2 in 10 Doctors Can Be Alcohol or Drug Impaired #DUI #Doctors

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

Consumer Watchdog launched a billboard publicizing a new toll-free hotline, 1-844-DOCS-DUI, calling on the public and physicians to report suspected drug and alcohol abuse by doctors.  A woman harmed by her physician, who found out only later that the doctor had an alcohol abuse problem, called for transparency and reform.

The billboard says: "2 in 10 doctors will be alcohol or drug impaired. Call 1-844-DOCS-DUI to report an impaired doctor."

"The California Medical Board has estimated that 18% of doctors will have a drug or alcohol problem during their careers, yet California has no system to identify doctors who abuse substances. This hotline will give the public a place to report concerns about impaired doctors to protect patients and save lives," said Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog.

Tina Minasian, a Roseville woman mutilated by a doctor's negligence who is still in pain and recovering 11 years later, found out only after her surgery that her doctor had an alcohol abuse problem.  The doctor, Brian West, had a history of DUI arrests, including one while on the way to the hospital to treat a patient, but avoided discipline for years through a now-defunct state program that allowed doctors to conceal abuse problems from their patients.

"I was a victim of a doctor who was addicted to alcohol but was allowed to keep his problem secret and continue practicing. Eleven years later I still suffer from the lingering effects of this surgery with excruciating pain and spitting sutures. If I would have known this information ahead of time, I would never have chosen him and I would have never gotten hurt," said Tina Minasian.

A review of six years of the California Medical Board's physician disciplinary records reveals that one in every eight involved drug or alcohol abuse by a doctor.

For example:

 * Dr. Stacey Hoffmann was first convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in 2008.  In 2010, she was convicted of a second DUI, this time with her two young sons in her car.  During a Medical Board investigation of the drunk driving convictions, Hoffmann admitted that she was prescribing large quantities of Norco, a narcotic combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, to her boyfriend.  In 2011, Hoffmann inflicted third degrees burns on one of her patients while attempting to perform a medical procedure under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  In August 2011, the Medical Board drug tested Hoffmann at her workplace and determined that she had been practicing medicine while impaired by hydrocodone, morphine, methadone and codeine.

 * According to the California Medical Board, in March 2010, Dr. T.J. Maroon, a Sacramento-based anesthesiologist, took a one-week leave of absence after he was observed to be high while administering anesthetics to pre-operative surgery patients.  He was not drug tested, and was allowed to return to work. Two months later, Maroon was again observed administering anesthetics while high on Demerol.  One of Maroon's patients awoke from anesthesia before his surgery had begun. Maroon refused to undergo drug testing.  He later admitted his Demerol use.

 * In 2011 and 2012, staff at Lodi Memorial Hospital were slow to respond to evidence that a physician was inhaling commercial solvents in his office during work hours.  Dr. Peter Hickox's drug use was first noticed by a janitor, who found suspiciously large numbers of discarded vials in Dr. Hickox's trash.  The janitor alerted Hickox's managers on three different occasions over many months before the hospital finally acted to suspend Hickox's privileges in February 2012.

Consumer Watchdog will collect and investigate reports made to the hotline, and work with callers to submit formal complaints to the California Medical Board and the suspected physician's place of employment where appropriate. Again that number is: 1-844-DOCS-DUI  or 1-800-362-7384.

Source....digitaljournal

Stay Safe Out There - If You Need Help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600   
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Just In: #DUI #Fatalities Increase by 5% in California

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

More than 180,000 people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence in 2011.  This bit of information as well as a host of other interesting facts on DUI such as arrests, adjudication, treatment and driver license actions can be found in the 2013 California DUI Management Information System (DUI-MIS) Report located on the DMV website, www.dmv.ca.gov.

“Our DMV Research and Development Branch works diligently to compile DUI data that has led to numerous improvements in DUI laws and how the courts report DUI cases to the DMV,” said DMV Chief Deputy Director Jean Shiomoto.  “This report is highly relied upon by the California  Legislature, courts, district attorneys, probation departments, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) and many other traffic safety organizations and researchers nationwide.”

Male drivers between the ages of 21-30 lead in DUI arrests however; the number of females arrested for DUI has risen each year for over two decades.  Another, disturbing finding is that the average blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16, twice the legal limit.  Alcohol is not the only factor when it comes to DUI, drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past ten years.

