San Diego DUI Lawyer Blog

DUI arrest in Phoenix Arizona for Nikolai Khabibulin for driving under the influence of alcohol is being ordered to serve a fifteen day jail sentence at the Maricopa County Jail.

In August of last year, the hockey player was found guilty for his DUI back in February 2010 and the charges that stemmed from it. The Edmonton Oilers goaltender was pulled over by police for speeding in his black Ferrari. When police offered him a field sobriety test and a blood test, Khabibulin agreed to participate. His results showed that his blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.

Due to Khabibulin’s extreme speeding and high blood alcohol content, it is a minimum that the hockey player will have to serve a 30 day jail sentence. When Khabibulin arrived at his court appearance, he accepted the thirty days jail as well as agreed to pay the fine of $4,016, and last but not least, to partake in a treatment program. Khabibulin will spend half his time in jail and the other half of his sentence under house arrest wearing a monitoring bracelet. Currently, the hockey player has already finished his alcohol treatment program.

"I eagerly anticipate a timely return to Edmonton for training camp, where I will strive to be the best player, teammate and citizen possible," according to the 38 year-old drunken driver. Steve Tambellini, the Edmonton Oilers manager acknowledges the goaltender’s punishment and fully expects Khabibulin to complete his requirements before the Oilers training camp begins.

Khabibulin Going to Jail for Drunk Driving, The Vancouver Sun, July 27, 2011

Web Related Resources

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

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " DUI Jailtime for Oilers Goaltender " »

Del Mar DUI arrest for a well known Jockey on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol just hours after his big win on the opening day at the races.

According to the San Diego Police Department Lt. Andra Brown, the Jockey, Mike Smith, who is a Pasadena resident, was pulled over on Wednesday night near Carmel Valley Road around 11:30 p.m. in his 2011 Land Rover. Brown said that Smith was weaving and driving under the speed limit. This prompted a local officer to pull the Hall of Famer over and give him the option in completing a chemical breath test.

Due to his blood alcohol level, which has not been released to the public, the officer took the Jockey to county jail where he was released several hours later on bail. On September 1st the drunken driver is scheduled to make a court appearance for this incident. When Smith was contacted the next day after his arrest, Smith said "I got pulled over. I was taken down to the station and released. I am at work the next day. It's no big deal."

He later explained that the only person he is disappointed in is himself. According to the Jockey, he should have known better to not get behind the wheel after drinking more than two glasses of wine at 115 lbs. According to Joe Harper, the general manager as well as the President of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Racing Club, this incident will not legally inhibit the Jockey from future races.

Jockey Arrested On Suspicion Of DUI Apologizes, 10 News, July 21, 2011

DEL MAR: Hall of Fame Jockey Arrested on DUI Charges, North County Times, July 21, 2011

Web Related Resources

California DMV: Pulled over for DUI

California DMV on driving drunk

Continue reading " Del Mar DUI Arrest for Jockey Hall of Famer " »

A San Diego DUI crash in the Linda Vista area leaves the alleged drunk driver dead and four others hurt.

The San Diego DUI Crash happened around 8:40 in the morning on Saturday near Fashions Hills Boulevard on Ulric Street. The suspected drunk driver, Bryan Larman, 28, died after being taken to the hospital with massive head trauma, according to the county’s Medical Examiner’s Office.

Larman was driving under the influence in his Mitsubishi when he lost control of his car while trying to pass another car, then crashed into a Nissan Frontier on the other side of the road carrying four people. The 2 adults and 2 children’s injuries are reported to be “moderate to Major,” according to a San Diego Police Officer.

If you have a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more, you will be charged with DUI or driving under the influence if apprehended in the state of California. If convicted you can face substantial fines and jail time.

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.

Driver killed in Linda Vista DUI crash ID'd, KFMB News 8, July 17, 2011
Share7

1 Dead, 4 Hurt In Linda Vista-Area DUI Crash, 10News.com, July 17, 2010

Web Related Resources:California DMV:

Pulled over for DUI

California DMV on driving drunk

Continue reading " San Diego DUI Crash in Linda Vista Leaves One Person Dead " »

DUI arrest In Moreno Valley for Rodney King who was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of marijuana in his 1994 Mitsubishi.

King told CNN that he uses medical marijuana to cope with migraine headaches as well as lower back pain but did note that he should not have been driving while under the influence of the substance. The Moreno Valley police report explained that King committed “several traffic violations” however; speeding was not one of them. When King was signaled to pull over his vehicle, police asked him to participate in a field sobriety test which he agreed to complete. According to King, he was driving to his friend’s home that recently was purchased in Moreno Valley.

This incident is not his only run in with law. In 1996, King served a 90 day jail sentence for a hit and run he committed with his wife at the time. In 2004, he was arrested for driving while impaired. Last March, King was cited for not driving with a license in Arcadia California.

