Westchester Second Time DUI Negotiated to a First Time DUI Attorney Success # 7
Our client, age 30, was charged with one count of driving under the influence of alcohol (Vehicle Code Section 23152(a)), a misdemeanor, and one count of violation of driving while having a 0.08% or higher blood alcohol level (Vehicle Code Section 23152(b)).
Our client, when arrested, loudly yelled at police, screaming expletives at them for over twenty minutes.
The police were stunned by her outbursts. They had stopped her when she turned left right in front of a police car coming from the opposite direction, almost causing a collision with the police car. When the police turned on their flashing lights, our client then almost ran over several pedestrians in a cross-walk.
Her BAC was measured at 0.21 at the scene with a portable alcohol screening device (PAS). At the scene, she also failed certain field sobriety tests.
The Airport Courthouse District Attorney was outraged at our client’s disrespect of police officers and her high BAC. She asked the DA to condition her remaining out of custody on her taking two AA classes per week. She also extended an exceedingly harsh initial offer, specifying that our client attend a full year of AA meetings, for example.
When Greg Hill of our office interviewed the client he discovered three things of relevance. First, the client had a prior DUI from New Jersey that the Los Angeles District Attorney had not discovered yet. Second, the client’s outbursts were related to a post traumatic stress disorder related to being recently raped and whenever a male was forceful with her, she became belligerent. Third, both of the client’s ankles were permanently injured from a lengthy athletic career and the field sobriety tests were conducted on very uneven ground.
Our office then wrote a letter to the District Attorney, seeking empathy for the client’s yelling and explaining the reason for her behavior. While nothing can erase a 0.21 BAC reading, the client’s poor performance on the field sobriety tests was partially related to her physical limitations and the rough ground on which the tests were administered.
Greg Hill of our office also pointed out that the police officer’s initial observations on the police report that “when the client stepped out of the vehicle, I detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the vehicle” was obviously cut and pasted from another report, as our client was driving an open air jeep, so such an odor would not emit from the vehicle. The officer also failed to explain how the odor, if any was really detected, was attributable to our client, as our client had three other equally intoxicated passengers.
Our office also showed the District Attorney eight by ten color photographs of the area where the field sobriety tests were administered. Lastly, our office also attached many letters of recommendation of the client from her many employers and friends, as well as diplomas and even photographs of her with famous customers of hers.
The District Attorney, upon reading the letter and its attachments, genuinely sympathized with our client and “sweetened” the offer to eliminate the 52 weeks of AA meetings. The offer nevertheless required our client to attend the nine month alcohol awareness program (AB1353) for anyone with a BAC above 0.15, pay a $390 fine plus penalties and assessments, attend a MADD meeting and submit to three years of being on summary probation.
Our client quickly accepted the offer, as the DA had softened the offer in consideration of her situation, but had not yet researched the criminal background of our client from New Jersey. Our client felt she had received about the best deal she could, considering her predicament.
Had the District Attorney discovered the other DUI, our client faced a maximum of one year in jail. With the deal accepted, she entirely avoided jail.
If you or a family member have been charged with a DUI (Vehicle Code (VC) § 23152(a)), or Vehicle Code (VC) § 23152(b)) call our office today. One of our attorneys will speak with you immediately and will fight vigorously for you.
Don't risk losing your employment or your reputation. Call us today at (310) 782-2500 for your free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.
When payment is an issue, we have very competitive flat fee rates to represent you or your family member. In special circumstances, we will also consider payment plans where payments are spread out over time. We also accept all major credit cards.
Our client, when arrested, loudly yelled at police, screaming expletives at them for over twenty minutes.
The police were stunned by her outbursts. They had stopped her when she turned left right in front of a police car coming from the opposite direction, almost causing a collision with the police car. When the police turned on their flashing lights, our client then almost ran over several pedestrians in a cross-walk.
Her BAC was measured at 0.21 at the scene with a portable alcohol screening device (PAS). At the scene, she also failed certain field sobriety tests.
The Airport Courthouse District Attorney was outraged at our client’s disrespect of police officers and her high BAC. She asked the DA to condition her remaining out of custody on her taking two AA classes per week. She also extended an exceedingly harsh initial offer, specifying that our client attend a full year of AA meetings, for example.
When Greg Hill of our office interviewed the client he discovered three things of relevance. First, the client had a prior DUI from New Jersey that the Los Angeles District Attorney had not discovered yet. Second, the client’s outbursts were related to a post traumatic stress disorder related to being recently raped and whenever a male was forceful with her, she became belligerent. Third, both of the client’s ankles were permanently injured from a lengthy athletic career and the field sobriety tests were conducted on very uneven ground.
Our office then wrote a letter to the District Attorney, seeking empathy for the client’s yelling and explaining the reason for her behavior. While nothing can erase a 0.21 BAC reading, the client’s poor performance on the field sobriety tests was partially related to her physical limitations and the rough ground on which the tests were administered.
Greg Hill of our office also pointed out that the police officer’s initial observations on the police report that “when the client stepped out of the vehicle, I detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the vehicle” was obviously cut and pasted from another report, as our client was driving an open air jeep, so such an odor would not emit from the vehicle. The officer also failed to explain how the odor, if any was really detected, was attributable to our client, as our client had three other equally intoxicated passengers.
Our office also showed the District Attorney eight by ten color photographs of the area where the field sobriety tests were administered. Lastly, our office also attached many letters of recommendation of the client from her many employers and friends, as well as diplomas and even photographs of her with famous customers of hers.
The District Attorney, upon reading the letter and its attachments, genuinely sympathized with our client and “sweetened” the offer to eliminate the 52 weeks of AA meetings. The offer nevertheless required our client to attend the nine month alcohol awareness program (AB1353) for anyone with a BAC above 0.15, pay a $390 fine plus penalties and assessments, attend a MADD meeting and submit to three years of being on summary probation.
Our client quickly accepted the offer, as the DA had softened the offer in consideration of her situation, but had not yet researched the criminal background of our client from New Jersey. Our client felt she had received about the best deal she could, considering her predicament.
Had the District Attorney discovered the other DUI, our client faced a maximum of one year in jail. With the deal accepted, she entirely avoided jail.
If you or a family member have been charged with a DUI (Vehicle Code (VC) § 23152(a)), or Vehicle Code (VC) § 23152(b)) call our office today. One of our attorneys will speak with you immediately and will fight vigorously for you.
Don't risk losing your employment or your reputation. Call us today at (310) 782-2500 for your free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.
When payment is an issue, we have very competitive flat fee rates to represent you or your family member. In special circumstances, we will also consider payment plans where payments are spread out over time. We also accept all major credit cards.