Many drivers are likely aware of electronic monitoring thanks to celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, who was actually busted for driving under the influence while wearing a monitoring device. The truth is that the DUI sentencing alternative is not just for celebrities. In fact, it is one of the best ways for drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence to avoid jail time. How Does It Work? Electronic monitoring involves having the DUI offender wear an ankle or wrist bracelet that electronically monitors the individual's whereabouts while under some form of house arrest. The device sends a signal to a computer either at the probation office or to a monitoring contractor. The signal indicates whether or not the DUI offender is in compliance with the terms of the probation. Some electronic monitoring alternatives require DUI offenders to respond to periodic phone calls in order to insure that they are in compliance with the house arrest. Other alternatives sometimes involve the use of global positioning systems (GPS) that monitor and record whether or not the individual stays within permitted areas. Generally, DUI offenders are allowed to continue to go to work, attend school, go grocery shopping, attend court-order alcohol programs, etc., typically during the day, with the requirement that they are at home during the evening when most drunk-driving arrests occur. If DUI defendants deviate from these specific restrictions, then it is a violation of the terms of their probation, and they will likely have to serve jail time. Who Is Eligible? This option is generally offered as a condition of probation and allows those convicted of a drunk driving offense to avoid jail by limiting when and where they can go. Since only certain drunk-driving offenders are eligible for this alternative, it is imperative to consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney who will explore all of the sentencing alternatives that may be available in a specific case. Further information about California DUI laws can be found at the California DUI Guide website. Drivers facing a California DUI arrest are also encouraged to contact experienced DUI defense attorney Thomas Wallin for a free consultation.

Whenever you hear or read about a California DUI arrest or a DUI sobriety checkpoint, the phrase "field sobriety test" is often included. But what is a field sobriety test exactly? Our Orange County DUI Attorney want you to know what these tests involve, how they affect you and how hiring a reputable attorney can benefit you in your specific DUI case. What is a Orange County DUI Field Sobriety Test? A field sobriety test, or FST as it is often called, is a system of determining whether a motorist is under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. These tests have been developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and are often administered by an arresting officer either during a routine traffic stop or during a DUI sobriety checkpoint. Field sobriety tests are designed to test the subject's ability to perform simple mental and physical multitasking skills. What different types of field sobriety tests are there? There are several different types of driving under the influence FSTs that an officer may as a motorist he suspects has been driving under the influence. The most common test often depicted in movies is the "walk-and-turn"; this test measures an individual's ability to follow directions and walk in a straight line. Other types include the "horizontal gaze nystagmust test" (where you are asked to follow an object with your eyes only), the "alphabet test" (where you may be asked to recite part of the alphabet) or even a counting test (where you must count backwards from a certain number, either odds or evens or any other combination) just to name a few. How do FSTs affect you? Although most arresting officers claim to be trained in administering DUI field sobriety test, most tests and results are based heavily on the officer's own opinion. Because of this, even if you believe you have passed the field sobriety test, an officer might arrest you due to the fact that they suspect you are under the influence. On top of this, being asked to perform a field sobriety test in Orange County can be nerve-wracking in of itself even if you haven't been drinking. The way you may react to being put on the spot may result in an officer believing you have been driving drunk and you could be arrested. How can a DUI attorneys can help? Our Orange County DUI Lawyers have all been trained in administering DUI field sobriety test, know the guidelines that are associated with the way they should be administered and are ready to subpoena and question your arresting officer. Our attorneys are devoted to getting you the best possible results in your specific DUI case, whether this is your first time Orange County DUI offense or you are being charged with a felony DUI in Orange County. Fill out our free Orange County DUI evaluation form today to have a dedicated attorney contact you directly to discuss the details of your case!

A Yucca Valley woman was arrested on California driving under the influence charges for the fourth time in 10 years this month, after an officer followed the sound of a honking horn.

California Highway Patrol Officer Caleb Miller was just finishing a traffic stop when he heard a vehicle horn blowing at inconsistent intervals and for long periods of time, according to the Hi Desert Star. He followed the sound of the horn until he eventually found the vehicle.

Miller saw a man in front of the house and asked if everything was ok. The man pointed at a woman sitting in the cab of the truck and said she had been drinking.

Upon speaking with the woman, "Officer Miller observed signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication and upon further investigation, learned Ms. Turinsky had driven the truck to the residence on Avenida La Manana while under the influence of alcohol," CHP spokesman Eric Brewer stated.

Turinsky was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent or more. She was ultimately charged with felony DUI because she has three prior DUI convictions within 10 years, Brewer said.

