant about 40 feet where he died instantly.

Witness Craig Burger testified in the El Cajon fatal DUI accident that he heard noises and saw an SUV speeding through the parking lot as he was sitting in his truck. “I thought, this guy’s going to kill somebody,” said Burger. As the vehicle sped 361 feet across the parking lot, Daus did not brake, said El Cajon police Detective Timothy Roberts. According to the alleged DUI driver’s San Diego DUI attorney, Daus was not aware that he had even been in a crash.

Daus, who in 1988 was convicted for DUI in Alaska and in 1952 he, had a reckless homicide conviction in Cook County, could face 15 years to life in prison for the San Diego fatal DUI crash. A readiness hearing is scheduled for May 18 and a June 1 trial has been set.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

Driving under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug in California is against the law.

If you have 0.08 percent or more by weight, of alcohol in your blood, you will be charged with a DUI if apprehended. You could be facing fines and jail time if convicted.

Man Pleads Not Guilty In DUI Crash That Killed Diner, 10News.com, April 13, 2010

Web Related Resources

California DMV: guide to DUI arrest
California DMV on California laws regarding driving while under the influence

Continue reading "San Diego Alleged Drunk Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal DUI Crash" »