Holiday DUI Arrests
According to media reports, holiday DUI arrests in Los Angeles County were up this year from the same period last year despite the fact that courts are increasingly handing out tougher sentences for DUI convictions.
More than 1,000 people were arrested for DUI in LA County during a week long campaign ending on Christmas Day, compared to 969 during the same period last year.
More anti-DUI efforts are likely over the New Year period which tends to be the busiest period for DUI law enforcement.
Many people arrested for DUI are surprised that they are over the limit when tested. It is common for people to misjudge their level of impairment and drive because they do not feel impaired. Many clients ask me what is a "safe" rate of alcohol consumption. The only way to be sure that you are not DUI is to refrain from drinking any alcohol and driving. It is simply not worth the risk. I once represented a client who was a lawyer. She had two glasses of wine and did not feel that this was in any way a problem for her in terms of her ability to drive safely. On her way home, she rear-ended a car driven by an elderly gentleman who suffered head injuries and nearly died. She had a blood alcohol level of .08%. She faced a felony prosecution, prison time and an end to her career as a lawyer. We were eventually able to negotiate a reduction to a misdemeanor DUI, thereby saving her career and avoiding state prison time, but this was a life changing experience for her and the victim. As a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles I want to achieve the best possible outcome for my client, but at the same time, I recognize the gravity of this offense and its potential impact on peoples lives.
With the above in mind, we at Gold and Witham wish our clients and readers of this blog a safe and arrest free New Year.
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More than 1,000 people were arrested for DUI in LA County during a week long campaign ending on Christmas Day, compared to 969 during the same period last year.
More anti-DUI efforts are likely over the New Year period which tends to be the busiest period for DUI law enforcement.
Many people arrested for DUI are surprised that they are over the limit when tested. It is common for people to misjudge their level of impairment and drive because they do not feel impaired. Many clients ask me what is a "safe" rate of alcohol consumption. The only way to be sure that you are not DUI is to refrain from drinking any alcohol and driving. It is simply not worth the risk. I once represented a client who was a lawyer. She had two glasses of wine and did not feel that this was in any way a problem for her in terms of her ability to drive safely. On her way home, she rear-ended a car driven by an elderly gentleman who suffered head injuries and nearly died. She had a blood alcohol level of .08%. She faced a felony prosecution, prison time and an end to her career as a lawyer. We were eventually able to negotiate a reduction to a misdemeanor DUI, thereby saving her career and avoiding state prison time, but this was a life changing experience for her and the victim. As a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles I want to achieve the best possible outcome for my client, but at the same time, I recognize the gravity of this offense and its potential impact on peoples lives.
With the above in mind, we at Gold and Witham wish our clients and readers of this blog a safe and arrest free New Year.