Santa Ana Woman Injured in DUI Crash

A 65 year-old Santa Ana woman was rear-ended and injured in a traffic crash on May 1, 2013. The driver, a retired professional surfer who is one of the founders of Gotcha surfwear, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was also charged with cocaine possession in the incident, which occurred in Laguna Beach, a wealthy beach community. The driver was released on a $100,000 bail. He was charged with two DUI felony counts, possession of a controlled substance, and a misdemeanor for being under the influence of drugs. He has an earlier DUI conviction from 2012.

As of January 1, 2012, judges in repeat offender DUI cases in California have the option of revoking a driver's license for 10 years after a third or subsequent conviction within a 10-year period. According to the new law, judges must look at six factors in making their determination. These include the convicted person's blood alcohol concentration in the incident, his or her level of remorse regarding the incident, how long it has been since his or her previous conviction, whether or not the person has taken part in or completed an alcohol treatment program, the person's risk to others on the road, and whether or not the person is able to install an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle. Drivers who wind up with a 10-year license revocation may apply for a reinstatement after five years have elapsed if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

Criminal and DUI Defense in Orange County, California

A DUI arrest and conviction is a very serious matter in California. The legal repercussions of a conviction can be severe, especially in cases where an injury or death has been caused or where the driver is a repeat offender, as in the story above. Anyone facing such charges should immediately retain the services of an attorney who is experienced in handling such cases. DUI defense is a complex area of law, involving science, medical considerations, legal factors, and more. Many lawyers do not have the knowledge, training, or experience in this field that is required to be effective.

For clients in and around Santa Ana, the criminal defense firm of Thomas Tears, Attorney at Law provides highly-experienced legal representation. Mr. Tears has over 30 years of practical experience defending clients in DUI cases as well as other criminal charges, from drug crimes to domestic violence, theft, sex crimes, white collar crimes, and more. The firm has worked with thousands of persons in the area who have been arrested and charged. He and his legal team have the knowledge, litigation skills, and trial experience needed to help you achieve the best outcome. Contact the firm 24 / 7 for a free case consultation to learn more.