History and Objectives of the DUI-MIS Report
The DUI-MIS report, in its 22nd year, is produced in response to legislation that requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to maintain statistical DUI data that would enhance the ability of the Legislature to make informed and timely policy decisions.
The basic theme of the report is to track the processing of DUI offenders from the point of arrest and to identify the frequency offenders flow through each branch of the system – from law enforcement through adjudication to treatment and license control actions.
Another major component of the report is to evaluate the effectiveness of court and administrative sanctions on convicted DUI offenders.
The data are drawn and cross-referenced from sources such as the California Highway Patrol, Department of Justice, Department of Motor Vehicles, and the courts, and it is compiled into a single reference report.

Highlights of the Report
* More than 180,000 people were arrested for DUI in 2011;
* The typical DUI arrestee in 2011 was a 21–30-year-old-male, though the numbers of females arrested for DUI in California have risen each year for over two decades;
* 73.1% of 2010 DUI arrests resulted in convictions, though rates varied by county;
* The main Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16,  twice the legal limit;
* Alcohol-involved crash fatalities increased slightly by 1.6% in 2011 with 1,089 deaths;
* Drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past decade with 709 deaths.
While the total number of alcohol and drug involved crash fatalities combined (1,488 due to overlap) had decreased during the prior five consecutive years, it actually increased by 5.0% in 2011.

Source... http://scvnews.com/2013/09/30/chp-dui-fatalities-increase-by-5-in-2011/

Stay Safe Out There - If You Need Help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600    
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.comNewsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:
Just In: DUI Fatalities Increase by 5% in 2011
More than 180,000 people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence in 2011.  This bit of information as well as a host of other interesting facts on DUI such as arrests, adjudication, treatment and driver license actions can be found in the 2013 California DUI Management Information System (DUI-MIS) Report located on the DMV website, www.dmv.ca.gov.

“Our DMV Research and Development Branch works diligently to compile DUI data that has led to numerous improvements in DUI laws and how the courts report DUI cases to the DMV,” said DMV Chief Deputy Director Jean Shiomoto.  “This report is highly relied upon by the California  Legislature, courts, district attorneys, probation departments, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) and many other traffic safety organizations and researchers nationwide.”

Male drivers between the ages of 21-30 lead in DUI arrests however; the number of females arrested for DUI has risen each year for over two decades.  Another, disturbing finding is that the average blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16, twice the legal limit.  Alcohol is not the only factor when it comes to DUI, drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past ten years.

History and Objectives of the DUI-MIS Report
The DUI-MIS report, in its 22nd year, is produced in response to legislation that requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to maintain statistical DUI data that would enhance the ability of the Legislature to make informed and timely policy decisions.
The basic theme of the report is to track the processing of DUI offenders from the point of arrest and to identify the frequency offenders flow through each branch of the system – from law enforcement through adjudication to treatment and license control actions.
Another major component of the report is to evaluate the effectiveness of court and administrative sanctions on convicted DUI offenders.
The data are drawn and cross-referenced from sources such as the California Highway Patrol, Department of Justice, Department of Motor Vehicles, and the courts, and it is compiled into a single reference report.

Highlights of the Report
* More than 180,000 people were arrested for DUI in 2011;
* The typical DUI arrestee in 2011 was a 21–30-year-old-male, though the numbers of females arrested for DUI in California have risen each year for over two decades;
* 73.1% of 2010 DUI arrests resulted in convictions, though rates varied by county;
* The main Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16,  twice the legal limit;
* Alcohol-involved crash fatalities increased slightly by 1.6% in 2011 with 1,089 deaths;
* Drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past decade with 709 deaths.
While the total number of alcohol and drug involved crash fatalities combined (1,488 due to overlap) had decreased during the prior five consecutive years, it actually increased by 5.0% in 2011.

Source... http://scvnews.com/2013/09/30/chp-dui-fatalities-increase-by-5-in-2011/

Stay Safe Out There - If You Need Help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600    
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.comNewsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:
Just In: DUI Fatalities Increase by 5% in 2011
More than 180,000 people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence in 2011.  This bit of information as well as a host of other interesting facts on DUI such as arrests, adjudication, treatment and driver license actions can be found in the 2013 California DUI Management Information System (DUI-MIS) Report located on the DMV website, www.dmv.ca.gov.

