Recent Blog Posts in March 2010

If you're planning on heading to Costa Mesa this weekend, be sure to stay sober or designate a driver.

The Costa Mesa police are planning to conduct a DUI checkpoint on Newport Boulevard at Flower Street from about 8 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday. Police are hoping to catch drunk drivers and people driving without a license.

Arrested for DUI in Costa Mesa?

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Costa Mesa or anywhere else in Orange County on suspicion of driving under the influence, an attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help. Having handled thousands of Orange County DUI cases throughout our careers, we feel we have the experience, resources, and legal knowledge to effectively defend our clients against even the most serious DUI charges. Whether you were stopped at a sobriety checkpoint or pulled over while driving, you can trust an Orange County DUI defense attorney at our office to provide you with the committed, experienced, and aggressive representation you need to increase your chances of avoiding such penalties as probation, driver's license suspension, community service, fines, and alcohol education classes.

Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today at (877) DUI-QUEEN if you're interested in learning more about the DUI defense services we offer at our firm.

A driver who confessed to vehicle manslaughter in connection with an auto accident that left his passenger dead has been sentenced to 16 months in state prison.

On January 9, Vicente Garcia Ramirez was speeding when he lost control of his Nissan Altima and crashed into a tree in Garden Grove. His passenger, 22-year-old Joyce Lopez, was taken to the hospital, but she later died from her injuries.

According to prosecutors, Ramirez was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. He was also driving without a license. The combination of intoxication and speed are believed to be what caused Ramirez to lose control.

Ramirez pleaded guilty to both vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence and driving without a valid license.

If you have been arrested for causing an accident while driving under the influence, it’s in your best interest to speak with an Orange County DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry right away. Causing a DUI accident gives prosecutors a reason to seek enhanced penalties and charges. If another person was injured or killed in the accident, you will certainly face much more serious charges than DUI. You could be charged with aggravated assault, vehicular manslaughter, or some other felony crime.

At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, we have experience handling all types DUI cases, including those involving accidents. Should you choose to work with an attorney at our firm, you can trust aggressive measures will be taken to defend you against the charges in an effort to secure the best possible resolution to your case.

To set up an appointment to discuss your case, please call (877) DUI-QUEEN today!

A woman who worked as a teacher at an Orange County juvenile correctional center was arrested following reports that she kissed and fondled a 16-year-old boy.

The teacher, 43-year-old Dawn Marie Baloun of Lake Forest, is facing one misdemeanor count of child annoyance, a crime punishable by up to a year in jail.

According to prosecutors, Baloun’s inappropriate relationship with the boy occurred between March and April 2009 at the Joplin Youth Center in Trabuco Canyon. They allegedly would meet in empty classrooms, closets, and offices and kiss and fondle each other.

When the boy was transferred to another facility, they continued to correspond through letters, mostly about their sexual relationship. Police were alerted when a counselor at the facility found the letters.

Since their affair was discovered, Baloun has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. She is scheduled to be arraigned April 12.

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a man on suspicion of DUI yesterday after a 30-minute chase in Laguna Nigel.

Deputies signaled for Bradley Hier to pull over but he refused. Instead, Hier continued to drive through the streets of Laguna Nigel and Dana Point, and even obeyed traffic signs and stayed close to the speed limit.

Eventually an officer bumped the back of his car, which caused him to spin out and come to a stop. Inside the vehicle police found multiple bottles of Popov vodka.

Hier was arrested and taken into custody, where he was charged with driving under the influence and evading a police officer. The results of a breath or blood test have not yet been reported.

A man has been arrested in connection with a hit & run accident that took place in Anaheim last week.

The accident occurred on the 700 block of Anaheim Boulevard at about 3:30 p.m.  According to police, a two-year-old boy wandered into the street from the sidewalk. That’s when he was hit by a Ford F-450 pickup truck carrying a trailer. Fortunately, it is believed the boy only suffered a cut on the head, but at this time the full extent of his injuries are not known.

According to police, a witness saw the driver hit the small child and fail to stop. The witness followed the driver in his vehicle and called to report the hit & run accident to the police.

Anaheim police say the driver knew he had hit someone, but kept driving anyway. They were able to arrest the driver and bring him into custody on suspicion of hit and run.

It is not clear whether or not the driver was actually formally charged with hit & run. An investigation was not able to turn up any physical evidence that connects the truck to hitting the toddler.

A Ladera Ranch man could spend the next 10 years in prison if he found guilty of the vehicular manslaughter charges he faces.

Richard Ernest Caselli, 37, was charged with vehicular manslaughter following an October 2009 accident that left a woman dead. Prosecutors say Caselli was driving more than 100 mph on the 73 toll road just north of Laguna Canyon Road when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into an SUV being driven by Brook Boynton. Boynton, who was ejected from her vehicle, died in the accident.

