On Monday, police in Los Angeles reported that a 16 month old boy drowned after his father's off-road vehicle plunged into a flow of water.

Following the boy's death, 23-year-old Hunter Kilmer was arrested for suspicion of manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

Police say that Kilmer was at the wheel of the 1987 Suzuki Samurai with his son, Ford Kilmer, and a 19 year old friend.  California Highway Patrol officer, Joaquin Zubieta, said the baby had been strapped to a car seat in the back when his father drove into a water flowing reservoir. 

The vehicle allegedly overturned and Hunter and the 19 year old were able to escape, but could not get the baby out.  The child was declared dead at the scene of the accident.

At this time, the boy's father remains in jail.

If you have been charged with DUI or vehicular manslaughter, now is the time to contact our law office and get professional help from an Orange County DUI attorney.

Following the Labor Day holiday, authorities in Orange County revealed that they made more than 600 DUI arrests during a three week period.

From August 20^th until September 6^th, officers say they arrested 665 people on suspicion of driving under the influence through checkpoints and also saturation patrols.  The Labor Day campaign, which was carried out by the anti-DUI task force known as "Avoid the 38" is comprised of members from the Sheriff's Department, local police department and the California Highway Patrol.

Police say that during their maximum enforcement period from September 3^rd until September 6^th, they made 56 arrests.  Last year, officers arrested 73 people for DUI over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Statewide, 1,521 DUI arrested were made during the maximum enforcement period.  Last year, the number was 1,417.  Additionally, police report there was a significant jump in traffic related deaths as 21 people were killed throughout the state over Labor Day weekend compared to 12 in 2009.

Were you arrested for Labor Day DUI in Orange County?  If so, contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and get help from an Orange County DUI attorney.

During the Labor Day holiday weekend and beyond, law enforcement agencies in San Diego will be working with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to cut down on drunk driving.

It is reported that 14 police agencies in the county will be conducting sobriety checkpoint and have extra patrol units on the roads for the next several weeks.  The announcement was made by Ross Burns, the executive director for MADD in San Diego.

The upcoming effort is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's nationwide program which features the slogan "Drunk Driving.  Over the Limit, Under arrest."

Burns told new sources, "The timing for the crackdown is significant because Labor Day, a holiday celebrated throughout the nation with parties and parades, has unfortunately become notorious as a day when thousands of drivers make the deadly decision to drive drunk."

The campaign is meant to eliminate drunk driving incident and offers support for high visibility police action, mandatory ignition interlocks for those who are convicted of driving under the influence and development of vehicle technology to detect and stop someone who has been consuming alcohol from operating a motor vehicle.

Burns said that research shows highly visible and frequent sobriety checkpoint have reduced alcohol-related collisions and fatalities by an average of 40%.

If you were arrested for DUI in Southern California, now is the time to hire a San Diego DUI attorney! Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry now!

On Saturday morning, a driver who was traveling the wrong way on the 405 Freeway in North Hills was charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance during the morning hours.

22-year-old Luis Castro was allegedly driving North in the southbound lane in the panorama city area of San Bernardino Valley, which is north of Los Angeles.

While driving under the influence, Castro allegedly caused two separate DUI accidents.  The first occurred when a Honda CRV had to swerve into another traffic lane to avoid Castro and hit a Ford truck.  The second incident occurred when a Nissan SUV tried to avoid hitting Castro and crashed into a small Kia, causing vehicular damage.  Thankfully, no one was injured during the collision.

After being arrested, it was revealed that Castro was driving on a suspended license and was free on bail from a separate criminal case.  He was booked for DUI, violating the terms of his license suspension and possession of a controlled substance.

Charged with DUI in Orange County?  Contact us to speak with an Orange County DUI lawyer!

This week, actress Lindsay Lohan's highly publicized DUI case has concluded.  After her release from rehabilitation, the actress was granted full driving privileges.

Lindsey had to serve 14 days in jail and 22 days in rehabilitation following her 2007 DUI conviction. The sentence came about after she violated probation numerous times. However, she only served a fraction of her original 90 day jail sentence due to "overcrowding" in the prison.

Throughout the week, Lohan made headlines after she went to a DMV to get her license reinstated and then drove her Maserati around West Hollywood.

Due to the case, the city of Los Angeles and its judges, district attorneys and police officers have been criticized and accused of offering unequal treatment to Lohan compared to others who were charged with similar offenses.  Yet, the criticism does not seem to be a problem as Lindsay will remain out of jail as long as she makes effort to attend her mandatory therapy sessions.

Have you been charged with DUI in Orange County?  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today to discuss your legal options with an Orange County DUI attorney.

This week, it has been reported that people who are convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the state of California may face tougher legal penalties.  The stiffer penalties will be imposed under a bill passed Monday by the California Assembly.

AB1601 allows a court to revoke a driver's license for 10 years if a person is convicted of three or more separate driving under the influence offenses within a decade.  Currently, the court can revoke a driver's license for 2 to 5 years.

According to Democratic Assemblyman Jerry Hill of San Mateo, the bill will allow the state to take 10,000repeat DUI offenders off of the streets of California each year.

The Assembly passed the bill and now the legislation will go to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk for signing.

Were you charged with DUI? Are you hoping to avoid harsh DUI penalties?  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to work with a skilled Orange County DUI lawyer who can help you fight your charges.

In the state of California, it has been reported that a teenager who pled guilty to manslaughter in July for the death of two of his classmates will undergo a mandatory 90 day evaluation. 

On May 11, 2009 at around 2:30 AM, Jared Nobel Berggren crashed his pickup truck into a tree in Fullerton.  During the crash, two of his passengers were ejected and died at the scene of the accident.  Both 19 year old Jacquelyn Ardalan and 19-year-old Miles Christensen were killed.

Police say that the accident occurred after a night of drinking.  Berggren faced two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and a penalty for causing great bodily injury.  Even though he initially pled not guilty, he later changed his plea to guilty on the manslaughter charge and now faces a 14 year sentence.

Berggren also suffered serious injuries during the accident.  After the crash, he provided a blood sample and his BAC was .1%, well over the legal limit for adults and minors.  New sources say that Berggren will be evaluated by the California Department of Corrections before his sentencing in November and their  evaluation will weigh heavily on his penalties.

If you have been charged with DUI, contact our law office to discuss your case with an Orange County DUI attorney!

On Saturday, the Marion County Sheriff's office received a phone call about someone riding a lawnmower on a road in Anthony at 11:30 PM.

After receiving reports, a deputy stopped the man who was riding a red craftsman lawnmower that was heading east in the westbound lane without any lights.

The driver of the lawnmower, Richard Paschen, was holding a cup containing beer in a cup holder. When stopped, Deputy Gary Miller asked the Paschen how much he had drank and Paschen said, "a pretty good bit". 

After failing field sobriety tests, they lawnmower rider was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. At the Marion County Jail, he refused to take a breath test. When questioned by police, Paschen said that he has so manyDUI charges that he has lost count.

Upon pulling his record, police saw he had three prior DUI convictions and that his driver's license has been suspended seven times. One of the suspensions was permanent.

If you have been charged with DUI in Southern California, now is the time to contact our firm and speak with an Orange County DUI lawyer.

Today, it has been announced that singer George Michael is facing charges of marijuana possession and driving under the influence. Michael was arrested last month after he crashed his Range Rover into a store on the side of a road in London.

In 2007, Michael pled guilty to driving under the influence of drugs. As a result, he was banned from driving for two years and was released on bail.

Footage obtained of the crash showed the singer's car going over the curb and crashing into a store or by the name of Snappy Snaps.  Michael then climbed out of his vehicle and when police came he told them he had not been drinking.  He was not administered a breath test, but later he was tested for drugs.