“Our DMV Research and Development Branch works diligently to compile DUI data that has led to numerous improvements in DUI laws and how the courts report DUI cases to the DMV,” said DMV Chief Deputy Director Jean Shiomoto.  “This report is highly relied upon by the California  Legislature, courts, district attorneys, probation departments, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) and many other traffic safety organizations and researchers nationwide.”

Male drivers between the ages of 21-30 lead in DUI arrests however; the number of females arrested for DUI has risen each year for over two decades.  Another, disturbing finding is that the average blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16, twice the legal limit.  Alcohol is not the only factor when it comes to DUI, drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past ten years.

History and Objectives of the DUI-MIS Report
The DUI-MIS report, in its 22nd year, is produced in response to legislation that requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to maintain statistical DUI data that would enhance the ability of the Legislature to make informed and timely policy decisions.
The basic theme of the report is to track the processing of DUI offenders from the point of arrest and to identify the frequency offenders flow through each branch of the system – from law enforcement through adjudication to treatment and license control actions.
Another major component of the report is to evaluate the effectiveness of court and administrative sanctions on convicted DUI offenders.
The data are drawn and cross-referenced from sources such as the California Highway Patrol, Department of Justice, Department of Motor Vehicles, and the courts, and it is compiled into a single reference report.

Highlights of the Report
* More than 180,000 people were arrested for DUI in 2011;
* The typical DUI arrestee in 2011 was a 21–30-year-old-male, though the numbers of females arrested for DUI in California have risen each year for over two decades;
* 73.1% of 2010 DUI arrests resulted in convictions, though rates varied by county;
* The main Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16,  twice the legal limit;
* Alcohol-involved crash fatalities increased slightly by 1.6% in 2011 with 1,089 deaths;
* Drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past decade with 709 deaths.
While the total number of alcohol and drug involved crash fatalities combined (1,488 due to overlap) had decreased during the prior five consecutive years, it actually increased by 5.0% in 2011.

Source... http://scvnews.com/2013/09/30/chp-dui-fatalities-increase-by-5-in-2011/

Stay Safe Out There - If You Need Help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600    
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.comNewsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:
Just In: DUI Fatalities Increase by 5% in 2011
More than 180,000 people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence in 2011.  This bit of information as well as a host of other interesting facts on DUI such as arrests, adjudication, treatment and driver license actions can be found in the 2013 California DUI Management Information System (DUI-MIS) Report located on the DMV website, www.dmv.ca.gov.

“Our DMV Research and Development Branch works diligently to compile DUI data that has led to numerous improvements in DUI laws and how the courts report DUI cases to the DMV,” said DMV Chief Deputy Director Jean Shiomoto.  “This report is highly relied upon by the California  Legislature, courts, district attorneys, probation departments, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) and many other traffic safety organizations and researchers nationwide.”

Male drivers between the ages of 21-30 lead in DUI arrests however; the number of females arrested for DUI has risen each year for over two decades.  Another, disturbing finding is that the average blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16, twice the legal limit.  Alcohol is not the only factor when it comes to DUI, drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past ten years.

History and Objectives of the DUI-MIS Report
The DUI-MIS report, in its 22nd year, is produced in response to legislation that requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to maintain statistical DUI data that would enhance the ability of the Legislature to make informed and timely policy decisions.
The basic theme of the report is to track the processing of DUI offenders from the point of arrest and to identify the frequency offenders flow through each branch of the system – from law enforcement through adjudication to treatment and license control actions.
Another major component of the report is to evaluate the effectiveness of court and administrative sanctions on convicted DUI offenders.
The data are drawn and cross-referenced from sources such as the California Highway Patrol, Department of Justice, Department of Motor Vehicles, and the courts, and it is compiled into a single reference report.

