Recent Posts in Underage DUI Category

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 30.

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

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

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

Underage DUI is a term applied to when a minor (a person under the age of 21) is arrested and charged with driving under the influence.  California has a strict zero tolerance policy that clearly states people under the age of 21 are not allowed to drive if they have any detectable amount of alcohol in their system.  If a minor is caught driving with a BAC of even .01% they can be arrested and charged with DUI.

It is important for any underage driver arrested for DUI to obtain representation from an experienced DUI lawyer.  Underage drivers have a little more at stake.  Not only do they stand to face legal penalties, such as driver's license suspension, fines, community service, probation, jail, etc., but a DUI arrest could also affect their current and future goals. Drivers that are still in high school could be suspended or expelled from extra-curricular activities, which can be especially detrimental for those students who are depending on athletics, music, art, etc. to get them a college scholarship.  A DUI arrest could also affect a student's chances of getting accepted into a good college or finding a job once they graduate. If a driver is already in college, a DUI conviction could affect their course of study, since some majors prohibit students from continuing forward in the major if they have a DUI on their record.

Experienced DUI Defense in Orange County

If you are under the age of 21 and have been arrested for a DUI, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced Orange County DUI defense attorney right away.  A skilled lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry can get to work immediately in preparing a strong defense. The attorneys at the firm understand you have a lot to lose, and that overcoming your charges to avoid a conviction is imperative.  The firm strives to provide each and every client with the professional, dedicated, and aggressive defense needed to increase their chances of resolving the case successfully!

To schedule a consultation with a Orange County DUI lawyer at the firm, please contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today at (877) DUI-QUEEN!