Recent Blog Posts in July 2010

This week in Santa Ana, it is reported that the judge presiding over the case of a man that is accused of killing Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart has delayed the trial.  The man, 23 year old Andrew Gallo, has been charged with second-degree murder for killing Adenhart and two other individuals during a DUI accident.

Originally, the trial was expected to start on Monday in Orange County.  Now, it has been pushed back to September.  The change was made after Gallo's attorney said that she needed more time to repare an expert witness for the defense.

In April 2009, Gallo struck a car at the Fullerton intersection.  Inside of the car were Adenhart and some of his friends who were out after a recent MLB game.  Police say that at the time of the accident, Gallo's blood alcohol concentration was three times the legal limit in the state of California.  Gallo pled "not guilty" to three counts of second-degree murder.

Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to discuss your charges with an Orange County DUI lawyer and get the representation you need to fight your case.

In San Diego, Chula Vista police conducted a crackdown on illegal street racing.  As a result of the crackdown, 16 vehicles were impounded and 10 people were placed under arrest.

According to a spokesperson from the Chula Vista Police Department, the operation took place this past weekend and resulted in arrests for street racing, driving under the influence and also possession of narcotics. 

Police report that five dozen traffic citations were issued during the operation, which involved police from Chula Vista, Escondido, La Mesa, National City, San Diego and San Diego State University.

The department started the crackdown two years ago and said that since that time, deaths and injuries related to street racing in the area have declined substantially.

If you have been arrested for DUI in San Diego, it is important that you obtain representation from a San Diego DUI lawyer.  Do not wait to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.

In the state of New York, a 12 year old passenger called 911 to report that her mother was driving under the influence.  Reports indicate that the vehicle the mother was operating was swerving down New York state highway and that the mother had a blood alcohol level that was twice the state's legal limit.

Following the girl's report, 49 year old Jamie Hicks was arrested on suspicion of DUI.  Hicks had been driving on Interstate 84, which is approximately 50 mile north of New York City.

Police say that Hicks' blood alcohol level was .18% and that she also had her 10 year old son in the vehicle while DUI.

Police Capt. Robert Nuzzo said, "This young girl made a very brave decision."  He also reported that Hicks, "was acting odd, speaking incoherently and swerving in and out of traffic."  The daughter told police a similar tale.

Arrested for suspicion of DUI in Orange County?  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and discuss your arrest with an Orange County DUI attorney.

In Los Angles, it is reported that a man from Orange County is expected to endter pleas in federal court.  The man, 31 year old Luis Mijangos of Santa Ana, is accused of hacking into hundreds of computers to extort sexually explicit videos from both women and teenage girls.

At this time, Mijangos is facing a 16 count indictment and his charges include:  conspiracy, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, wiretapping and extortion.

Police say that Mijangos managed to trick 230 people into downloading a virus.  Once they had downloaded the virus, he was able to take control of their computers and laptops.  Mijangos would look through files to find compromising images of women and then send threatening emails to the victims to coerce them into sending him videos of them engaged in sex acts.  If they didn't consent, he would threaten to email their images to contacts on their mailing lists.

If you have been charged with white collar crimes, now is the time to hire an Orange County criminal defense lawyer by contacting the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.

This past Tuesday night, it is reported that a Santa Maria police officer sustained a minor head injury after being hit by a drunk driver.  Reports indicate that at the time of the accident, the officer had been transporting an arrestee to a local police station for booking.

The police report for the incident claims that the officer was traveling eastbound on Morrison Avenue just after 10:00 PM.  While driving, he was hit by a car that had run a stop light on Pine Street and sideswiped another patrol vehicle. 

Following the accident, the officer was treated at the Marian Medical Center and released.  His vehicle suffered minor damage and the California Highway Patrol says that it is still investigating the collision.

The driver of the other vehicle, 53 year old Robert Thomas Kelly Jr., was arrested for felony DUI.

The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry offers legal counsel to those who have been charged with DUI.  Contact us if you are facing DUI charges and would like to speak with an Orange County DUI attorney.

This week, a 35 year old woman has been charged with murder after driving under the influence and hitting another car head-on.  During the DUI accident, Tiffany Ann Holmes of Stockton managed to kill one person and left another individual with fatal injuries.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Angel Arceo, Holmes was places under arrest on Monday afternoon and was charged with two counts of murder.  Her arrest occurred 10 days after her accident on northbound Highway 99 south of Yosemite Avenue.  During the collision, she struck a couple and their 3 year old daughter.

The crash led to the death of the girl's father, 21 year old David Gomez and seriously injured the mother, 21 year old Adriana Martinez.  The young girl was also injured, but has been moved from the intensive care unit to the pediatric unit at University of California, Davis, Medical Center.

Holmes was booked into San Joaquin County Jail on the murder counts as well as charges of felony driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.  She is being held in jail without bail at this time.

Charged with DUI?  If so, contact our law office to speak with an Orange County DUI lawyer.

This week, the California Office of Traffic Safety announced that numerous law enforcement agencies in Orange County will receive $2.8 million for DUI enforcement.  The funds will also be used for other traffic safety programs in the county.

Grants provided keep key activities operational, such as strategies targeting multiple DUI offenders and DUI patrols.  These funds also expand teen education programs like Real DUI Trials for Schools and Every 15 Minutes in Orange County.