Highlights of the Report
* More than 180,000 people were arrested for DUI in 2011;
* The typical DUI arrestee in 2011 was a 21–30-year-old-male, though the numbers of females arrested for DUI in California have risen each year for over two decades;
* 73.1% of 2010 DUI arrests resulted in convictions, though rates varied by county;
* The main Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of those convicted was .16,  twice the legal limit;
* Alcohol-involved crash fatalities increased slightly by 1.6% in 2011 with 1,089 deaths;
* Drug-involved fatalities have risen by 39.3% during the past decade with 709 deaths.
While the total number of alcohol and drug involved crash fatalities combined (1,488 due to overlap) had decreased during the prior five consecutive years, it actually increased by 5.0% in 2011.

Source... http://scvnews.com

Stay Safe Out There - If You Need Help just Give Me a Call!

To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

http://lawofficesofjonathanfranklin.blogspot.com/

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600    
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Prostitute Rehab Instead of Jail, Houston is Trying it Out

Tricia Chambers began her life heavily dependent on heroin and methadone. From there, she was peddled into child pornography, and by 9 she had a full-fledged career in prostitution, alongside her mother.

Now 42, Chambers is getting what she believes to be her first real chance — in a downtown Houston cellblock.

There, in stark contrast to Chambers and the other orange-clad inmates, is Kathryn Griffin Grinan — a former prostitute who now dons a business suit and heels as she transforms her nonprofit, We've Been There Done That, into a taxpayer-funded program that is teaming up with law enforcement and the court system to reform these women.

"You can be healed from this. You just got to be ready and want to," Griffin said, recalling how she went from being a college student to the lowest of street walkers. "We just prostitutes ... nobody cares about us. Well, because I was there and I felt that same way and I broke it, I knew that I could share it and break it in others."

The program has been so successful that Texas this session passed into law a bill that requires other large cities to create their own.

Adopted at birth, Griffin had a 28-year-old boyfriend at age 14. Two years later, she found herself among the youngest in a Houston college, racing to keep up with the drugs, alcohol and sex. In 1983, she joined funk singer Rick James' drug-infused "Cold Blooded" tour, developing a $30,000-a-month cocaine habit.

When the tour ended and the drugs disappeared, Griffin turned to prostitution — from call girl to mistress and finally to doped-up street hooker — to pay for the habit. After entering and failing nearly two dozen drug rehab programs, Griffin got clean 10 years ago through Houston's drug court. From that she learned what worked, and understood what didn't, and she tailor made a curriculum for prostitutes.

"There are those who have secrets," Griffin explained. "They just hold on to it, and it keeps making them sicker and sicker and sicker and sicker, and I go in and I'm like the Colonix. I go in and go deep and clean it out."

Houston, Dallas and several other Texas cities began changing how they treated prostitutes after the state Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that girls 14 and under could not be prosecuted for prostitution. The ruling has been a game changer, for juveniles and adults.

Dallas and Houston are among the cities nationwide that have set up special courts to deal with child prostitutes by putting them in recovery programs. Many, they found, had been victims of sexual or physical abuse. Some were born to mothers who were drug addicts and prostitutes themselves. Others were sold to a pimp, sometimes in exchange for a box of cigarettes.

In Houston, the court, called GIRLS or Growing Independence and Restoring Lives, was loosely modeled after other specialty courts, such as the drug court that has successfully reformed 80 percent of the nearly 400 people who have graduated since it started in 2003, including Griffin.

In September, Harris County law enforcement focused on adults, teaming with Griffin. Judges began in January sentencing women with numerous misdemeanor prostitution convictions to her program.

Working with a $40,000 a year budget, more than 30 women have been sentenced to the program, and only one or two have relapsed so far, though it is too early to measure success. The program is unique not only because it is court-ordered — unlike other private projects — but also treats the women after their release, sometimes for up to two years.

District Court Judge Maria T. Jackson has sentenced 20 women to the program, working closely with Griffin to monitor their treatment.

"Society has not been addressing the problems of the prostitutes and the women who come in for possession of controlled substance and theft.

Read More... http://news.yahoo.com/houston-tries-prostitute-rehab-instead-jail-075154463.html;_ylt=Avpba8UFZxLAGMFAopwpkOYJVux_;_ylu=X3oDMTJhNGFjbzhwBG1pdANBVFQgMyBTdG9yeSBKdW1ib3Ryb24gSG9tZSBDYWNoZWQEcG9zAzI1BHNlYwNNZWRpYUF0dFdpZGdldHJvbkFzc2VtYmx5;_ylg=X3oDMTFkcW51ZGliBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3BtaA--;_ylv=3

Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600   
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Stay Sober or Stay Off the Road and Out of Trouble - Here's Why!

