<!–Saxotech Paragraph Count: 1–> By Terri Hallenbeck, Free Press Staff WriterMONTPELIER — Well aware that a heart-wrenching death in Burlington has renewed public attention in the issue, legislators Tuesday started the process of considering changes to the state’s drunken driving laws.“We were committed to DUI legislation before that,” said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bill Lippert,…Read More
DUI suspect Tasered after police chase by car, foot Jan 11, 2011 02:32AM Share E-Mail Print An Aurora man was Tasered by police after allegedly jumping out of a speeding vehicle in an attempt to avoid a DUI arrest early Friday in west suburban Montgomery, officials said. Michael McNair, 21, was charged with DUI and…Read More
MARTINEZ — For the second time in some 40 years, 83-year-old Vacaville resident Betty Rushton and her family left a Contra Costa County courthouse on Monday feeling the justice system failed them. In 1969, Rushton’s eldest of three daughters, Susan Rushton, was killed by a drunken driver in Richmond at age 19. The driver served…Read More
DESTIN — A 20-year-old woman has been charged with DUI manslaughter for an October car wreck that killed one. Franziska Christine Schroff of Destin was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.154 when she drove off the roadway on U.S. Highway 98 and struck a pole, according to an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s press…Read More
The Daily Journal A 20-year-old Ukiah man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Sunday after his truck overturned on Highway 101, the California Highway Patrol reported. According to the CHP, Derek J. Copley was driving a Ford F-150 northbound on Hwy 101 near Cloverdale at around 1:20 a.m. Jan. 9 when it…Read More
A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Sunday after losing control of his car on southbound Highway 1 near Riverside Drive, the California Highway Patrol reported. Michael Whallen of Pacific Grove rolled his 2001 Toyota Echo, which came to rest on the highway on a bridge over a small…Read More
Eric Ratliff, who has been with the department for 31 years, lost control of his unmarked vehicle and struck a concrete pole at Gibbon and South Patrick streets about 6:30 p.m., police said. He was off duty at the time. Ratliff was charged with driving under the influence and unreasonable refusal, a common charge when…Read More
Facts: College student observed drifting across lanes at 2:11 am. Strategy: Artz used expert knowledge of blood-alcohol science to prove that driver was less than .08% BAC when stopped, despite subsequent breath test results. Results: Client acquitted of all charges, wins back drivers license. Case dismissed. Court: Fullerton – Orange County Superior Court
Facts: Young producer stopped at San Fernando Valley checkpoint, fails BAC test. Strategy: Prove that blood alcohol was below .08% at time of stop. Results: All DUI charges dismissed, BAC charge reduced “Exhibition of Speed.†Won back drivers license Court: Van Nuys – LA Superior Court
Facts: Squeals tires turning onto PCH from Sunset. Blood alcohol exceeds age limit. Strategy: Take officer testimony at DMV, later show testimony is inconsistent. Results: DMV charge reduced to “Exhibition of Speed†(1 pt). Court: Airport – LA Superior Court
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