In 2006, Michael was arrested twice and charged with possession of marijuana after police found him slumped over the wheel of his car on roads in England.  After his arrests, he told news sources that he was once addicted to prescription drugs and that he smokes marijuana regularly.

In 2008, George Michael was arrested in a public bathroom and charged with the possession of drugs, which included crack cocaine. He was released on a warning.

Charged with DUI of drugs? Contact the Law offices of Virginia L. Landry to discuss your case with an Orange County DUI lawyer.

In Hemet, police say that a man was arrested for driving under the influence after he crashed into another motor vehicle head-on and then fled the scene of the accident.

The suspect, 18-year-old James Ray Brennan, was reportedly driving south on Winchester Rd. at Simpson Road during the early morning hours when he slammed into a vehicle and drove away. His arrest was reported by a California Highway Patrol dispatcher.

The CHP reports that the woman who was driving the other car as not having sustained any injuries.

Shortly after the accident, the suspect called the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and told them that he was the victim of two carjackings.  It is reported that Brennan called the Sheriff's Department several times, but had no clear message and hung up without finishing the conversation.

A few hours later, police were able to track him down when he was walking on Winchester Road. Brennan was booked at the Southwest detention center on suspicion of drunk driving and hit-and-run.

Charged with DUI in Orange County? Contact our law office now and discuss your charges with an Orange County DUI attorney.

This week, Joe Giudice, husband of TV reality star Teresa Giudice of the New Jersey Housewives, is expected to appear in court to appeal his sentence.  In March 2010, Joe was fined $864, lost his driver's license for 12 months and was sentenced to 30 days of community service after being found guilty of driving under the influence. 

Joe was arrested for DUI on January 13^th after he flipped over his truck at 1:47 AM.  Following the accident, Joe was taken to a hospital where his blood alcohol level was recorded as .11%, well above the state's legal limit of 0.08%. 

Court records indicate that this is not the first brush with law enforcement Joe has had.  Over the past 20 years, he has had his driver's license suspended for a total of 9.4 years and only has 39 points remaining on his driver's license.

Charged with DUI?  Now is the time to speak with an Orange County DUI lawyer who can help you combat your charges.  Contact our law office to set up an initial consultation.

This weekend, former Texas state Representative Pat Haggerty was arrested in California for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI).

Officials with the San Diego Sheriff's Department said that Haggerty was arrested by deputies during a DUI checkpoint this past Saturday.  He was later released from custody after posting $2,500 bond.

Prior to his arrest, Haggerty and several other lobbyists and legislators were in San Diego for the American Legislative Exchange Council.  State Senator Troy Fraser told an online news source that he was in the car with Haggerty when the DUI stop occurred and he did not believe Haggerty was intoxicated.

More details are expected to be released at a later time.

If you have been charged with San Diego DUI, it is important that you hire a San Diego DUI lawyer who can help you fight your charges.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today to secure the representation you need.

This week, a 19 year old from San Diego that was partying in Tijuana was arrested and placed in jail.  Reports indicate that the girl, Jenny Garth, was driving under the influence when she ran over a police officer.

Police say that Garth had spent the night drinking and partying at La Plaza Del Zapato, which is a popular hangout in Tijuana.  After midnight, Garth drove in her 2003 Toyota Camry and struck a police officer who was directing traffic on a busy street.  The 21 year old officer had to be rushed to the hospital.

Authorities say that Garth failed her breath test and field sobriety tests.  At this time, detectives are not releasing too much information about the 19 year old and have asked Mexican Officials to keep the case quiet while they investigate.

Arrested for underage drinking and driving?  If so, contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and consult with an Orange County DUI lawyer today.

In an attempt to reduce instances of drunk driving, the Huntington Beach Police Department is considering posting the names of DUI suspects on its website.  In a report submitted to the City Council this month, officers said that driving under the influence is a "significant problem" in Huntington Beach.  By publicly posting offenders' names, it hopes to send a strong message that police are cracking down.

When asked about posting names on the Department's site, Lt. Russell Reinhart said, "Public awareness of the problem, and scope of the problem, is one way of addressing any public safety concern."

The Department started to consider publishing names of people who were arrested for DUI after a local newspaper, the Huntington Beach Independent, stopped publishing a weekly list of offenders in December due to a change in editorial policy.

Huntington Beach would not be the first county in Southern California to engage in this practice as the city of Orange County and city of Irvine already post names.

Police in Huntington Beach say that in the last three years, they have made an average of 1,700 DUI arrests annually. 

If you have been charged with DUI in Orange County, get the defense you need right away by consulting with an Orange County DUI attorney.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry now!

This week, actor Chris Klein voluntarily checked into a rehabilitation facility for more than 30 days.  A representative for the actor said that Klein asked for his stay to be extended.  Klein decided to seek treatment after being charged with driving under the influence for the second time.

His representative spoke with PEOPLE and said, "Chris, along with his support team, has decided to extend his treatment. He is doing fantastic and is optimistic about his future. He thanks everyone for their continued support."

At this time, it is unclear how long Klein will be in treatment.  However, it has been revealed that he checked into Cirque Lodge in Utah on June 21^st. 

Klein, who is 31 years of age, was arrested for his second DUI on June 16^th in Los Angeles County.  At the time of his DUI arrest, his blood alcohol level was three times the state's legal limit of 0.08%.

Charged with DUI?  Speak with an Orange County DUI attorney now by contacting our law office.

In upcoming years, it is possible that motor vehicles may be able to detect that a driver is under the influence of alcohol through his or her skin.  If vehicles were to detect that drivers are under the influence, the vehicles' engines will not start.

Last week, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) was in Elmira promoting a bill that would provide funding for the research of vehicle alcohol testing devices.  With the funding, the aforementioned scenario could become reality.

Schumer said, "There's a real chance for a tremendous breakthrough that doesn't prosecute drunk driving after the act, but prevents it."  The Senator also said that sensors in vehicles, placed on steering wheels and seats, could detect drivers' blood alcohol levels.  Alcohol-sensing bracelets are an example of this technology.

Senator Schumer is aggressively promoting the ROADS SAFE Act of 2010, or Senate Bill 3039, which would give the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration $60 million over the next five years to figure out whether or not such an alcohol-detecting device would produce accurate results and be affordable.

Like alcohol-monitoring bracelets, the new device would detect "through sweat that is always coming out of your pores, even when you can't feel it, the legal limit of alcohol," stated Schumer.  At this time, Schumer is uncertain whether the federal government would require devices to be installed in vehicles if devices were perfected. 

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said. "And we would leave it up to each state to decide what they want to do."  The Senator is hopeful that if the Act is approved and such devices are perfected, drunk driving could be eliminated altogether.

Have you been charged with driving under the influence in Orange County?  If so, contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and discuss your case with an Orange County DUI lawyer.

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.

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!

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.

Police in Las Vegas are reporting that a teen that was charged in the death of a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer is facing multiple charges, including driving under the influence.

According to officers, 18 year old Rafael Garcia had been heading northbound on I-5 near Barstow during early morning hours on Sunday.  While driving, he veered off of the road and crashed into a CHP officer that was conducting a traffic stop.  The officer, Justin McGrory, was airlifted to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.

At the time of the crash, Garcia was driving home to Las Vegas.  He was arrested at the scene of the accident.  Garcia was held at a California detention center and charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI resulting in bodily injury, possessing and selling marijuana as well as child cruelty because he had a minor in his car at the time of the crash. 

If you have been charged with underage DUI in Southern California, now is the right time to obtain representation from an Orange County DUI lawyer.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today to discuss your case with an attorney.

