California Criminal Lawyer Blog

You have probably seen billboards and advertisements that state that "buzzed driving" is drunk driving. If you are wondering what constitutes drunk driving and how many drinks will result in a DUI, you are probably not alone. While it is important to remember that there are many factors that determine blood alcohol levels, the following information can be a useful guideline for understanding how much alcohol can result in a DUI.

First, it is important to understand that the amount of blood in a driver's system is called Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent is illegal in California and most other states. California motorists determined to have a .08 BAC or higher could face serious penalties including driver's license suspension, heavy fines and potential jail time.

Having less than one whole drink will more than likely result in your BAC rising to .01 or below. Completing one full drink could result in an alcohol level of approximately .02 percent. Having two drinks could result in a BAC of .04 or .05 percent BAC. This number can increase if the drinks were taken quickly and on an empty stomach. Drivers who reach the 0.08 percent BAC have probably had three to five drinks. Individuals who have consumed five to eight drinks will likely have a BAC of .1, which is well above the legal limit. A BAC of .16 means the individual likely had 10 or more drinks.

Factors that may affect the BAC results include the rate of drinking, the body size of the drinker, the body weight, gender and food intake. In some cases, BAC tests can prove inaccurate because of faulty equipment, tampering or errors made by officials.

The skilled Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have had a long and successful track record of fighting DUI charges that are based on inaccurate test results. If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Southern California, please call our offices at 866-430-8383 for a free consultation.

Los Angeles County law enforcement will be out in full force this holiday season. According to a recent news report in The Culver City Patch, local law enforcement officials and anti-DUI task forces will conduct 32 DUI checkpoints and 202 DUI patrols between now and January 1, 2012 in Los Angeles County. Officials say they will deploy the roving patrols and conduct the checkpoints at locations that are known to have a higher number of drunk drivers. During a similar campaign in the year 2010, there were 2,406 DUI arrests made countywide.

The article states that in December of 2009 there were 753 nationwide DUI fatalities, 57 of which occurred in California. The Los Angeles County crackdown on drunk driving is a direct response to these staggering numbers. Unfortunately, whenever there is a massive crackdown on drunk driving, there is an increased risk of innocent drivers being wrongfully accused of driving under the influence.

There are many potential mistakes in a DUI saturation patrol arrest or DUI checkpoint. It is common for officers to see signs of intoxication where it does not exist and for sobriety tests to be conducted by officers who are not properly trained or qualified to accurately determine the results.

The Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long history of successfully handling drunk driving charges. If you or a loved one is charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol this holiday season, please call our offices at 866-430-8383 to schedule your no-cost consultation and case evaluation.

A 35-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly failing to file an alias and address change as required by California's sex offender registration laws. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the man was arrested after a Times investigation showed that he was involved in the process of placing actors, including children, in movies while being registered as a sex offender. He was convicted as a teenager in 1996 for an incident involving an 8-year-old he met at summer camp. Officials say that he did not file a change of address or a change of name. If convicted of those two charges, he could face up to three years in state prison. A representative for the defendant has stated that he has provided his legal name and passport to employers and that the change of address claim was related to a trip he was planning to visit his parents.

Having to register as a sex offender is one of the many serious consequences of a sex crime conviction. Having the stigma of being a convicted sexual offender can affect an individual's life both professionally and socially. It can also have future legal implications. Previously convicted offenders can face felony charges if they fail to register each year, if they fail to register with their new county when they move, and if they fail to register a name change or alias.

Unfortunately, it is common for the authorities and juries to come down hard on individuals previously convicted of a sex crime with a minor. In such cases, newly rehabilitated individuals may suffer unfair treatment and harsh penalties because of their past conviction.

The skilled Los Angeles sex crime defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long history of handling sex crime cases and charges involving sex crime registration issues. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a sex crime in Los Angeles, please contact us at (866) 430-8383 for a no-cost consultation.

David Hunt, Newport Beach's former city attorney, is facing misdemeanor drunk driving charges in connection with a collision, which occurred back in September. According to The Newport Beach Patch, the 54-year-old Hunt was arrested on Sept. 30 after he crashed his vehicle into a parked car on Ford Road in Newport Beach. No one was reportedly injured in that crash. Hunt was re-hired by the city on a contract basis, but that contract was terminated following his DUI arrest.

California law prohibits motorists from driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states: "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle."

Even first-time offenders face serious DUI consequences in Orange County, including possible jail time, probation, mandatory alcohol education programs, and installation of an ignition interlock device. In addition to the legal consequences, an individual who is arrested on suspicion of drunk driving or charged with a DUI can also suffer professionally. People in public office can be terminated or placed on administrative leave. Individuals may lose their driving privileges, which in Southern California, can prevent them from being employed.

If you have been accused of drunk driving, the experienced Newport Beach DUI defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff are here to help. Please understand that just because you have been arrested or charged, you do not have to plead guilty. Please contact our law offices at (866) 430-8383 to discuss your DUI case at absolutely no cost.

According to a December 9, 2011 news report in USA Today, Los Angeles Dodger James Loney won't face professional consequences for his November accident that may have been alcohol-related. California Highway Patrol officials say that on November 14, 2011, Loney was involved in a car accident on the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles. His Maserati collided with a 2008 Mini Cooper, a Toyota Prius, and a Mercedes-Benz. The other drivers have stated that he was unconscious momentarily after the collision and attempted to flee the scene when he woke up. It is not clear if he was under the influence of alcohol, but a blood sample for alcohol and drugs was taken.