 The red, white, and blue banners of Memorial Day are here again. If your idea of red, white and blue is red wine, a White Russian, or a Blue Hawaiian, then it's best that you up your caloric intake of burgers and then give a friend your car keys so that you avoid trouble on the road this weekend.

Drinking during this national holiday is a tradition as old as the cookout itself. Many people do not realize when they are over the legal blood alcohol limit. The police know holidays bring increased drinking: that's why they set up more roadblocks and sobriety checkpoints to pull over more drivers. If you get stopped at a California DUI checkpoint, you may not be sure if you will pass a breathalyzer test. The same is true for being pulled over after committing a traffic infraction. In either case, once you are on the side of the road the procedure is basically the same.

Officers will be looking for probable cause to make a California DUI arrest. They typically ask if you had anything to drink. They are concerned with the "Yes" answer: that gives them one more step towards probable cause and your arrest for DUI. You are under no obligation to answer an officer's questions. In fact, if the truth is the wrong answer, it is up to your discretion whether or not to answer the question. In some circumstances, it may be better to refrain.

The next thing that usually happens is a series of field sobriety tests. In California, and in many other states, you are not necessarily obligated to submit to field sobriety tests. These tests have problems. The field sobriety tests, walking in a straight line, reciting the alphabet, and other physical tests are highly subjective. The stress of the moment makes it easier to fail them.

You cannot be forced to submit to a breathalyzer test either. However, outright refusal to perform this test can result in an arrest and penalties, including a mandatory license suspension.

If you are pulled over, one of the first things you want to do is ask why you were pulled over. It is your right to ask that question. Asking this simple question can defuse the situation. The officer's answer to your question may be driving peculiarities, such as swerving, speeding, or weaving between lanes. The officer may not have a lawful reason to make a stop or single you out of the California DUI checkpoint.

Driving safely is your biggest responsibility as a driver. It is always best not to drive if you have had any amount of alcohol. Most people do not know exactly how many drinks put them close to the limit and it is easy to misjudge. If you are pulled over, think twice before answering questions, and very respectfully, ask questions of your own, as well, but in a way that shows you do know your rights.

If the officer does not have probable cause, he cannot make an arrest. Do not give them probable cause by being too forthcoming in your own actions or answers to their questions, or you may find out first-hand what DUI penalties California has put in place. Knowing your rights is vital if you are pulled over for a California DUI stop. Know your rights, and stand up for them.
 
                        Contact Information...    Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin...    310-273-9600

Drug Charges for "Billy the Exterminator"

William "Billy" Bretherton, star of the A&E reality TV show "Billy the Exterminator," has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of possessing synthetic marijuana, his attorney said.

Bretherton was put on probation for a year and prosecutors dropped charges against his wife at a hearing April 19 in Bossier Parish, attorney Allyn Stroud said Tuesday.

He said Bretherton was given a suspended 60-day jail term and fined $500 and that the reality TV star has agreed to undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment. Bretherton's probation requires community service and regular drug and alcohol testing, Stroud said.

When Billy and Mary Bretherton were arrested last year in Bossier Parish, a spokesman for the northwest Louisiana municipality of Bossier City said police answering a 911 hang-up call from a hotel room had found the Brethertons with suspected synthetic marijuana and a device often used to smoke drugs.

That happened in April 2012; police got an arrest warrant in June after tests found synthetic marijuana on the device, Mark Natale said.

They were booked with one count each of possession of synthetic marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both charges against Mary Bretherton and the paraphernalia citation against her husband were dropped.

Read More... http://finance.yahoo.com/news/billy-exterminator-drug-charge-guilty-130904486.html

Alcohol is more harmful than Heroin or Crack when Scoring Drugs

MOST people would agree that some drugs are worse than others: heroin is probably considered to be more dangerous than marijuana, for instance.

Because governments formulate criminal and social policies based upon classifications of harm, a new study published by the Lancet on November 1st makes interesting reading.

Researchers led by Professor David Nutt, a former chief drugs adviser to the British government, asked drug-harm experts to rank 20 drugs (legal and illegal) on 16 measures of harm to the user and to wider society, such as damage to health, drug dependency, economic costs and crime.