A second (or third, or fourth) California DUI arrest can lead to serious penalties. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced California DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.

There are several DUI sobriety checkpoints that will be occurring throughout the weekend. Our Orange County DUI Defense Lawyers want you to be aware of the checkpoints but also want you to know that not all arresting officers post information about an upcoming checkpoint.

If you happen to be arrested during a DUI sobriety checkpoint, contact our Orange County DUI Attorneys as soon as possible. You have only 10 days to contact the DMV to request a hearing on the automatic suspension of your license; if you retain our lawyers, we will request the hearing on your behalf and represent you in court.

Friday:

Anaheim: 8pm-3am -DUI roving patrol
Irvine: 8pm-3am -DUI roving patrol
Lake Elsinore: evening - undisclosed location
Los Angeles: 8pm-2am - -Figueroa Street & 9th Street in Central Area -Manchester Avenue &Broadway in Southeast Area -Sunset Boulevard & Hoover Street in Northeast Area
Lower Lake: 6pm-2am - near Highways 53 & 29
Newport Beach: 8pm-3am - DUI roving patrol throughout the city
Poway: 7pm - early morning - undisclosed location
San Diego: 9pm-4am - undisclosed location
San Bernardino: 6pm - early morning - 500 block of W. 40th Street
San Bernardino County: 6pm-2am - undisclosed locations within the cities of Hesperia, Redlands, San Bernardino, Cal State University of San Bernardino, Upland, Barstow and Chino Hills
Santa Ana: evening - undisclosed location
Santa Barbara: evening - undisclosed location
Santa Monica: evening - undisclosed location
Stanislaus County: evening - within the cities of Modesto & Turlock
Temecula: 9pm - early morning - undisclosed location
Ventura: 8pm-3am - undisclosed location
Visalia: evening - undisclosed location

Saturday:

Adelanto: 6pm - 2am - undisclosed location - saturation patrol
Anaheim: 8pm-3am - DUI roving patrol
Buena Park: 8pm-3am - DUI roving patrol
Garden Grove: 8pm-3am - DUI roving patrol
Goleta: 8pm-3am - undisclosed location
Indian Wells: 8pm-2am - city limits
Livermore: evening - undisclosed location
Los Angeles: 6pm-2am - West Los Angeles area
Santee: 7pm - early morning - undisclosed location
Upland: 6pm - 2am - undisclosed location - saturation patrol

Sunday:

Redlands: 6pm-2am - city of Redlands - saturation patrol
Santa Barbara: 6pm-2am - undisclosed location

While crashes are encouraged in a demolition derby, driving under the influence is generally not.

According to NBC Washington, a 36-year-old Kentuckian man was arrested for driving drunk in a demolition derby, just minutes after he won.

David Warner was competing in the Jessamine County Fair's derby, when police officers received several complaints about his driving. Shortly after the event, Nicholasville police detained him and determined he was drunk.

According to officers, he was "staggering" and having trouble standing up. Upon failing a field sobriety test, he was arrested for DUI.

Warner told NEWSFIRST he was plenty sober, at least sober enough for a demolition derby. He did admit having a "a few beers to loosen me up."

"I mean, I'm not denying I wasn't drinking by no means, but I was not drunk. I was under the limit," Warner said. "I'm not perfect, but this has gone too far, and I will fight it," he said.

A California DUI arrest can dramatically impact your life. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced California DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.

Discovering that a friend or family member has been arrested for driving under the influence in California can be a stressful experience for everyone involved. Not surprisingly, most people don't know what to do or who to call.

Individuals who have been arrested for a California DUI are first taken for initial processing to the police station where the arrest occurred. If you are unsure where your loved one was arrested, you can check with VINELink, which provides information on offenders in custody. You can either use the Internet to search for information regarding the individual's custody status or call the local agency.

If you are unable to locate the individual you are looking for on VINELink, then you should check with local police agencies. Ask for the watch commander and he or she will be able to advise you if the person is in their custody. Be prepared to provide the individual's full name and date of birth.

Following a California DUI arrest, some individuals are released on their own recognizance (OR) after promising in writing that they will appear in court. Many DUI offenders, however, are not released from police custody until they have posted bail. In this case, you can post the bail amount yourself, or you can obtain a bail bond from a licensed bail bond agent. For more information on bail, please read our previous blog post available here.

If you have not yet done so, it is imperative to contact an experienced California DUI defense attorney who can help your friend or family member navigate the court process and secure the best possible outcome.

Teairra Mari, a known R&B singer was arrested after she caused a DUI-related accident in Beverly Hills.