California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states: "It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle." Penalties for drunk driving in California typically involve lengthy license suspensions, heavy fines, required alcohol counseling, and potential jail time.

A defendant could face additional penalties when a drunk driving arrest results in an injury or fatal car accident. Anyone facing a potential DUI charge would be well advised to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who will analyze all aspects of the case and the incident and ensure that the defendant's legal rights are protected.

The experienced Los Angeles drunk driving defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a proven track record of handling DUI cases in southern California. We know how to fight wrongful charges and how to lower charges in DUI cases. If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence, please call our offices at (866) 430-8383 for a free case assessment.

The Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura Police Department have received substantial grants to combat drunk driving. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, authorities in Oxnard received a $250,000 grant and Ventura officials received $150,000. Both cities have appeared on the list of the 50 cities with the most fatal DUI accidents in California. The grants will be used to specifically target drivers who are under the influence by increasing DUI patrols, checkpoints, and other enforcement efforts.

The California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System reported eight fatalities and 106 injuries as a result of DUI accidents in Ventura County. Clearly, drunk driving is a serious problem, but it is important that the rights of California's drivers are protected, even through these enforcement efforts. Drunk driving enforcement usually increases during the holiday season when police are at full force.

With an increase in the number of DUI checkpoints and patrols, there is the potential for an increase in the number of wrongful DUI arrests. There is also the potential for drivers' rights to be violated during the investigation and arrest. It is critical in such cases that defendants have experienced DUI defense lawyers on their side, who will fight for their rights and make sure that wrongful charges are dismissed.

The skilled Ventura DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long history of successfully handling drunk driving cases in Ventura County. Please call us at (866) 430-8383 to schedule your free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.

A 39-year-old Westminster pastor has been charged with molestation of a minor as well as possession of child pornography. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the alleged lewd act occurred in the parking lot of an Orange County grocery store. An 8-year-old girl and her mother told Huntington Beach police that the man rubbed the girl's legs, thighs, and arms before giving her $40 to stay quiet. During the investigation, officials say they found images of child pornography on the suspect's computer. The pastor faces several charges, including lewd acts on a child under 14, kidnapping for child molest, attempting to dissuade a witness, and possession of child pornography. His penalties could include 30 years to life in state prison.

California Penal Code 288 makes it a crime to commit an act of lewd or lascivious nature on a minor under the age of 14. Lewd act cases typically involve accusations of inappropriate touching or fondling. It is often challenging to uncover the truth in these types of cases. It is common for the only evidence to be the words of a young child and for juries to seek the most severe penalties possible because of the age of the alleged victim.

Depending on the circumstances of the incident, the resulting charges can be a misdemeanor or a felony. A conviction for a sex crime involving a minor can have serious consequences, including incarceration, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender. The stigma of being labeled as a sex offender can potentially have life-changing consequences for an individual.

The skilled Westminster sex crime defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a proven record of successfully handling sex crime cases in southern California. If you or a loved one has been charged with a sex crime, please call our offices at (866) 430-8383 for a free case evaluation.

A 38-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department deputy has been charged with driving under the influence after crashing his motorcycle on the freeway. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the DUI incident occurred on the 405 freeway near Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. The news report states that the off-duty deputy was riding his motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 percent – nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He suffered hip injuries and his wife was hospitalized with a knee injury, as well as abrasions to her arms and hand. He now faces up to three years in state prison for causing injury while driving under the influence.

California penalties for driving under the influence are increased when the driver causes injury or death. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23153: "It is unlawful for any person, while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle and concurrently do any act forbidden by law, or neglect any duty imposed by law in driving the vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes bodily injury to any person other than the driver."

In addition to facing lengthy license suspensions, fines, and possible jail time, individuals charged with driving under the influence also run the risk of losing their job and jeopardizing their career. The skilled Orange County DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff help protect the rights of those accused of driving under the influence. If you or a loved one is facing DUI charges in Orange County, please call our offices at (866) 430-8383 to schedule your free consultation.

Each year during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and right through the holiday season, there is an increase in the number of DUI patrols and checkpoints throughout Los Angeles County. According to a report in The Annenberg TV News, there was a 10 percent increase in drunk driving arrests this past Thanksgiving weekend. California Highway Patrol officials say that 200 Los Angeles County drivers were arrested for drunk driving over the holiday weekend, which accounts for 22 percent of DUI arrests statewide.

Statewide between 6 p.m. Wednesday November 23, 2011 and 11:59 p.m. Saturday November 26, 2011, there were 1,350 DUI arrests. During the same time period in 2010, there were 1,419 drunk driving arrests in California. Thanksgiving weekend traffic fatalities increased this year from 12 deaths in 2010 to 21 fatalities in 2011.

Penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in California are severe. First-time offenders could face a six-month license suspension, mandatory jail time, required attendance in a DUI school, probation, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, and multiple fines and court fees. CA DUI and car insurance is another challenge drivers face and a drunk driving conviction can also be a setback when it comes to finding a job or remaining employed.

Anyone facing drunk driving charges in Los Angeles would be well advised to contact an experienced DUI defense lawyer who will fight for their rights. The knowledgeable Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a long history of successfully handling DUI cases throughout southern California. To discuss your options at no cost, call us at (866) 430-8383 today.