Alcohol is the most harmful drug, scoring 72 out of a possible 100, far more damaging than heroin (55) or crack cocaine (54). It is the most harmful to others by a wide margin, and is ranked fourth behind heroin, crack, and methamphetamine (crystal meth) for harm to the individual. The authors point out that the model's weightings, though based on judgment, were analysed and found to be stable as large changes would be needed to change the overall rankings.

Read More... http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2010/11/drugs_cause_most_harm

Have you found yourself in a DUI Checkpoint?

Checkpoints are happening at an alarming rate in many parts of the southern Ca. areas!

Just last night 3,675 Vehicles through one town checkpoint were checked, with 1,912 Drivers checked. The from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Risk Management Bureau’s Traffic Services found:

4 DUI alcohol suspects arrested

1 DUI Combo (alcohol and marijuana) suspect arrested

1 Illegal possesion of narcotics suspect arrested

1 Petty theft/public intoxication suspect arrested

4 vehicles were stored for a day

The goal of the DUI/DL checkpoint was removing impaired drivers and to bring awareness to the public of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

If you find yourself in a DUI contact the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin at (310) 273-9600.
More information here: http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com/dui.html 

Give us a call and we are here to help you!

Hit and Run - Facing Charges - Alcohol - Leaving the Scene of an Accident - WHAT TO DO!

                              Beverly Hills Hit and Run Charges Defense Attorney Jonathan Franklin

Facing Charges on Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Under California state law, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident you are required to stop and exchange information with the other driver. If you inadvertently hit a car in a parking lot and are unable to locate the car’s owner, you are required to leave a note on the car containing your information and file a police report as soon as possible. When people fail to stop or leave a note after hitting another car, they can be charged with hit and run. In cases where no one is injured, hit and run is a misdemeanor offense that could result in fines, driver’s license suspension, even jail. In injury or fatal hit and run accidents, drivers face felony charges that could result in prison, heavy fines, and the suspension of their license if convicted. At the Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin, we conduct our own investigation of a hit and run accident to determine if the prosecution is ignoring important information in a rush to judgment to convict our client.

If you’ve been charged with hit and run, contact Beverly Hills criminal defense attorney Jonathan Franklin today to schedule a free confidential consultation before you talk to the police. We can protect your rights and ensure you aren’t forced into admitting to crime you didn’t commit.

Hit and Run and Alcohol
A number of hit-and-run accidents involve people who have been drinking. In some cases, a driver – whether drunk or not – may leave the scene of an accident in the hope that he or she will have time to “sober up” before being caught or reported to the police. In other instances, a driver who has been drinking may not realize he or she has hit someone. The distinction can be important since it involves a question of intent: did the driver of a vehicle realize he or she had been in an accident and knowingly and intentionally leave the scene?

While you may still be held accountable for hit and run, the charges against you may be reduced if it becomes clear that you did not knowingly leave the scene of an accident because you were worried about being charged with drunk driving. You can bet the prosecutor in your case will check credit card receipts and bar and restaurant tabs to determine if alcohol played a role in your hit-and-run accident. That’s why we work hard to stay ahead of an investigation, preparing a defense against allegations of drunk driving and hit and run.

Intentionally Leaving the Scene of an Accident
If there is little question of your guilt in leaving the scene of an accident, it’s still important to tell the court why you fled the scene. While there is no guarantee the court will reduce your sentence, extenuating circumstances and a clean driving record may convince a judge to reduce the sentence or ultimately dismiss the case against you. For example, did you stop and, after inspecting your car, decide there wasn’t enough damage to justify exchanging information? Did you believe the other driver wasn’t going to stop? Did you have auto insurance that ultimately took care of any damage? Again, while these kinds of reasons may not absolve you of criminal responsibility, they may convince the court to reduce or dismiss the charge against you.

Contact Beverly Hills, California Hit and Run Defense Attorney
A conviction for hit and run can result in jail, fines, and the loss of your license. Additionally, it could increase your insurance rates and result in the loss of your job if your employer refuses to let you take a leave of absence to serve your jail or prison sentence. To schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case, contact Beverly Hills, California, hit and run defense lawyer Jonathan Franklin today.


                                        http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com/hit-and-run-2.html