California Criminal Lawyer Blog

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.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence resulting in an injury accident in California, you probably have a number of questions. Will I face additional California DUI penalties? Who will have to pay for the injured party's medical bills? Will I face civil penalties in addition to the criminal charges? Every case is different and it may be in your best interest to seek legal guidance regarding the specifics of your case.

In general, there are potential additional criminal charges when a drunk driving incident results in injuries. Injured victims of drunk drivers have the legal right to pursue compensation for their losses through civil litigation. This means that individuals arrested for driving drunk in California, in addition to criminal charges, may also be held financially responsible for the medical bills and other losses suffered by the alleged victim.

The good news is that most insurance policies cover the damages caused in a crash. There are some policies, however, that exclude covering damages suffered when the policyholder is under the influence of alcohol. Therefore, it is imperative that all California motorists have an understanding of the specifics of their policy. Even if you do not have to pay for the medical bills related to the accident, you will more than likely see a substantial increase in your insurance premiums. Many convicted DUI offenders must purchase high-risk drivers auto insurance, which can be very expensive.

If you have been charged with drunk driving in Los Angeles, it is imperative that you have an experienced DUI defense lawyer on your side, fighting for your rights and constantly looking out for your best interests. The Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff have a proven track record of successfully handling DUI cases in southern California. Call our offices today at 866-430-8383 to discuss the specifics of your case at absolutely no cost.

A 56-year-old man has been charged with driving under the influence after being involved in an Orange County car crash. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the suspected drunk driving accident in Irvine occurred at John Wayne Airport. Police say that the man drove over a curb, through a fence and crashed into a private plane. No one was hurt in the accident but the plane began to leak fuel following the collision. The driver was arrested for DUI.

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in California. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a): "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."

Drivers convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in southern California face a myriad of potential penalties. Consequences for a first time DUI conviction include a four-month license suspension, jail time of up to six months, heavy fines and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device. The costs of DUI including attorneys' fees, court costs and fines can add up very quickly as well.

If you or a loved one has been charged with drunk driving in Orange County, the experienced Orange County DUI attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff can help. We have former prosecutors and investigators on our staff who know how to handle these cases to your advantage. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.