San Diego DUI Lawyer Blog

In Hollywood, Florida four police officers were placed on leave after they were caught on camera scheming to cover up an incident involving one of the officers and a drunk driver.

Alexandra Torrensvilas, 23, of Hollywood, Florida who was later accused of driving under the influence was rear-ended by a police officer on February 16. According to her defense attorney Lawrence Meltzer, “This is the worst case of police misconduct I have ever seen.”

After officer Joel Francisco rammed into the back end of Torrensvilas vehicle, it was recorded on camera from the dashboard of his police car and also an audiotape of Sgt. Dewey Pressley is heard supposedly trying to recreate what actually happened.

“Well I don’t lie and make things up ever, because it’s wrong, but If I need to bend it a little to protect a cop, I’m gonna,” said Pressley.

“I will write the narrative out for you. I will tell you exactly how to word it so it can get him off the hook. You see the angle of her car? You see the way it’s like this? As far as I’m concerned, I am going to word it she is in the left hand lane. We will do a little Walt Disney to protect the cop, because it wouldn’t matter because she was drunk anyway,” said Pressley a 21 year police veteran.

“It’s disgusting the way the officer was so casual and how he manipulated the evidence in this case, he could very well face prison time,” Meltzer said.

The DUI charges that were made against Torrenvilas were dropped by the Broward State Attorney’s Office. They released the following announcement:

“The Broward State Attorney’s Office Wednesday dropped Dui and a traffic charge against Alexandra Gabriela Torrensvilas of Hollywood, the driver of the car involved in a collision with a Hollywood police cruiser Feb. 17 on Sheridan Street in Hollywood. The SAO’s action comes following a review of a videotape shot after the accident that could raise questions about the police account of the traffic mishap.”

Internal Affairs are investigating all four of the officers, Dewey Pressley, Joel Francisco, Karim Thomas and Andrew Diaz.

Police Caught On Camera Altering Report, 10news.com,July 29, 2009

Continue reading " Police Veterans Placed on Leave After Falsifying a Report Involving a DUI Crash " »

The Oceanside DUI checkpoint was set up to encourage safety among drivers and to decrease the number of people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Oceanside DUI checkpoint took place from 9:00 p.m. on Friday to 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, in the 1300 block of North Santa Fe Drive, in Oceanside.

The 14 citations given out by the Oceanside police were for people not having a license while driving, driving on a suspended license, operating a vehicle without insurance or possessing marijuana.

There were eight total drivers who took a field sobriety test for possible drunk driving. All of them passed and no DUI arrests were made, according to Sgt. Kelan Poorman.

Ten people who were driving without a license or a suspended license had their vehicles impounded. According to the California State laws, people driving without a license or on a suspended license can have their vehicles impounded for 30 days if caught by police.

OCEANSIDE: Ten cars impounded during checkpoint, North County Tyimes, July 27,2009

Continue reading " Oceanside DUI Checkpoint Nets 14 Citations " »

San Diego police made a number of arrests for drunk driving or DUI on Opening Day at the Del Mar Racetrack

In the areas of Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas police officials made 12 arrests for driving under the influence, four arrests were made for drugs, a felony arrest for weapons possessions and one arrest was made for drunk and disorderly conduct.

Law enforcement also made arrests inside the Del Mar Racetrack and local bars in the vicinity. There were five arrests made for having alcohol in an open container, four arrests were made for drunk and disorderly conduct, and one arrest for false identification.

The sheriff’s department’s goal was to make opening day safer for everyone. More Del Mar DUI patrols will be happening throughout the racing season.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

DEL MAR: Authorities step up DUI, alcohol patrols at racetrack, North County Times, July 23,2009

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Del Mar Racetrack Sees Several DUI Arrests on “Opening Day” " »

Wednesday is opening day at the Del Mar Racetrack and law enforcement agencies will be in full force tracking down motorists who are driving under the influence or DUI.

Today from 3:00pm until midnight the DUI task-force will be patrolling Del Mar, Solana Beach and the surrounding areas for DUI and drunk drivers and those who are driving on a suspended license. This is the first of many DUI saturations that will continue throughout the racing season.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

DUI saturation patrol for opening day, Sign on San Diego, July 21, 2009

California DMV: DUI procedures if you are pulled over

California DMV guidelines about driving under the influence

Continue reading " DUI Law Enforcement for Del Mar Racetrack Opening Day " »

Actor Jeffrey Donovan was arrested for drunken driving in Miami Beach after almost hitting a stopped police car, according to Florida police.

The 41 year-old actor who stars in the USA Network series “Burn Notice” was arrested by Florida police for driving under the influence after he failed a field sobriety test on July 12.

The suspected drunk driver told the arresting officer “Sorry I didn’t see the red light or your stopped car.” He also said, “I really think I’m only borderline and not too drunk. I had three drinks at the Fontainebleau. The only mistake I made tonight was drinking Benadryl with three glasses of wine.”

Before the incident occurred the officer heard a loud screeching noise and saw that Donovan had swerved his car to avoid slamming into his police car.

Donovan who refused to take a Breathalyzer test was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI and later released on $1,000 bail

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Driving drunk in the state of California will result in 2 cases being charged against the offender. The first charge processed will be by the DMV and another by the court system. Although, the case against the defendant by the courts contains two separate charges. According to California DUI attorneys these are known as the (a) and (b) counts (Vehicle Code 23152 (a) and (b). The defendant will only be punished once for both of the charges.