In San Diego, a driver was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Monday.  The driver, 45 Becky Anderson, was prosecuted after she drove under the influence of prescription drugs and hit and killed a mother of two who was walking to work. 

Last month, Anderson pled guilty to one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI causing great bodily injury.  Charges were brought against Anderson after she hit and killed 36 year old Kristen Bedard in November 2009.

After the accident, Anderson admitted to police that she had taken Valium the night before and a dose of Methadone at a clinic in during morning hours.  She said that while she was driving, she reached down to grab a piece of paper and lost control of her car, which served into the road's bicycle lane and hit Bedard.

Police report that Anderson has two prior DUI convictions.

Have you been charged with DUI or related offenses?  If so, now is the time to get help from an Orange County DUI attorney.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry now!

In Newport Beach, California, it is reported that a law enforcement officer made an unlawful DUI stop.  According to reports, a woman was arrested for driving under the influence after a police officer cited a broken license plate light as the reason for the traffic stop.  However, a video from the patrol car "clearly demonstrated" that the light was, in fact, working. 

54 year old Dana M. Power was stopped by the officer and then arrested for drunk driving.  However, it has been proven that her arrest was not lawful so her charges were dropped and her driver's license was reinstated by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

The city also wagered to pay $1,670 for her attorney's fees as well as towing costs as the officer did not have "reasonable cause" to make a DUI stop.

According to Power, she had dropped a friend off in a popular nightlife area on May 30, 2009 when she was stopped by the officer.  In the police report, the officer stated, "I observed the vehicle ... did not have a functioning license plate light. ... I activated my vehicle's overhead red and blue lights ... to conduct a traffic stop on the driver of the vehicle for the violation."  The officer also wrote, "While speaking with (Power), I smelled a moderate odor of an alcohol beverage emitting from her breath and person. I also noticed her eyes were bloodshot."

After stopping Power, the officer asked her to consent to a breath alcohol test and her result was .12%, above the state's legal limit of 0.08%.  Power was then placed under arrest for driving under the influence even though the video from the patrol car showed the license plate light was working and lit.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Orange County and you have reason to believe your arrest was unlawful, now is the time to speak with an Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.  Contact our firm today!

Recently, it was reported that 400 people were convicted of driving under the influence in Washington D.C. since fall of 2008 and half were sentenced to jail time.  Unfortunately, city officials now say these individuals were convicted based upon the results of faulty breath testing machines. 

According to D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles, the breath test machines were improperly adjusted by law enforcement officers.  The people who were ordered to serve time in jail generally spent at least five days in police custody.

At this time, Nickles's office is working to notify the drivers that were arrested for driving under the influence and at least one lawsuit has been filed against the District.  Many say that the faulty tests could lead to requests for expungements, new trials and will leave people skeptical of breath alcohol testing.

When people are charged with drunk driving, they commonly contest the results of their breath tests.  Now that this news has been made public, some defense attorneys say that more people will question breath testing when they are facing prosecution for DUI.

Nickles told news sources that the faulty breath testing equipment showed results that were 20% higher.  There were 10 questionable test machines used by police in the District and all were found to produce erroneous results.  All of the machines were under investigation by Nickles's office since last February because a consultant for the city suspected that there was an accuracy problem.  Nickles says that all of the breath tests have been replaced with another brand and stricter standards for testing the accuracy of the machines have been put into action.

Investigations revealed that 1,100 prosecutions that took place between September 2008 and February 2010 relied heavily on breath test results. 

If you are facing DUI charges and believe your breath test was faulty, now is the time to have your case reviewed by an Orange County DUI attorney.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today!

On Monday, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office announced that it had charged Corey Dillon with driving under the influence.  Dillon, who is a former running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, was arrested in April for suspicion of drunk driving.

According to reports, Dillon was charged with DUI of alcohol or drugs and driving while having a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher.  On April 21, Dillon had been traveling north on Mulholland Drive, which is near Malibu.  He was pulled over by an officer who wanted to check the car's registration.  However, due to the fact that he displayed signs of impairment, he was placed under arrest for DUI.

If you have been charged with drunk driving in Orange County, it is important that you understand your rights and possible DUI defenses.  The best way to become informed is by working with an Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.  Contact our legal team today to discuss your case!

This week, it is reported that an off-duty Orange County Sherriff's deputy was arrested after he caused an auto accident and hit an elderly female driver.  After the accident, 36 year old Allan James Waters was charged with one felony count of DUI causing bodily injury and two counts of selling a substance in lieu of cocaine.

Police say that Waters caused the collision with the 78 year old woman on June 9^th.  She was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Waters was supposedly under the influence of prescription drugs and was accused of using fake cocaine to purchase the prescription medication.  Prior to the major accident, officers report that Waters was involved in a minor accident on Gold Lantern Street in Dana Point.

If he is convicted of his charges, he will face up to seven years in prison.  He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

If you have been charged with felony DUI, know that an Orange County DUI attorney from the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help you.  Simply contact us today!

In California, a new program is expected to start next month.  The program will target those who have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).  With the program, before convicted DUI offenders start their vehicles, they will have to test their breath alcohol levels. 

Last fall, a bill was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that requires first-time DUI offenders to have Breathalyzers attached to the dashboards of their vehicles.  If alcohol is detected, their vehicles won't start. 

The law will go into effect as of July 1^st in Los Angles, Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare.  In 2015, the new legislature will be evaluated and if successful, it will become a law statewide.

Have you been charged with DUI in Orange County?  If so, you should discuss your case with an Orange County DUI lawyer.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry now to learn more about your individual rights and possible defenses.

Recently, a defendant appealed a judgment of conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) of intoxicants.  According to the defendant and his defense lawyer, the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress evidence of his refusal to take a breath alcohol test.  Due to the fact that the trial court declined to make a finding on a disputed fact and the resolution of that dispute would be dispositive, the case was subjected to reverse and remand. 

Reverse and remand occurs when an appellate court finds that the trial court made a mistake by law.  The conviction may then be reversed and remanded (sent back to the trial court).  The lower court will then record the new judgment.

According to documents, the following facts were not disputed:

-  The arresting officer, Officer Vollrath, arrested the defendant for DUI.
-  Vollrath read the defendant his Miranda Rights, placed him in the patrol car and took him to a detox center.
-  At the detox center, the defendant asked if he could speak with someone about his rights.  He w given a phone and 15 minutes to speak with an attorney, but had poor eyesight and could not read any numbers in the directory he was provided with.  So, he called no one.

At the defendant's motion to suppress hearing, the officer gave testimony that challenged the defendant's story.  However, it was revealed that Vollrath would not assist the defendant in dialing phone numbers and asked him to submit to a breath test instead.  When the defendant said he would take the test after speaking with a lawyer, Officer Vollrath took it as refusal to submit to a breath test.

The trial court denied defendant's motion to suppress evidence of his refusal to take a breath test.   So, he filed an appeal of conviction with the appellate court.

If you have been charged with DUI and you believe there were issues surrounding your breath tests, contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and discuss your case with an Orange County DUI attorney.

In San Diego, police say that a drunk driver was recently arrested for driving under the influence this past Friday morning.  While driving under the influence (DUI), the driver managed to crash his SUV into a tree.  Police report that the driver and his passenger were both seriously injured.

According to police officers, the 24 year old driver had been heading southbound on Ingraham Street in a Nissan Exterra at approximately 1:35 AM.  While driving near the Sunset Cliffs ramp, the driver failed to negotiate a curve and drove his vehicle off the road, crashing right into a tree.

Law enforcement reported that the driver sustained injuries to his head and spine.  His passenger, also 24, had to be rushed to the hospital.  Details have not yet been released about the passenger's injuries or condition.