In addition to speeding excessively, authorities also said Caselli showed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the scent of alcohol on the breath.

Caselli is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow. If he is ultimately convicted of vehicle manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated he will face a maximum of 10 years in prison. For now, he is out on $150,000 bal.

Four people suspected of attacking and robbing a man in downtown Huntington Beach are now in police custody.

According to police, three men and one woman approached the 25-year-old victim around 6:45 p.m. They then jumped out of their vehicle and assaulted the man, inflicting multiple puncture wounds and lacerations.

Huntington Beach Police Lt. John Domingo said authorities were able to stop the suspects after a brief pursuit.

Those arrested include Brandon Espinoza for suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, Aaron Salinas for robbery and evading police, and Viana Arelalo for robbery. A fourth suspect was also arrested, but because he is a minor the police have not released his name.

An Orange County driver was arrested after he slammed his vehicle into a parked police cruiser, consequently injuring the officer inside.

Police suspect the driver was under the influence when, at 35 mph, he slammed his Toyota Camry into the back of the police car. The cruiser was parked and the officer was inside writing a ticket when the accident happened.

He was taken to the hospital complaining of back and neck pain, and was later released.

If you hit a police vehicle while driving under the influence, or if you hit any vehicle for that matter while driving under the influence, you need to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry right away. Driving drunk is a serious offense in and of itself, but when you cause an accident that risks the lives and safety of innocent people, you will certainly face enhanced penalties. The best way to proceed forward following an arrest for causing a drunk driving related accident is by obtaining the services of knowledgeable, well-trained, and experienced attorney. If you are searching for an Orange County DUI attorney to defend you against your charges, you can trust the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to devote the necessary time and attention to your case and work hard in a preparing a strong and compelling defense on your behalf.

Please call (877) DUI-QUEEN to learn more about working with a DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.

A man suspected of driving under the influence tried to avoid an arrest by fleeing on foot, but was unsuccessful.

The incident began in Laguna Hills when police tried to pull over a gray Ford Escort near the intersection of El Toro Road and Paseo de Valencia. The driver refused to stop, instead hoping on the 5 freeway. He exited the freeway at Alicia Parkway and tried to lose the officers by taking city streets. When he realized he hit a dead end, he got out of the vehicle and tried to run on foot, but was tackled by one of the sheriff’s deputies.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested the driver, later identified as 22-year-old Rolando Cortes-Montesinos. Lt. Ted Boyne of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Cortes-Montesinos tried to run but was a little too drunk.

For future reference, if you are signaled to pull over, it’s important to obey the officer’s command instead of attempting to flee. Even if you are too drunk to be driving, it’s better to face the DUI charges than to face additional penalties for attempting to evade police. The truth is, no one who tries to run from the police ever gets away with it, so you’re better off just pulling over and dealing with the consequences. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, you can contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry for help.

To learn more about how an experienced Orange County DUI defense lawyer at our office can help, please call (877) DUI- QUEEN today!

An off-duty Orange County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with driving under the influence after causing two separate accidents within a 30-minute period.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to an accident site in Dana Point where Deputy Allen James Waters, 36, crashed his car into another vehicle. An article from the L.A. Times says the deputies who arrived at the scene took a report and then permitted Waters to continue driving.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Waters crashed his car again, this time in Laguna Nigel. The impact of the collision forced the other vehicle to cross the center median and slam into a tree. The 78-year-passenger in the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

CHP officers said Waters showed signs of intoxication and brought him into police custody, where he was booked on DUI charges. He has since been released from custody.

The sheriff’s department is now conducting an investigation to determine why the deputies allowed Waters to continue driving after the first accident.

If you are searching for an experienced and aggressive Orange County DUI attorney to help you fight your charges, you’ve found the right place. To arrange a consultation to discuss your charges, please contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN today!

A 21-year-old Orange County woman convicted of second-degree murder is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Brittany Deanne Schuetz was convicted by jury of one felony count of second-degree murder and could face a maximum of 15 years to life in prison for the offense. Her charges stem from a fatal accident she caused while driving under the influence of alcohol. At the time of the accident, her blood alcohol concentration was .24, nearly five times the legal limit for a person under the age of 21. The California Vehicle Code states it is illegal for any driver under the age of 21 to drive with a BAC higher than .01.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Imperial Highway in La Habra. The victim, April Whang, was driving her Acura Integra through a green light at the intersection when Schuetz ran the red light and plowed into the side of her car. During the trial, Schuetz confessed that she had consumed vodka and several other drinks prior to the accident. According to the prosecutor, Schuetz refused rides home from her friends, instead choosing to drive home herself.