Actor Donovan arrested for DUI, San Diego 6 The CW, July 20,2009

Police: Jeffrey Donovan Arrested, Suspected Of DUI, 10 News.com, July 20, 2009

Web Related Resources
California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Actor Jeffrey Donovan Arrested for Drunk Driving in Miami Beach " »

The Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi has been suspended without pay for two games stemming from driving under the influence which she has pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges.

The team said in a statement on Thursday that Taurasi was suspended “for conduct detrimental to the team.”

“I am deeply sorry and embarrassed for causing this distraction for my teammates, the Phoenix Mercury, the WNBA, family and fans,” said Taurasi. “While I cannot say more with regards to the specifics of a case, I do want to make sure that everyone knows how much I appreciate their support and that I’ve learned a valuable lesson. I am committed to making sure a lot of good comes from this experience.”

Taurasi, 27, had just scored 22 points against the Seattle Storm for a big win. Unfortunately, the drunken driving guard is now facing three DUI related charges, including a charge for July 2nd for extreme DUI and speeding.

Taurasi’s blood alcohol level was 0.17 percent, which is over twice the legal limit in Arizona.

Mercury suspend Taurasi after DUI arrest, Sign on San Diego, July 16,2009

Continue reading " DUI Arrest Leaves Taurasi Suspended From Mercury " »

In Carlsbad a man driving under the influence of alcohol was taken into custody after hitting a pedestrian and fleeing from the scene.

Brian Campbell, 50, was allegedly driving drunk in Carlsbad about 3:10 p.m. on Sunday when his blue Chevy pickup truck hit Megan Smith 23, at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard, according to police Sergeant Paul Mendes.

Smith was treated for minor injuries by paramedics at the scene of the accident.

The Dui driver fled from the scene when officers approached Campbell. Soon after evading police, he crashed his pickup truck over an embankment in the 2500 block of Tamarack Avenue in Carlsbad where he was trapped in his vehicle.

After firefighters freed the intoxicated man from his truck, he was taken to Tri-City Medical Center for injuries. Campbell was taken into custody at the Vista jail where he was booked on suspicion of DUI, hit and run with injury, driving under the influence while on probation for DUI, driving on a suspended license, being involved in a traffic collision with injury while DUI, and driving under the influence with DUI priors.

Man Arrested in DUI Hit and Run of Pedestrian, San Diego 6 The CW, July 13,2009

Continue reading " Man Taken into Custody in Carlsbad DUI Hit and Run " »

A man suspected of driving under the influence crashes into the Chula Vista office of Bob Filner after driving over a spike strip laid down by police.

The DUI driver led the Chula Vista police on a high speed chase reaching speeds of up to 110 mph about 1:30 a.m. Sunday on State Route 54 after officers tried to stop the apparent intoxicated driver for speeding and not using his turn signals.

The drunk driver proceeded to lead officers onto southbound Interstate 805 before exiting on westbound Bonita Road. His silver truck stopped before hitting a spike strip that was laid down by a police officer at F and Third Avenue. Right then, the police officer pointed a gun at the man suspected of DUI and warned him to step out of his truck.

The DUI driver accelerated over the spike strip and through the intersection where he lost control, hitting a median, crashing and causing extensive damage to the Chula Vista office of Bob Filner at 333 F Street, according to Lt. Vern Solis.

The suspected drunk driver sustained injuries that were not life threatening and is being treated at the UCSD Trauma Center, once released he will be arrested and charged with driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license and felony evading police in this Chula Vista DUI case.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

Police: Drunken Driver Crashes Into Congressman's Office, 10News.com, July 5,2009

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Man Suspected of DUI Crashes into the Chula Vista Office of Bob Filner " »

Fewer San Diego DUI arrests were made over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, compared to last year, according to the California Highway Patrol.

This year’s holiday weekend there were 88 arrests made from people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs on San Diego roads and highways, 66 less than in 2008. No traffic fatalities occurred on San Diego roads this year, compared to three in 2008.

According to the California Highway Patrol, throughout the state of California there were 16 traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July weekend. 1239 DUI drivers were taken to jail on suspicion of drunk driving.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Bigger Crowds, Fewer Arrests at the Beaches over the 4th, San Diego 6 The CW, July 5, 2009

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " San Diego 4th of July DUI Arrests Down From Last Year " »

An Alpine man who has a history of driving under the influence of alcohol and was on a five day drinking binge when he struck and killed a bicyclist was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The DUI driver, Travis Weber was driving drunk in his truck on December 2 on Alpine Boulevard when he struck and killed Eddie Costa, 33, while he was riding his bicycle. The drunk driver left the scene but was arrested by police 2 days later when friends spotted his damaged truck at a bar across from where they were holding a vigil for Costa.

This was not the first time Weber was charged with DUI. El Cajon court records state that in June of 2005 he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of .22. He was also arrested with misdemeanor cruelty to a child by inflicting injury in 2004.

Driving Under the Influence in San Diego County

In California, it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any kind of alcoholic beverage or drug.

If you have 0.08 percent or more, by weight, blood alcohol concentration, you will be charged with DUI or driving while intoxicated if arrested. You may face a fine and jail time if convicted.

Drunk Driver Who Killed Bicyclist Gets 11 Years in Prison,KFMB News 8, June 26,2009

Hit & Run Suspect Had Prior DUI, NBC San Diego, December 8,2008

Web Related Resources
California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " Alpine Drunk Driver Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison For Killing Cyclist " »