The 23-year-old singer was driving her silver Infinity early Friday morning when she rear ended another vehicle. According to The Boom Box, once officers arrived at the scene of the accident, Mari became combative, resisted the officers and even gave one a minor cut. The singer was then arrested and booked for driving under the influence but was later released on a $50,000 bail bond.

Contact our Orange County DUI Defense Attorneys if you have recently been arrested for driving under the influence in California. Our lawyers are experienced in handling all types of DUI cases and will be more than happy to provide you with legal advice as well as answer any questions and investigate your case.

A 35-year-old Lake Elsinore man has been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs after he attempted to flee from a checkpoint over the weekend.

Bryan Young was seen making a U-turn to avoid a DUI checkpoint that was set up in Lake Elsinore. When officers approached Young, they noticed he exhibited signs of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs and admitted to officers that he was in possession of marijuana. Young was then escorted out of his vehicle and began to run from officers before they were able to stop him with a taser gun.

According to the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch, Young was a convicted felon serving probation for domestic violence and was arrested and charged with resisting an officer, being a felon in possession of a fire arm, driving under the influence of drugs, carrying a loaded firearm and probation violation.

Contact our Orange County DUI Lawyers immediately if you were recently arrested at a DUI sobriety checkpoint. We have the experience and knowledge to handle your case and will ensure that you get the best possible representation.

If you plan on going out this weekend, please be aware of the multiple DUI sobriety checkpoints that will be occurring all throughout California. Our Orange County DUI Attorneys have compiled the list below so that you are aware of the times and potential locations of these checkpoints; although most checkpoints are announced prior to their commencement, it is not uncommon for a check point to occur minutes after its time and location has been published.

If you are arrested for driving under the influence at a DUI checkpoint, contact our Orange County DUI Lawyers as soon as possible so we can get you the best possible representation.

Friday:

Canyon Lake: 7pm-early morning - undisclosed location
Coachella: 7pm-1:30am - undisclosed location
Cypress: 6pm-early morning - undisclosed location
Dana Point: 8pm-4am - undisclosed location
Lompoc: 6pm - early morning - undisclosed location
Los Angeles County: weekend - multiple cities throughout Los Angeles County - click on link for more!
Montclair: 7pm-2am - undisclosed location
Murrieta: 6pm - early morning - undisclosed location
Orange: 8pm-2am - 1800 West Chapman Ave.
Oxnard: 6pm-2am - undisclosed location
Rancho Cordova: 8pm-2am - undisclosed location
Rancho Mirage: 8pm- 2am - undisclosed location
Redondo Beach: 7:32am - early morning - undisclosed location
Salinas: evening - undisclosed location
San Bernardino County: evening - multiple cities
San Clemente: 8pm-4am - undisclosed location
San Juan Capistrano: 8pm-4am - undisclosed location
San Marcos: 7:30pm-3am - undisclosed location
Temecula: 6pm - undisclosed location
Victorville: 7pm - early morning - undisclosed location
Vista: 7pm - early morning - undisclosed location

Saturday:

Chula Vista: 6pm - early morning - undisclosed location
Lompoc: 6pm - early morning - undisclosed location
Redlands: 10pm-3am - Alabama St. between Orange Ave. & Barton Rd.
Sacramento: evening - undisclosed location
Tustin: 7pm-3am - undisclosed location
Visalia: evening - undisclosed location

Most California drivers are aware that it is illegal to drink alcohol while driving, but do you know that it is also against the law to allow your passengers to have open containers of alcohol?

Below is the California law (California VC 23223) regarding open containers of alcohol:

1. No driver shall have in his or her possession, while in a motor vehicle upon a highway or on lands, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 23220, any bottle, can, or other receptacle, containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.
2. No passenger shall have in his or her possession, while in a motor vehicle upon a highway or on lands, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 23220, any bottle, can, or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.

The good news is that open container violations are generally only an infraction and will not result in jail time.

For those under 21, however, the law is much more severe. Under California's zero tolerance law, having an open container will result in a one-year license suspension.

Given the potential consequences, if you are facing any type of DUI charge, it is important to contact an experienced California DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.

A nine-year-old Phillies baseball fan is fighting for his life after being struck by a drunk driver in San Diego following a Giants/Phillies baseball game.

According to media reports, Ryan White and his aunt were struck by a passing 2004 Toyota Tundra pickup truck at the intersection of Mission Street and New Montgomery Street.

"We were crossing with the light," Ryan's father told KRON-TV. "A car came screeching out of the street, hit one car, careened over into the second car, and that was where my son was."

Ryan was sent to a hospital and was being treated for life-threatening injuries. Ryan's aunt suffered a non-life-threatening foot injury.