This is not Schuetz’s first DUI arrest. She was convicted of drunk driving in 2007.

Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 30.

If you or a loved one has been charged with murder or vehicular manslaughter for causing a fatal DUI accident, it’s imperative that you speak with an experienced  Orange County DUI defense attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry right away. As you can imagine you are in a very precarious situation, and should you be convicted of the charges you could find yourself spending years in jail or prison. In Schuetz’s cases, not only did she kill someone, but she was also underage at the time of the accident and she had a prior DUI conviction on her record, two factors that would enhance any DUI charge.

Whether you have been charged with a simple DUI or you are facing much more serious crime, such as vehicular manslaughter, you can trust the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to work diligently in fighting your charges and building the strongest possible defense.

Call (877) DUI-QUEEN to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney at the office today!

The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department is investigating problems they’ve been experiencing with the Intoxilyzer DUI breath test machines they have been using. According to preliminary reports, 80% of DC’s Intoxilyzer units were affected.

It’s not completely unusual for a breathalyzer machine not to work. Although those machines are used by police departments throughout the country, they can easily produce a false reading when defective or when they aren’t used properly. In fact, there are many ways to contest the accuracy of a breathalyzer test result in an effort to fight someone’s drunk driving charges. Radio frequency interference, operator errors, failure to properly calibrate the machine, and a lack of officer training on how to use the machine are all examples of factors that could cause a breathalyzer machine to give an inaccurate reading.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI in Orange County, you can count on an experienced Orange County DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to provide you with the aggressive defense your case deserves. You can trust the firm to evaluate your breath test results and investigate whether a mistake or error was made. In the event that the results were inaccurate, the firm we will challenge your result in an effort to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Without those test results, it will be difficult for the prosecution to continue on and win their case.

To learn more about the DUI defense services offered the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, contact the office today at (877) DUI-QUEEN!

A former Orange County gymnastic coach will be sentenced later this month after he was found guilty of having an unlawful sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

Prosecutors say Jason Wayne Scofield, 37, met the girl while working as a coach at Wildfire Gymnastics in Tustin. The girl’s parents contacted the police after receiving a concerned email from one of the girl’s friends. By the time investigators were informed of the relationship, Scofield had joined the Army and was living in Arizona. Investigators got a warrant and went to Arizona to arrest Scofield and bring him back to Orange County.

Scofield pleaded guilty to the felony charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 30, and it is expected that he will serve one year in jail and three years probation. The prosecution also wants the judge to order Scofield to register as a sex offender.

Scofield’s relationship with the girl lasted from February to June 2009. They reportedly would meet in his car and at his home.

Having unlawful sex with a person under the age of 18 is considered statutory rape in California, an offense that carries a number of different penalties, including time in jail or prison, large fines, probation, and possibly sex offender registration. Perhaps the even more unsettling than these penalties is the stigma associated with having a sex crimes conviction on your record. If you or a loved one has been accused of statutory rape or another sex crime, it’s crucial to speak with an experienced attorney right away. The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry has experience defending people against serious felony crimes, such as statutory rape, and can ensure your case is given the attention and dedication you deserve!

To schedule a consultation with an  Orange County criminal defense lawyer at the firm, please  contact the office today at (866) 902-6880.

An Escondido man has been arrested for suspicion of DUI after he lost controlled of his Lexus. His passenger perished in the accident.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Georg M. Reyes was driving eastbound on Avenue S in the Antelope Valley, an area in Northern Los Angeles County, when his car drifted off onto the shoulder of the road. While veering his car back onto the road, Reyes lost control, crossed the median, and overturned. After sliding across several lanes on the opposite side of the road, Reyes’ overturned vehicle finally came to a stop.

His passenger, 20-year-old Michelle Garcia, also from Escondido, was not wearing a seatbelt, which is probably why she was thrown from the vehicle. Garcia died at the scene.

Reyes was transported to the hospital with major and moderate injuries, and later was arrested for DUI. It has not yet been reported whether or not he’ll face felony DUI charges and/or vehicular manslaughter charges. Reyes’ BAC level has also not yet been confirmed.

Causing a fatal DUI accident is one of the most serious situations you can find yourself in. Vehicular manslaughter is a felony offense punishable by thousands of dollars in fines, restitution, and anywhere from 1 year in jail to 10 years in prison. If you have been arrested for causing a serious or fatal drunk driving accident, contact a San Diego DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry. An attorney at our office can ensure you are provided with aggressive defense and committed representation to increase your chances of successfully combating your charges.

Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today at (619) 255-7494!