Officers say that the driver will face felony San Diego DUI charges.

Have you been charged with San Diego DUI?  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today to speak with a qualified San Diego DUI lawyer!

In New York, reports have surfaced that Sonja Morgan, cast member of the "Real Housewives", has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI). 

Police say that Morgan was arrested in South Hampton, which is 75 miles from Long Island.  She was charged with DUI, failure to yield at a stop sign and also failure to remain in her traffic lane.  Officers also issued Morgan a citation because she was not wearing her seatbelt.

Sonja Morgan was featured on the New York City version of the "Real Housewives" this season.  She is a well-known socialite who boasts that she enjoys the company of European Royalty.  Morgan is scheduled to appear in court later this month for her recent criminal offense.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Orange County, now is the time to have your case reviewed by an Orange County DUI attorney.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry now!

On Tuesday, a deputy from the San Diego County sheriff's office stopped a North County Transit bus driver during afternoon hours.  According to reports, the deputy stopped the driver after a bus passenger told dispatchers that the driver was making unnecessary stops.  The passenger also told dispatchers that the bus driver appeared to be intoxicated.

At 4:25 PM, as the driver was traveling up 479 Encinitas Boulevard and transporting eight passengers, police pulled him over.  They then arrested the driver, 40 year old David Joseph Costello, after he failed field sobriety tests.

Costello was suspected of operating a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and is facing DUI charges at this time.  A spokes person for North County Transit said that the bus was operating on Route 309, which carries passengers from Oceanside to Encinitas.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence in San Diego, now is the time to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry and speak with a San Diego DUI defense lawyer.

On Friday at 6:00 PM, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) started its Memorial Day holiday "maximum enforcement period".  The period lasted until Monday at 11:59 PM.  Last year, the CHP reported that 53 DUI arrests were made in Orange County throughout Memorial Day weekend.  This year, the CHP was happy to report that there were zero DUI fatalities during the weekend.

Last year, officers throughout the state of California made 1,465 arrests during the holiday weekend.  This year, that number increased to 1,541 DUI arrests.  Additionally, number revealed that 17 people were killed during motor vehicle accidents during this year's enforcement period.  Last year, 45 people were killed while driving on California roads during the same time period. 

Commissioner for the CHP, Joe Farrow, said that the 62% decrease in fatalities resulted from increased enforcement efforts and also greater public awareness.

Were you arrested for DUI in Orange County during Memorial Day weekend?  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to speak with an Orange County DUI attorney.

This week Monday, former The Hills star Jason Wahler was officially sentenced for driving under the influence (DUI).  His sentencing took place in Orange County, California.   The star pled guilty to his Dui charges and was sentenced to three years of probation.

The 23 year old was also ordered to attend a three month alcohol offender program and two days worth of jail time.  However, he was given credit for time he already served.

Two months ago, the star was stopped by Newport Beach police for driving under the influence. Police say that at the time of his arrest, Wahler had a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .19%, which is twice the legal limit in the state of California.

Were you arrested for or charged with DUI?  If you answered "yes", know that an Orange County DUI defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can protect your rights and best interests.  Contact us today to learn more about your legal options.

In Anaheim, a school gym was transformed into a court room.  The school, Canyon High School, was used as a live court room during the sentencing of a local criminal offender who was caught driving under the influence (DUI) in California.

Over 800 students crowded the benches and floors of the gym as a 28 year old college student who had pled guilty to DUI was sentenced by an Orange County Superior Court judge.  The defendant, Darren Nicas, has a BAC of .19% when he was arrested by law enforcement.  While driving under the influence, Nicas struck the back of the car of a 57 year old driver.

When Nicas addressed the 800 students he said, "I thought I wouldn't get caught."  He also admitted that he felt embarrassed.   The judge presiding over Nicas' case sentenced him to 6 months of DUI school, 30 days of community service and also 3 years of probation.

Nicas would have had to pay $1,800 in fines.  However, due to his participation the school assembly, the fines were waived by the court.  A prosecutor spoke to the students prior to sentencing to inform them of the facts surrounding the case.  The entire assembly cost $500 and was funded by a grant. 

If you have been charged with DUI in Orange County, now is the time to speak with an Orange County DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.  Contact us today to discuss your case!

Bakersfield City Manager, Alan Tandy, was recently stopped for driving under the influence (DUI).  The recent DUI stop shows that when it comes to drunk driving, the state of California does not play favorites.

After his DUI stop, Tandy released a statement which said, "The officers found that I was not intoxicated, which was the correct decision and a correct finding, and I was let go."

Police say that Tandy was stopped after an officer noticed that a vehicle was swerving on Truxtun Avenue.  After watching the car, the officer decided to conduct a DUI stop.  When the officer realized that he had pulled over the City Manager, he called a supervisor, Sergeant Melvin Johnson, to the scene.

Once Sgt. Johnson arrived at the scene, he spoke with Tandy.  After the conversation, Sgt. Johnson felt that Tandy was not intoxicated and said that the City Manager showed no signs of being drunk.  Tandy was released without being arrested by the officers.

If you have been stopped for driving under the influence and you were placed under arrest, now is the time to speak with an Orange County DUI attorney.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry now to discuss your legal options and possible DUI defenses.

If you live in Laguna Beach, California, it is important for you to know that local police are planning to conduct a DUI checkpoint to crack down on drunk drivers.  The DUI checkpoint will take place during Memorial Day weekend.  During that time, police officers will be on the lookout for people who are DUI and driving without valid licenses.

The checkout is expected to take place on May 29^th from 9PM until 3AM.  At this time, the checkpoint location has not been announced to the public.

This is the second DUI checkpoint that Laguna police have conducted this year and there are plans for two more to be held later in 2010.  All checkpoints are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

If you have been charged with drunk driving in Laguna Beach or a nearby region in Orange County, you need to consult with an Orange County DUI lawyer from the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry.  Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today to see how we can help you fight your DUI charges and remain in possession of your driver's license.

In San Diego, it is reported that a man who was driving under the influence (DUI) and trying to escape police capture dove into DeAnza Cover on Sunday.  The incident occurred during afternoon hours and the man had to be pulled out of the Cove by lifeguards.

According to a police sergeant, the man drove by his patrol car on West Mission Bay Drive at a speed between 70 and 90 mph at 1:15 PM. 

The police officer started to chase him when the driver suddenly crashed into a fence, exited his vehicle and proceeded to dive in to the water to try to get away from police.  After lifeguards pulled the man out of the water, he was escorted to a local hospital and examined for injuries.

Police say that the man will face charges for driving under the influence. 

Have you been charged with DUI in San Diego?  If so, a San Diego DUI lawyer from the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can be of great assistance to you.  Contact our law office to speak with a DUI lawyer today!

According to a county coroner's report, off-duty LAPD officer Jacqueline Montalvo was killed earlier this year after crashing her car, and it was recently determined that she was legally drunk. Three others were injured in the crash. Montalvo’s vehicle veered across the median into opposing traffic and collided with two pickup trucks.

Her blood alcohol level was 0.18 %, which is more than twice the legal limit. Montalvo was an eleven-year veteran of the LAPD and was engaged to another LAPD officer. She had just gotten engaged two weeks before her death.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense, especially when drink driving leads to an accident that results in injury or death. If you or someone you know has been charged with DUI in Orange County or the surrounding area, you need to contact an Orange County DUI defense attorney as soon as possible. The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry have helped countless clients successfully overcome their charges. Call 877-384-7833 to arrange an appointment with a DUI lawyer at the office today.