The driver, Andrew Alan Vargas, a 21-year-old Cal State East Bay graduate, didn't stop and continued to drive after the DUI accident, according to police. However, he was caught a short time later.

He is accused of felony hit-and-run, driving under the influence (DUI), and driving with an open container.

As this story demonstrates, a California DUI accident can lead to serious charges. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced California DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.

If you plan on going out this weekend, please be advised that there will be multiple DUI sobriety checkpoints in California. Our Orange County DUI Lawyers are here to provide you with the legal advice so that you can make an informed decision in your specific case. If you are about to go through a DUI checkpoint, please stay calm and know that if an officer notices signs of intoxication, they may require you to perform DUI field sobriety tests. Contact our Orange County DUI Attorneys as soon as you are released from your arrest so that you get the best representation.

Friday:
Chula Vista: 8pm-2am - undisclosed location
Escondido: weekend - undisclosed locations
Gardena: 7:30pm - 3:30am - El Segundo Blvd. at Halldale Avenue.
Los Angeles: 8pm-2am - Washington Blvd. between Abbot Kinney Blvd. & Lincoln Blvd.
Los Angeles: 7:30pm-2:30 - Highland Ave. & DeLongpre St.
Los Angeles: 6pm-1am - Westbound Imperial Hwy between Main St. & San Pedro St.
Newport Beach: 9pm-3am - Dover Drive & 16th Street
Santa Monica: evening - undisclosed location

Saturday:

Long Beach: 6pm-2am - North Long Beach
Los Angeles: 8pm-2am - Sunset Blvd. between Maltman Ave. & Silver Lake Blvd.
Rancho Mirage: 8pm-2am - undisclosed location
San Jose: 9pm-3am - undisclosed location

Deputy Michael Anthony Grundy, a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, has been charged with two felony drunk driving counts and one felony count of fleeing the scene after a collision, arising from an accident on January 29, 2011.

California DUIs are often classified as felonies when another person is injured or killed following a DUI-related accident.

According to California Highway Patrol, Grundy's blood alcohol level was over 0.15% when he was arrested.

Last week, Grundy plead not guilty today to the charges, which could result in serious DUI penalties, including three years and eight months in jail if convicted.

Grundy is facing serious jail time because it is not the officer's first drunk driving offense. According to his record, he has a past California DUI conviction in Riverside County dating back to 2005.

As we have mentioned previously on this blog, drivers charged with felony DUI face serious consequences. While misdemeanor California DUIs can result in up to one year in a county jail, felony California DUIs can result in a year or more in a state prison.

In addition, all of the fines and penalties associated with a California DUI are increased for a second offense within 10 years.

If you have been charged with a felony California or a second California DUI offense, it is imperative to consult with an experienced California DUI defense attorney.

Mark Sheldon, of West Michigan, was arrested for driving under the influence last week and a dash cam video of his arrest proves that the Chief of Police was in fact driving drunk.

Sheldon was driving his pickup truck when he crossed the center line; officers nearby saw what had occurred and proceeded to pull Sheldon over. Officers noticed signs of intoxication and when they questioned the driver, he admitted to having "quite a few" drinks. After failed DUI sobriety tests and a breathalyzer test that showed his blood alcohol levels of 0.20, Sheldon was arrested and has since been suspended from his Chief of Police duties. According the WWMT.com, Sheldon will be charged under the new 'super drunk' law for first time offenders who are at a blood alcohol level over 0.17.

Contact our Orange County DUI Defense Attorneys today if you have recently been arrested for driving under the influence in or around Orange County. We will investigate the case and provide you with the best possible representation available!

A California man is claiming that a "dirty" DUI arrest should not be held against him in his ongoing divorce proceedings. David Dutcher faces reduced visitation with his children based on a California DUI charge that he claims came after his ex-wife paid a blonde woman to trick him into driving under the influence.

As detailed by the Contra Costa Times, Dutcher was arrested and pulled over for drunken driving in 2008 shortly after a second date with a woman he had met on Match.com. According to Dutcher, during the date, the woman started chugging shots of hard alcohol and kissing him on the lips. A friend later joined her, and the two women asked him to come home with them and "continue things in the hot tub."

Shortly after leaving the bar, Dutcher was stopped by police. Chemical testing revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.12, and he was subsequently charged with driving under the influence.

His California DUI arrest is now considered one of five "dirty DUIs" tied to Concord private investigator Christopher Butler, and a larger police corruption scandal. (For more information, check out our previous blog post.)

As a result, Dutcher now claims that his ex-wife and her former attorney orchestrated his arrest to gain advantage in the divorce and keep him from his children.