In the beginning of this year a CNN documentary aired with Rodney King telling CNN’s Don Lemon about his lifelong struggle with alcohol. King said “I'll always have an issue when it comes to alcohol. My dad was an alcoholic, the addiction part is in my blood…what I've learned to do is to arrest my -- addiction, arrest it myself, so I don't get arrested." When the Riverside District Attorney’s Office receives King’s case, it will be up to them whether or not they want to take legal action against King.

Rodney King Admits Using Prescription Marijuana, San Diego 10 News, July 15, 2011

Web Related Resources

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

Continue reading " DUI Arrest for Rodney King for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana " »

In DeKalb Georgia, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Ward, who had just won Dancing with the Stars was booked on a DUI charge very early on Saturday morning and was released later that day on $1000 bail. Ward was pulled over because he hit a curb with his car which is a sign of impaired driving. At the time of the arrest, cops explained that the football star showed symptoms of drinking such as bloodshot eyes. An officer who was speaking with Ward explained that he could smell the alcohol on his breath. According to a blood alcohol test that was taken by Ward, the test results showed that he had a positive reading of .128. In addition, Ward failed a series of field sobriety tests that were issued to him. When police asked him to complete the breath test, the wide receiver refused therefore was taken to jail.

According to Andrew Ree, Ward’s manager and agent, Ree explains that "Hines is deeply saddened by this incident and apologizes to his fans and the Steelers organization for this distraction.” Ward is scheduled to appear in court on October 6 due to his misdemeanor DUI charge.

Ward told officers at the time of his arrest that he had about two Corona beers three hours before he got behind the wheel. Since Ward is denying the DUI charges, then there should be some explanation as to why someone would fail a field sobriety test while sober!

Police Report Released On Hines Ward DUI Arrest, WTAE.com, July 12, 2011

Police: Hines Ward Failed Sobriety Tests, Hit curb, NBC Sports, July 11, 2011

Hines Ward, Dancing with the Stars Champ, Arrested for DUI, People Magazine Online, July 9, 2011

Web Related Resources

California DMV: Pulled over for DUI

California DMV on driving drunk

Continue reading " DUI Arrest for Football Star Hines Ward " »

DUI Charge In Fresno over Fourth of July weekend, for ex-Charger Lorenzo Neal who was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to a highway Patrol officer, the former fullback "Just ran off the road, struck a pole... nothing real major about it…luckily, he didn’t hit anyone.” Since the DUI incident, fans have been questioning his character and calling him a hypocrite because Neal was involved with Safe Ride Solutions, a group that provides safe rides to athletes who have had too much to drink. A Safe Rides Solutions promotional video advertises that "One wrong decision, one wrong DUI arrest, one accident can destroy it all in a second," and then Neal comes on camera by saying "They will come pick you up as well as your car and your friends and take you home safely."

According to a Highway Patrol officer, Neal failed a field sobriety test shortly after a round of golf. Neal’s response to the whole DUI incident was heard on air on Fresno’s KMJ radio station. "The truth of the matter is I wasn't double over the limit...I was very close to the limit. I mean, 0.11 or 0.10 and the limit is 0.08, so whatever." He also stated that he feels that the whole accident is being exaggerated and blown way of out proportion.

Luckily for the former Charger is that the California Highway Patrol did not take him into custody. Instead Neal was free to go with a friend; however he will have to attend his scheduled court appearance.

Former Chargers Fullback Arrested On Suspicion Of DUI, 10 News, July 6, 2011

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 " San Diego Former Charger Lorenzo Neal Arrested for DUI " »

In San Diego according to a few California state lawmakers, there isn’t much being accomplished with the DUI checkpoints, except the fact the checkpoints are bringing in tons of money.

Due to a thorough inspection of California police agencies, the results found that there is an inconsistency of drivers being arrested for driving under the influence and the number of cars being seized. For example, there were about 100 or more DUI arrests in Chula Vista but over 700 impounded vehicles. In 2010 at a DUI checkpoint, five drunk drivers were arrested by police in El Cajon, however there were 90 or so cars impounded.

The city of Escondido has the highest record of impound to DUI arrest ratios in all of San Diego County. The ratio was one DUI arrest to 12 impounded vehicles. According to Lt. Craig Carter of Escondido police explains that it isn’t about making money off impounded cars. Lt. Carter says “absolutely not. It’s about safety. It’s always been about the safety.” Lt. Carter also explains that there is a reason for odd ratio of DUI arrests and number of impounded cars. “Escondido has a higher number of unlicensed drivers based on the number of tows we appear to do. One of the ways we find that is through the DUI checkpoints."

Escondido makes $100,000 every year on towing contracts alone which concerns the state leaders of possible corruption. In Bell, California, corruption has already occurred because the city is making millions of dollars partly from the money coming in from impounded vehicles.

Millions Made From Cars Impounded At DUI Checkpoints, San Diego10 News, July 5, 2011

Web Related Resources:

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

California DMV guidelines about DUI

Continue reading " San Diego Making Millions Off of DUI Checkpoints " »