Incidents of DUI are unfortunately not that uncommon, but sometimes the more unusual ones warrant attention due to their uniqueness. Yvonne Campbell was driving rather erratically on Interstate 80 in Concord and lost control of her Acura TL. She veered off the highway, slid down a hill, crashed through a highway boundary fence, crashed through another wooden fence, rolled across a private residence yard, and landed in their swimming pool. Rescue workers responding to the emergency call had to dive into the pool to save the woman who appeared dead. She was resuscitated however and was transported to a local hospital. She was later charged with DUI.

If you have been charged with DUI in Orange County, it's important to contact an Orange County DUI attorney to help you fight your charges. Choosing the right DUI attorney to represent you is an important decision when facing criminal charges. At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, you can trust your case will be handled by an attorney with extensive experience in DUI defense and the skill to represent you properly. Contact our office today at 877-384-7833 to speak to one of  our attorneys.

Candice Lightner, divorced mother of three, has accepted the fact that she will be grieving for the rest of her life.

Her daughter, Carrie, was thirteen years old when she was killed by a repeat offender drunk driver. Candice's anger drove her to want to strike back because she was MAD, and from that sadness and anger came the now nationally-known organization MADD. She gave up her job as a real estate agent and went to work full-time with her new group. In the year 1980, when her daughter Carrie was killed, records show that 27,000 people died that year in alcohol-related crashes. 

One of Lightener's main goals was to get the agreement of judges, law enforcement and communities to be intolerant of drunk drivers and bring this viewpoint to both local and national levels. She turned a tragedy into a national movement. She is now back into real estate but her mark has been made on society and it seems everyone has heard about MADD.

If you or someone you love has been arrested for driving under the influence amd now needs an expert Orange County DUI Attorney, please contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry at 877-384-7833 to schedule an appointment with a lawyer at the firm.

An eighteen year-old-girl who was high on drugs ran off the road this past Tuesday in Long Island, killing a woman who was mowing her lawn. Kayla Gerdes, the driver, apparently jumped the curb and ran over 69-year-old Rebecca Twine-Wright. The entire front of the commercial van Gerdes was driving smashed into Twine-Wrights Colonial style home. Twine-Wright , a retired doctor, was dragged beneath the vehicle and died at the scene of the DUI accident. Gerdes, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, driving while impaired by drugs, and unlicensed operation of a vehicle, police said.

The owner of the vehicle, who was in the passenger seat, was not charged in the incident.

Charged with DUI or Vehicular Manslaughter in Orange County?

When it comes to DUI charges, having an expert DUI defense lawyer is not only desired, it is a MUST. If you or someone you know needs expert representation in this area, contact an Orange County DUI attorney at the law offices of Virginia L. Landry today for experienced and dedicated representation!

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!

If you have recently been arrested for DUI, you probably have several questions running through your mind regarding how this arrest will affect your future. The following are some of the most questions we get asked regarding the penalties associated with DUI:

Will I lose my driver's license?

As soon as you're arrested for DUI the police will confiscate your driver's license. At this time, you will be given a temporary license that is good for 30 days. You have 10 days from your arrest to schedule an administrative hearing with the DMV. This hearing is your opportunity to contest the suspension of your driver's license. If the DMV representative presiding over the hearing rules in your favor, your license will be reinstated. However if you are found guilty, your license will remain suspended. It should also be mentioned that even if you are found not guilty during the hearing, you can still lose your driving privileges if you are found guilty during the criminal part of your case.

Will I go to jail?

Most people do not go to jail for a basic first-time DUI. That being said, there are certain factors that will definitely increase a person's chances of being sent to jail, such as having multiple DUI arrests/convictions on your record, driving with a BAC of .15 or higher, driving with a child in the vehicle, or causing a serious or fatal accident. 

The best way to avoid going to jail for a DUI is by contacting an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer who can ensure your case is aggressively defended.

What are some of the other DUI penalties I could face?

In addition to license suspension, common penalties for a DUI include probation, fines, community service, and mandatory participation in an alcohol education class.

Can I expunge a DUI?

There are times when you might be able to have a DUI conviction expunged from your record. An experienced DUI attorney at our firm can provide you with more information about the benefits associated with expungements and record sealing.

Will I lose my job?

If you have a job that requires you to drive, your employer may feel you are no longer fit for that position. However, there is no law that says an employer must fire an employee who is arrested on DUI charges.

If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding you DUI arrest, an Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry would be happy to address your questions. To schedule a consultation, please contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN!

The following statistics and information are based on the most recent data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which is based off the year 2007:

General Overview

• Per 100,000 licensed drivers, 863 people were arrested for DUI
• The total number of drivers arrested for DUI was 203,866
• The number of felony DUI arrests was 6,264
• The number of misdemeanor DUI arrests was 197,602
• The percentage of DUI convictions as of September 2007 is 75%
• The number of alcohol-involved reckless driving convictions is 15,121
• The percentage of alcohol-related reckless driving convictions as of September 2007 is 7.4%
• There were 1,489 alcohol-involved fatalities
• 30,783 people were injured in an alcohol-involved accident
• 749 people were killed in drug-involved accidents
• 2,464 people were injured in drug-involved accidents (some of these cases involved both alcohol and drugs)

License Suspensions/Revocations (Before Conviction):

• .01 Zero tolerance suspensions: 22,112
• There were 123,594 first-offender suspensions (with BAC of.08 or more)
• There were 42,979 repeat offender suspensions (with BAC of .08 or more)
• There were 3,528 repeat offender revocations (with BAC of .08 or more)
• Action was taken against 2,903 commercial drivers
• Chemical test refusal actions: 9,581
• There were 426 suspensions for .01 test refusal
• There were 5,627 suspensions for .08 test refusal
• There were 3,528 revocations for .08 test refusal

License Suspension/Revocations (Post-Conviction)

• 1061 juveniles had their licenses suspended
• There were 124,436 first-offender suspensions
• Of the 124,436 suspensions,122,102 were for misdemeanor charges
• Of the 124,436 suspensions, 2,334 were for felony charges
• There were 34,296 second offender S/R actions
• Of the 34,296 S/R actions, 33,649 were for misdemeanor charges
• Of the 34,296 S/R actions, 647 were for felony charges
• There were 8,063 3rd offender revocations
• Of the 8,063 revocations, 7,830 were for misdemeanor charges
• Of the 8,063 revocations, 233 were for felony charges
• There were 2,790 4th offender license revocations
• The total number of suspensions and revocations in 2007 was 170,646

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence and your license has been revoked or suspended, an Orange County DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can help. To schedule an appointment to discuss your case, please contact the office at (877) DUI-QUEEN!

When arrested for driving under the influence, the first thing that often pops into many people's minds is, What are the penalties that I'm facing? Will I go to jail? Will I lose my driver's license? How much is this going to cost me?  All of these are valid questions you might be asking yourself if you have recently been arrested for DUI in Orange County.

DUI Penalties

The types of DUI penalties a driver will face depend on the driver's prior criminal history. The more DUI arrests or convictions a driver has on his or her record, the more serious the penalties will be.

The following is list of some of the penalties associated with driving under the influence:

• Driver's license suspension, anywhere from four months to four years  
• Probation, up to five years
• 0 months to 1 year in county jail
• 1 to 5 years in state prison, for a third or subsequent offense
• 3 to 18 months of mandatory alcohol education classes
• Fines and court fees of anywhere from $390 to $1,500 (this does not include attorney fees)
• Installation of an ignition interlock device in the vehicle
• Community service
• Mandatory attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings

Charged with DUI in Orange County?

When faced with DUI charges, you can rest assured knowing that the skilled DUI defense team at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry is here to help you get through this difficult time. The experienced Orange County DUI attorney assigned to your case will remain by your side every step of the way, defending your rights and helping to secure the best possible outcome. The attorneys at the firm understand the penalties for driving under the influence are daunting, to say the least, which is why they are so committed to providing each and every client with personalized attention, dedicated service, and overall exceptional representation from the beginning of their case until the very end.

Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN to learn more about working with an Orange County DUI lawyer at the firm!

When Don Ninow was arrested for DUI in Huntington Beach, he never thought his mistake would have an impact on his beloved dogs.

After rear-ending the car in front of him at a red light, the 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.  It is unsure what type of drugs Ninow was taking, but his significant other said he takes heart medication, as well as medication for blood pressure and diabetes.  Because the case is still under investigation, police have declined to comment about what led them to believe Ninow was driving under the influence.  However, Lt. Russell Reinhart of the department says the arrest was perfectly legal and more than justified.

After Ninow was arrested he was taken into police custody and the police had his car impounded. 

Ninow had had his two dogs in the car with him, a Maltese and a Yorkshire terrier, at the time of his arrest.  When Ninow was released from custody that same day, he went to look for his dogs.  The Yorkshire terrier was taken to OC Animal Care, but it the Maltese could not be found.

Ninow is claiming the police forgot about his Maltese, and left her in the vehicle while it was impounded.  Ninow believes that because the Maltese was in a carrier, the police accidently left the dog in the vehicle.  The dog was left in the car for about 26 hours.

Ninow has since filed a claim against the city for $9,999.99.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can defend you in court and help you fight your charges.  To make an appointment to discuss your case with an attorney at the firm, please fill out a free case evaluation or click here to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today!

A woman initially pulled over for a hit & run faces additional charges for stealing an ambulance. 

The incident took place last month when the woman was arrested for a hit & run crash.  She was waiting to undergo a blood test when she slipped past security and got into a running ambulance. She then drove the ambulance and parked it in front of a house, claiming to be looking for her ex-boyfriend.

Fortunately, no one was hurt and no vehicles were damaged.  

The woman now faces charges for driving under the influence , hit and run, and stealing a motor vehicle.

Experienced Orange County Defense

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in or around Orange County, it is important that you equip yourself with tough and dedicated defense representation.  Even a first-time DUI can result in serious penalties, especially when extenuating circumstances enhance the severity of the incident.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry have defended thousands of clients throughout Orange County, and have ample experience with multiple DUI defense strategies.  If you have been arrested for DUI, or any other type of crime for that matter, you can trust an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer or Orange County criminal defense attorney at the firm to protect your best interests, aggressively fight your charges, and work diligently to secure the best case result possible.

To learn more about the type of service you can retain at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN!

Two U.S. senators have announced their plan for reducing drunk driving nationwide. Their plan requires all 50 states to put an "electric cop" on the dashboard of vehicles being driven by people convicted of DUI, even if it's their first offense. Any state that fails to comply would lose a portion of its federal transportation funding.

The "electric cop" combines ignition interlock technology with an in-car breathalyzer. Before the engine can start, the driver must blow into the device.  If the driver's breath alcohol result is too high, the car will not start. Drivers would be required to keep this device in their vehicles for six months after their conviction.

Multiple states already have enacted similar laws. In California, the state legislature created a 66-month pilot project that mandates interlock devices to be installed for DUI offenders in Alameda, Los Angles, and Sacramento Counties. The length of time the device is installed depends on how many DUI convictions the defendant has on his or her record. If the project proves to be successful, the state is expected to mandate the installation of these devices in all counties.

If you are interested in learning more about ignition interlock devices and how they pertain to your Orange County DUI charges , please do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to speak with an experienced Orange County DUI attorney today!

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and the state legislature are recommending tougher penalties for repeat DUI offenders, as well as mandatory treatment for those convicted of a first-time DUI.

One of the main changes the governor and the legislature are recommending is requiring all people convicted of three or more DUIs to spend at least 60 days in jail and remove the possibility of a work release sentence, at least until they've served 60 days.

How does this penalty compare to the penalties for a 3 ^rd DUI in California?

In California, if a person is convicted of a third DUI, he or she could face:

• Anywhere from 4 months to 1 year in county jail
• Driver's license suspension for up to three years
• 1 to 5 years probation
• Mandatory 18 months alcohol education classes
• Up to $1,500 in fines
• Installation of an ignition interlock device in the vehicle

Defense Against Multiple DUI Charges

If you are facing a third, fourth, or subsequent DUI in Orange County, it is imperative that you retain defense representation from an experienced and skilled DUI attorney.  The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry has been defending people against DUI charges in Orange County for years, and has handled many cases in which the defendant was facing multiple DUI charges.  A third DUI is a very serious offense, and can even lead to felony DUI charges depending on the circumstances of your arrest.  You can trust a dedicated Orange County DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to fight your charges aggressively and work hard to resolve your case in the best possible outcome.

If you are interested in setting up a consultation to discuss your case, please fill out a free case evaluation or contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN!

The Whittier Daily News is reporting that the city of La Mirada's department of public safety will join law enforcement agencies throughout the state as part of California's 18-Day Holiday DUI Crackdown campaign.  More than 300 DUI/driver's license checkpoints have been planned in cities throughout California in an effort to catch drunk drivers and people driving without a valid license.

The campaign, which began on Dec. 16 and will run until Jan. 3, is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration.

Last Wednesday, www.ocduilawblog.com reported that 17 people were arrested on suspicion of DUI in Garden Grove as a result of a checkpoint sponsored by this campaign, and we expect several more DUI arrests will take place while the campaign is in effect.

Arrested at a DUI Checkpoint?

If you or someone you love has been arrested at an Orange County checkpoint, you can trust a skilled Orange County DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to provide you with aggressive defense against your charges.  We have handled thousands of DUI cases on behalf of clients in Orange County and in neighboring cities, and have helped many clients avoid a driver's license suspension and a number of other penalties .  If you are searching for experienced and dedicated defense for your DUI case, click here to fill out a free case evaluation or contact an Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today!

Arrested on suspicion of DUI in Orange County?  If so, you will need to hire an attorney to defend you against your charges.  While you have the option of defending yourself, this is never advisable, as you probably do not have the experience or legal knowledge to competently address your license suspension at the DMV hearing and your charges in criminal court.  Therefore, you need to hire either a public defender or a private DUI defense attorney to handle your case. 

Trust me when I say it is far better to hire an Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry than to hire a public defender.  Although public defenders go through just as much legal training as any other attorney, they simply do not have the time to devote your case the same way a private defender does.  Because public defenders work for the County, they are often assigned more cases than they can handle.  This results in an inability to provide each case with adequate time and attention, which can ultimately affect whether or not your case ends successfully.

At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, we choose how many cases we handle, so we are never over burdened with work.  This allows us to provide each and every client with the personal attention, time, and dedication they not only deserve, but more importantly need to increase their chances of overcoming their charges.

To learn more about our qualifications, experience, and the DUI defense services offered at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, please do not hesitate to contact a dedicated Orange County DUI attorney at the firm today!

DUI is typically classified as a misdemeanor offense.  However, there are circumstances in which the prosecutor may have grounds to charge you with a felony count of DUI.  If you have been arrested and charged with felony DUI , it is imperative that you speak with an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry right away.  A felony DUI conviction will involve in several very serious penalties , such as incarceration in state prison, up to $1,500 in fines, 18 months of mandatory DUI classes, license suspension up to 4 months, or the permanent revocation of your driver' s license.

