blood-alcohol-concentration

Published on: November 29, 2011

Costa Mesa Limiting DUI Checkpoints

Many cities throughout Southern California set up multiple DUI sobriety checkpoints during weekends and holidays. Costa Mesa, however, is choosing to conduct fewer checkpoints in favor or more DUI saturation patrols. By doing so, arresting officers are able to target more drunk drivers on any given night without having to announce the time and location prior to its commencement.

Unlike DUI sobriety checkpoints which are structured, DUI saturation patrol officers are able to roam the cities, ensuring the safety of motorists without having to make a big scene. Most motorists are able to research the DUI checkpoint locations and oftentimes, avoid a certain location knowing a checkpoint is scheduled to occur. The city of Costa Mesa believes that by reducing the amount of DUI checkpoints and relying more on DUI saturation patrols, officers can be more effective in arresting those who have been driving under the influence.

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Published on: October 24, 2011

DUI Accident Results in 7 Year Prison Sentence

by Staycie R. Sena

An Orange County Superior Court judge has sentenced a 28-year-old male to seven years in prison for a fatal DUI related accident that occurred in early July.

The accident occurred at 12:50am on July 17^th, 2011 when the male driver, Yannis Ismael Galanis, was driving his GMC pickup at high speeds southbound on the I-5 freeway near Disneyland Drive. After suddenly swerving into a lane, his GMC crashed into another vehicle and continued up a dirt embankment before hitting a concrete barrier; the truck re-entered traffic lanes before coming to a stop on the freeway. Galanis, whose BAC levels was 0.11 percent, and his passenger Edgar Murillo, were taken to the local hospital where unfortunately, 29-year-old Murillo died hours later.

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Published on: October 4, 2011

Orange County Teen Accused of Fatal DUI Accident

by Staycie R. Sena

A 17-year-old Orange County boy has been arrested and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, causing a collision and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The teen was driving a van northbound near the 1600 block of Harbor Boulevard near Disneyland at around 4am when he allegedly struck two homeless women who were walking at the crosswalk.

According to the investigation, one woman was thrown a considerable distance into the southbound lanes while the second woman came to a rest in the left-turn lane of the northbound lanes. Unfortunately, both women died at the scene of the accident and the teen was arrested and booked at the Orange County Juvenile Hall on several counts including a California DUI.

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Published on: September 14, 2011

Orange County Labor Day DUI Checkpoint Results

by Staycie R. Sena

In the last several weeks, Orange County has had more than its share of DUI sobriety checkpoints and DUI roving patrols. While most of these DUI checkpoints are announced prior to their commencement, it is not unusual for the location to be undisclosed or for the announcement to arrive literally moments before the checkpoint will be conducted.

During a recent anti-DUI campaign called “Avoid the 38”, officers were on the hunt for motorists who were driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs and their efforts proved to be fruitful. According to released statistics, over 856 people were arrested for driving under the influence in Orange County during the two week stint that started on August 19^th and ended on Labor Day, September 5^th.

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Published on: May 18, 2010

The Dos and Don’ts of a DUI Stop

by Staycie R. Sena

It is not illegal to drink and drive. It is illegal to drive if your blood alcohol content is at a concentration of .08 or above. It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs such that you can’t operate your car with the caution and care of a sober person. Unless you have previously been convicted of a DUI offense, however, it is typically not illegal to drive after a couple of drinks. This article is aimed at those drivers—those who drive after having had some alcohol, but are nevertheless afraid that they could erroneously be prosecuted for driving under the influence.

Before You Drive

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Published on: April 21, 2010

Why you need to schedule a DMV hearing if you’ve been charged with a DUI

by Staycie R. Sena

Getting arrested for a DUI or DWI in Orange County can be one of the scariest moments of your life. In the confusion of having to perform field sobriety tests, take a blood alcohol test and being taken to jail, you may not have noticed the pink sheet that the officer gave you if and when he confiscated your driver’s license. That pink sheet of paper serves as your temporary license and has an important warning: “You must call the DMV to schedule a hearing within 10 days of your arrest”.

Why is this so important? When you are arrested for a DUI or DWI, there are two agencies that prosecute you– the state (meaning the District Attorney’s office or City Attorney for those living in Anaheim) and the DMV. The state can impose penalties such as jail, fines, classes, community service and probation. The DMV imposes an additional penalty- it tries to suspend your driver’s license.

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