Meanwhile, Susan Dutcher and her attorney maintain that her ex-husband's arrest did not affect the divorce and child custody arrangement. They also point out that no one forced him to drink and drive. Susan Dutcher acknowledges she hired Butler, who was in the restaurant observing Dave Dutcher that night, but told the court she went to Butler only because she was worried that her husband may be driving impaired when transporting their children.

As this story demonstrates, a California DUI arrest can dramatically impact your life. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced California DUI defense attorney as soon as possible.

Contact our Orange County DUI Lawyers if you are arrested during a DUI sobriety checkpoint. Going through a DUI checkpoint can be stressful even if you haven't been drinking, so it is important to stay calm and follow the officer's instruction if he believes that you are driving under the influence. Once you are released from a DUI arrest, contact our OC DUI Defense Attorneys as soon as possible so you can receive the best representation.

Friday:

Chino: 8pm-early morning - undisclosed location
Hemet: 8pm-2am - undisclosed location
Lake Elsinore: evening - undisclosed location
Lemon Grove: 7pm-2am - 6900 block of Broadway
Lompoc: 6pm-early morning - undisclosed location
Studio City: 8pm-2am - Ventura Blvd. between Eureka Dr & Fruitland Drive
Modesto: 9pm-2am - undisclosed locations
Oakland: 6pm-2am - undisclosed location
Sacramento: 7:30pm-early morning - Amherst St. & Meadowview Rd.
San Marcos: 7pm-3am - undisclosed location
Santa Maria: 6pm-1am - undisclosed location

Saturday:

Lodi: 6:30pm-2:30am - undisclosed location
Modesto: 10pm-3am - city wide roving DUI saturation patrol
Perris: 6pm-2am - undisclosed location
Santa Barbara: 9:15pm-3:15am - undisclosed location

The California Office of Traffic Safety recently announced that it has received $76 million in federal funding to support 213 traffic safety grants to state and local agencies for the grant year that begins October 1, 2011.

As in years past, many of these grants will be used to target drunk drivers through the use of sobriety checkpoints and other enforcement tools. New this year is the focus on drugged driving.

According the OTS, major emphasis will still be given to combating drunk driving with sobriety checkpoints, help for special DUI prosecutors, and targeted probation department staffing and warrant enforcement in efforts directed at the most egregious drunk driving offenders.

In addition, educational and awareness programs for youth like Every 15 Minutes, Impact Teen Drivers, Real DUI Trials in Schools, Smart Start, and other programs for high school students will be expanded.

In a new enforcement campaign, special emphasis will be placed on combating drugged driving. As the OTS highlighted, the incidence of drugs alone and in combination with alcohol in fatal crashes has been rising steadily for the last five years. Therefore, new grants will fund increases in drug recognition training, special district attorneys dedicated to drugged driving cases, and new laboratory drug testing equipment.

For a list of 2012 grants, visit the OTS website at www.ots.ca.gov.

If you have been arrested for drugged driving in California, you will need an experienced DUI defense attorney. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you to get the best possible outcome in your case.

Like most other states, California has an "implied consent" law that requires drivers to submit to chemical testing and/or perform field sobriety tests if a law enforcement officer suspects they are driving impaired.

Many California drivers aren't aware that when you apply for a driver's license in California you actually agree to this in exchange for your right to drive on California's roadways.

So how does "implied consent" work? As we have noted on this blog in the past, there is no penalty for refusing to submit to a Breathalyzer before being placed under arrest. Preliminary Alcohol Screening, which is generally conducted on the roadside prior to an arrest, does not fall under California's implied consent laws, but rather is a voluntary test. This, however, does not apply to underage drivers, where special rules apply.

A California driver can still refuse to submit to a breath test after being arrested, but he or she risks automatic license suspension along with possible additional DUI penalties including required installation of an ignition interlock device or jail time.

If you have refused a chemical test after being arrested for driving under the influence in California, you will need an experienced California DUI defense attorney. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you to get the best possible outcome in your case.

Julie Pacino, the daughter of actor Al Pacino, was arrested after she drove through a DUI sobriety checkpoint.

The 21-year-old was driving in Manhattan when she went through a DUI checkpoint. According to the Newser, officers stopped her vehicle when they noticed that her eyes were watery and bloodshot, her speech was slurred and they could smell alcohols which are all signs of intoxication. Pacino then confessed to officers that she had had a few beers and smoked pot hours before getting into her vehicle and was then arrested for driving under the influence.

Our Orange County DUI Lawyers understand how frustrating it can be to go through a DUI checkpoint. If you find yourself arrested during a checkpoint, contact our OC DUI Attorneys as soon as possible to find out how we can help you!