Some factors that could enhance your charges to a felony include:

• A 4th DUI with 10 years
• Causing a DUI accident resulting in injury
• Causing a fatal DUI accident
• Driving with a minor in the vehicle
• Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .16 percent or higher

Defense Against Felony DUI Charges in Orange County

At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, you can rest assured that a knowledgeable Orange County DUI defense attorney will be assigned to your case.  All of the attorneys at the firm have extensive DUI defense experience, and have handled numerous cases involving felony DUI charges.  You can trust the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to provide you with aggressive defense against your charges, and work diligently to get your charges reduced to a misdemeanor or a lesser offense.  In some cases, the firm has even been able to get felony DUI charges thrown out completely.

To learn more about your legal rights and options following your DUI arrest , please contact a lawyer at the office or click here to fill out a free case evaluation form!

Seventeen people were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of DUI as a result of two separate DUI checkpoints in Garden Grove.

In addition to the 17 arrests, 38 vehicles were impounded, not only from the drivers arrested for DUI, but also from people who were caught driving without a valid driver's license .

There have been four DUI checkpoints so far this month, resulting in a total of 28 arrests and 113 impounded vehicles.  All of the checkpoints were funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission.

Experienced DUI Defense in Orange County

If you were arrested at a DUI checkpoint in Garden Grove, or anywhere else in Orange County, it is important that you contact an attorney right away.  An Orange County DUI defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can defend you against your charges at both your DMV hearing and in criminal court to help you avoid a license suspension , conviction, and multiple DUI penalties .  The attorneys at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry have represented literally thousands of clients charged with DUI in Orange County , and have vast experience in all areas of DUI defense . 

To schedule a consultation to discuss your charges, please click here to fill out a free case evaluation or contact an Orange County DUI attorney at the office today!

If you are a commercial driver, and you have been arrested for DUI, it is IMPERATIVE that you speak with an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry right away.   The stakes are much higher for commercial drivers, and a DUI conviction can result in the permanent revocation of your driver's license.

California Vehicle Code 23152d prohibits a commercial driver from driving with a BAC level of .04% or greater.  This is much stricter than the .08% BAC limit for non-commercial drivers.   An unlike non-commercial drivers, drivers of commercial vehicles cannot refuse a breath or blood test.

Upon conviction or a guilty plea, commercial drivers are sentenced to the same penalties as non-commercial drivers, however they are much stricter.  For example, a first-time DUI for a commercial driver will result in a one-year license suspension.  For non-commercial drivers, a first-time DUI generally results in a license suspension of 3 to 6 months. Furthermore, if a commercial driver receives a second DUI, his or her license will be permanently revoked.  A second offense for a non-commercial driver typically results in a one-year suspension.

When a non-commercial driver's driver's license is suspended, they can sometimes apply for a hardship license, which permits them to drive to work, school, and DUI classes.  This type of license is not available to commercial drivers.

Get Help From an Experienced Orange County DUI Lawyer

It is very important for any commercial driver charged with DUI to obtain experienced and dedicated DUI defense representation.  Not only do you stand to lose your driver's license, but you will also lose your job and the chance of getting another driving job in the future.  To ensure you have the aggressive defense you need, contact an Orange County DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today or click here to fill out a free case evaluation!

The Lev Foundation, a non-profit organization based out of Beverly Hills, is offering a free $10 taxi cab voucher now through the end of the month. You can obtain a voucher by visiting the organization's website at www.thelevfoundation.org.

The organization is hoping that by offering an incentive, tipsy drivers will not get behind the wheel and drink and drive.  So far about 200 vouchers have been distributed.

The foundation was created in honor of 25-year-old Daniel Levian, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2008. Levian's family says that if the vouchers stop even one person from getting behind the wheel while drunk, they will have served their purpose.

This holiday season, you can anticipate that both the Los Angeles and Orange County Sheriff's Offices will be cracking down hard on drunk driving.  If you are going to be drinking in the Los Angeles or Orange County area, be smart.  Don't drink and drive.  Call a taxi, designate a driver, or make arrangements to spend the night at a hotel.

Contact a DUI Attorney for Help!

In the event that you or a loved is arrested on suspicion of DUI, be sure to hire an experienced DUI defense attorney to defend you in court and at the DMV hearing.   An Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can protect your best interest and put up an aggressive fight against your charges.

If you are interested in learning more about the DUI defense services offered at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, click here to contact an Orange County DUI attorney or feel free to fill out a free case evaluation!

The world of a DUI defense attorney never fails to get interesting.

The Orange County Register has reported that a 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI after he was discovered passed out in his vehicle in a Jack-in-the-Box drive-through.

Deputies were called to the Lake Forest Jack-in-the-Box on Rockfield Boulevard and El Toro Road around 2:30 Friday morning. Employees reported that the man, who was passed out in his BMV, was unresponsive when they tried to wake him. 

When deputies arrived they said the man had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.  They later moved his vehicle from the drive-through and conducted a standard DUI investigation.

The man, Harvey Wobig of Lake Forest, was arrested and booked at the Men's Central Jail. Wobig had previously been arrested for DUI just weeks earlier. 

He is being held in police custody until his arraignment.

Experienced Orange County DUI Lawyers

As reported by www.ocduilawblog.com two weeks ago, the Orange County Sheriff's Department is increasing their DUI patrols throughout the holiday season. If you or a loved one has been arrested on DUI charges, you can trust an experienced Orange County DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to help you fight your charges.  The attorneys at the firm have extensive DUI defense experience, and would be happy to provide you with the aggressive representation you need at both the DMV hearing and in criminal court.

Please fill out a free case evaluation or click here to contact a dedicated Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today!

If you have been arrested for DUI in Orange County, your driver's license will automatically be confiscated and the police will issue you a temporary driving permit good for 30 days.  After 30 days, your license will be suspended unless you are successful at the DMV hearing. 

You have only 10 days following your Orange County DUI arrest to schedule a hearing with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.  This hearing is your chance to contest the suspension of your driver's license.  If you do not schedule your hearing within 10 days you will lose your right to a hearing and consequently lose the opportunity to win back your driving privileges.

It is important to understand the DMV hearing is not the same as your criminal case.  It is a separate process with separate consequences.  The sole purpose of the DMV hearing is to contest the suspension of your driver's license.  The criminal case is to determine whether you are guilty or not guilty of driving under the influence.

At the Hearing

At the hearing you and your attorney will meet with a representative from the DMV.  During the hearing, your attorney can present evidence, testimony, and make arguments as to why you deserve to get your driver's license back.  The DMV representative, acting much like a prosecutor, will present evidence and arguments from the police as to why your driver's license should remain suspended.  After reviewing both sides, the DMV representative will then act as a judge to determine whether your driving privileges will remain suspended or be reinstated.  

Contact an Experienced DMV Hearing Attorney

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Orange County, be sure to obtain experienced legal counsel to represent you at this hearing.  Many people underestimate the value of having a trained and knowledgeable Orange County DUI lawyer by their side during the hearing.  Not only can an attorney protect your rights and best interests, but an attorney can also prepare and deliver a compelling argument as to why you should get to keep your driver's license.

If you are searching for an experienced Orange County DUI attorney to represent you at your DMV hearing, please consider contacting the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today by visiting www.duiqueen.com  or by filling out a free case evaluation form.

While many people know it's a crime to drive under the influence of drugs, even more people are surprised to learn that it is also a crime to drive under the influence of a non-illegal prescription or over-the-counter medication.

It's obvious why it's a crime to drive under the influence of an illegal drug, such as cocaine, marijuana, heroine, methamphetamines, or Ecstasy. But it's not so obvious why it's a crime to drive under the influence of a lawful drug.  

Some over-the-counter and prescription medications have side effects that can cause the driver to become drowsy or less alert.  Whenever drugs or medicine--regardless of whether they're illegal or legal--compromise a person's ability to safely operate a vehicle, they can be charged with DUI.  In the eyes of the law, although you did not break the law by possessing and consuming an illegal drug, you are still a threat to the drivers, passengers, and pedestrians around you, which is enough to justify slapping you with a DUI.