Some of the Orange County grants include:  $291,500 to Santa Ana for DUI enforcement and awareness program, $275,000 for the Orange County Medical Emergency Data System and $307,116 to Anaheim for the "Avoid the 26" DUI Campaign.

Throughout the state of California, a total of $67 million was awarded to agencies.  The funds come from federal sources and will be administered by the Office of Traffic Safety.

The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry provides representation to those who have been charged with DUI in Orange County.  If you have been charged with drunk driving, contact us to set up a consultation with an Orange County DUI attorney!

In San Diego, a man from Encanto pled guilty last week Wednesday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.  The man, 52 year old Bruce Michael Hanson, allegedly drove while under the influence and killed a woman who was exiting her car to go to work in Chollas View.

Now that he has pled guilty, Hanson will face a sentence of up to 15 years in state prison.  He is expected to be sentenced by Judge Eugenia Eyherabide on September 10th.

According to police, Hanson admitted that he ran over the victim, 35 year old Alejandra Vazquez.  The incident occurred on February 19^th at 2:15 AM near Interstate 805 ramp at Market Street.  Police say that Vazquez's mother witnessed the hit and run and that Hanson had been driving at a rate of 40 - 45 MPH when he hit the victim.

Prosecutors say Hanson then fled the scene and tried to get rid of his car.  He even disposed of his license plates and got a haircut before he was placed under arrest the day after the accident.  A witness reported an abandoned vehicle after seeing a news story about the hit and run.  The vehicle's identification number led officers to Hanson.

Charged with DUI in San Diego?  If so, discuss your case with a San Diego DUI lawyer by contacting the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today!

This month, it was announced that a very strong Scottish beer would be making its way to the U.S. market.  At least 400 bottled of Tactical Nuclear Penguin are expected to be sold in New York and California in Whole Foods stores.  Unlike other beers, this imported brew has an alcohol percentage of 32%.

In November, the beer was launched by BrewDog in Scotland.  Following its release, many criticized the beverage because it contributed to Scotland's "epidemic of alcoholism".

For awhile, Tactical Nuclear Penguin was in fact the world's strongest beer, but Germany then released Schrosch Bock which has a 40% concentration.  Feeling the need to compete, BrewDog released Sink the Bismarck!, which has a 41% concentration and can only be purchased directly through the company.

According to BrewDog, their beer gets its name from the brewing process.  The beer is put into containers and transported to the cold store of a local ice cream factory where it is housed for 21 days in chilly temperatures.  As the beer got colder and colder, BrewDog Chief Engineer Steven Sutherland decanted it until only ice was left in the containers.  BrewDog says this process not only creates more intense flavors, but also a higher alcohol concentration.

Remember, if you plan to buy a few bottles of Tactical Nuclear Penguin, do not drink and drive.  Driving under the influence is a serious offense in the state of California that can result in tough penalties.  If you have been charged with DUI, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and speak with an Orange County DUI attorney now!

Last week Wednesday, a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Department was sentenced with three years of probation. 30 year old Mark Wayne Hewlett was sentenced after he pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol charges. 

In exchange for probation, Hewlett agreed to plead guilty to three misdemeanor counts in a deal offered by an Orange County Superior Court Commissioner.  Aside from having to serve probation time, Hewlett will have to attend a three month alcohol program, pay over $1,000 in fines and attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) victim panel.

If he completes the programs, a tentative third charge of possession of a controlled substance may be dismissed by prosecutors.

On December 13, 2009, Hewlett was driving home from a friend's house while under the influence of alcohol.  At 1:45 AM, he lost control of his car in Villa Park and winded up crashing into the front yard of Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell.  Following the crash, he was arrested for DUI.

If you have been charged with DUI in Orange County, discuss your case with an Orange County DUI lawyer by contacting the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry!

In Santa Ana, an Orange County bail bondsman has been charged with two felonies by district prosecutors.  Allegedly, 50 year old Ronald Lee Brockway conducted a referral scheme where he promised attorneys and jail inmates financial incentives if they directed business his way.

Brockway is the owner of Respect Bail Bond and was placed under arrest last week Thursday.  He was then charged with two felony counts of violating bail license regulations.  If Brockway is convicted, he could be sentenced with three years and eight months of jail time.

According to prosecutors, Brockway sent emails to lawyers stating that he would increase their earnings if they simply referred bail bond customers.  He is also accused of offering to refer clients to attorneys and mailing "get out of jail free" flyers to jail inmates that promoted his business.

When people have been charged with felonies in Orange County, it is important that they contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and arrange to speak with an Orange County criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. 

This week, ESPN announced that Vincent Jackson has been suspended from the San Diego Chargers.  Jackson is a wide receiver for the NFL team and will have to sit out for three games because he violated the league's personal conduct policy by driving under the influence.

In February, Jackson pled guilty to DUI charges.  This is the second time he has been convicted of driving under the influence.

It is reported that Jackson has the option of appealing his suspension to get it reduced, but he has not said whether he will do this or not.   He is entering his sixth year with the San Diego chargers and is a restricted free agent. 

If you have been charged with San Diego DUI, now is the time to get a San Diego DUI attorney involved.  By hiring a lawyer, you stand a greater chance of fighting your charges and avoiding harsh legal penalties.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to learn how a DUI attorney can help you.