Get the Experienced DUI Defense You Need

Charged with driving under the influence of a prescription medication or over-the-counter drug in Orange County?  Do not head to court alone. There are many viable defenses a skilled Orange County DUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia Landry can use to help you beat your charges.  If you are interested in learning more about the DUI defense services offered at the firm, please fill out a free case evaluation form or click here to visit the website.

Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today!

Nearly two weeks ago, sheriff's deputies in the East County area of greater San Diego County conducted a massive sweep aimed at targeting approximately 750 people wanted on arrest warrants, mainly DUI arrest warrants.

The result? 67 arrests.

The sweep began around 6 a.m. By 6:15 a.m., several arrests had already been made.  The operation ended around noon.

The San Diego Sheriff's department was assisted by offers from the El Cajon and La Mesa police departments and the California Highway Patrol. 

As a result of the sweep, 105 warrants were taken off the books, and many of the people brought into custody had more than one outstanding warrant.  Those booked in jail now stand to face enhanced criminal penalties.

If you were arrested during this sweep it is important to retain the defense representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.  With offices in Orange County and San Diego, the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry has defended many clients in these areas who have been taken into custody on an arrest warrant.  We understand the best way to proceed forward in these types of situations, and can provide you with the aggressive defense needed to help you avoid additional penalties and further prosecution.

To learn more about the defense services offered at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, please fill out a free case evaluation or take a moment to visit our criminal defense website.

Orange County is not the only place in Southern California that experienced an increase in DUI arrests over the Thanksgiving weekend.  According to the California Highway Patrol, the number of DUI arrests during the Thanksgiving weekend in San Diego County is up as well.

Over the past weekend, 36 motorists were arrested on suspicion of DUI between 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 6 a.m. of Friday.  This number is being compared to last year's 32 DUI arrests.  Although this is small increase, it is an increase nonetheless, and is a sign that people are continuing to drink drive despite stepped up law enforcement efforts.

San Diego has a zero-tolerance DUI enforcement policy, which means if you are caught drinking and driving you can expect to be arrested, taken into police custody, and booked on DUI charges.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for DUI in San Diego, it is important to find an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer you can trust to protect your rights and put up an aggressive fight against your charges.  To learn how the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can defend you in court and at the DMV hearing, please fill out a free case evaluation, or visit our San Diego DUI Defense website for more information!

As reported by the Orange County Register this month, the Orange County Sheriff's Department has received a significant state grant designed to arrest persons who have consumed alcohol and driven a vehicle.  $874,852 has been allocated for sobriety checkpoints (which notoriously do NOT result in many arrests) as well as roving DUI patrols (which do result in many arrests). 

As part of this new money, police officers will become more aggressive in what we call COURT STINGS - hanging out in court parking lots, running the history on the license plates of cars parked in the court lots, and waiting to see who gets into the car when they leave court.  Some judges call this practice "FISHING" and believe it is an effective tool in getting people who are driving on a suspended license arrested.  Along with current technology which allows a moving patrol vehicle to scan license plates and respond by an audible "ding" these actions are now being funded for court parking lots. The same practice happens every day near bars and restaurant parking lots near you!

Obviously everyone wants the roadways to be safe, but the long arm of the law is not only reaching out to put you in the grasp of the officer's handcuffs, but is being used to search and find someone they may think is driving impaired or under the influence of alcohol, instead of to protect and serve when they actually view someone driving drunk.

If this has happened to you, please don't attempt to fight the government with all of its resources by yourself.  Call our office to arrange for your free consultation, 949-585-7400 or visit us at www.duiqueen.com.

One of the most common statements we receive from our clients includes that they were not read their Miranda Rights after being arrested for a DUI.  Police officers don't necessarily need to advise you of your Miranda Rights if you have been arrested for a DUI.  You may be wondering...how does this make any sense?  Haven't we always learned that during an arrest, you should always be advised by law enforcement that "you have the right to remain silent " and "anything you say can be used against you"?

Law enforcement is trained to obtain incriminating evidence during a DUI investigation before a subject is arrested.  What does this mean exactly?  The courts have determined that two conditions must be met before a police officer must read you the Miranda Rights; concurrent custody and interrogation of a subject.

Once law enforcement initiates a traffic stop they may find a reason to believe that the driver has been drinking.  They will continue questioning the driver and perform field sobriety tests before they make the determination to arrest the driver for being under the influence.  Should they continue to ask direct questions regarding the DUI after the driver has been arrested, then in this case it is necessary under the law that the officer read the arrested person their Miranda Rights.  However, if the officer has no further questions and the driver is in their custody, then law enforcement is not required to read the subject their Miranda Rights since the second condition has not been met.  However, in certain circumstances, it may be possible to keep statements from coming into evidence.

If you have been arrested, you will need an experienced and skilled DUI defense attorney to help discern whether or not your rights were violated.  Give the Law Offices of Virginia Landry a call at 949-585-7400.  We provide a free consultation and can help you get through this difficult time.  Visit us at www.duiqueen.com or www.orangecountycriminallaw.com.

Recently, there were two cases where Sheriff's deputies were involved in DUI related accidents.  Matthew Cheeks, an Orange County Sheriff's Deputy, may be facing DUI charges after crashing his truck into a light pole last Friday.  Robert Moran, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy was convicted of a DUI and injuring two people after crashing into their car. He was sentenced to home confinement, a three-month treatment program including a Mothers Against Drunk Driving panel meeting and three years informal probation.  If you have been arrested by either one of these deputies, give our law offices a call at 949-585-7400.  You may have some legal options to pursue depending on your case. 

In Orange County a DUI conviction carries stiff penalties.  These include:
1) jail time, 2) monetary fines, 3) community service, 4) DUI school, 5) license suspension, 6) probation, 7) ignition interlock device.  In addition, a person's sentence may be increased if they caused a DUI related accident with bodily injury to another person. 

It is important that you seek the advice of a skilled DUI attorney immediately should this happen to you.  We can provide you with information and service that you can rely upon.  Visit us at www.duiqueen.com or www.orangecountycriminallaw.com.  Scheduling an appointment is fast and easy.  We are here to help people through these difficult times.

When you are arrested for a DUI in Orange County or San Diego County, be aware that you should begin to take action to protect yourself immediately.  First, you need experienced and effective legal counsel to represent you and defend your rights.  Second, you only have ten calendar days to make a request with the DMV for an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing.  This hearing allows you to challenge the suspension of your driver's license.  Keep in mind that this hearing is separate from the court proceedings.  With the DMV now being closed 3 days a month due to the statewide furlough and with our busy day to day lives, it is easy to let this time elapse.  

Once the request for a hearing is made, you may ask for what is called a "stay" on your license and a temporary driver's license will be mailed to you.  This means that your license will be valid until you receive the final written decision after the hearing.  This information is important because when you are arrested, your driver's license is confiscated by law enforcement and you are provided with a temporary driving permit that is valid for only 30 days.  Currently, APS hearings are being scheduled at least 30-45 days from the time the call is made.  Therefore, your license may essentially be valid longer than the initial 30 day time period.  If you fail to call the DMV within 10 days of your arrest, your driver's license will automatically be suspended after 30 days.  However, if you win the DMV hearing, your driving privileges will be reinstated.  There is nothing to lose by making this phone call!

The Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry offer a free consultation and if you choose to retain our services, we will make this phone call for you.  You do not have to worry about time constraints, we do it all for you!  For reliable and skilled legal representation, give us a call at 949-585-7400 or visit us at www.duiqueen.com.