Results tagged “dui arrests” from DUI Lawyers & Attorneys News

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a measure that requires those convicted of DUI to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles.

When an ignition interlock device is installed in a vehicle, the driver is required to blow into the device before the car will start.  If the driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above .08 percent (the legal limit in California), the vehicle will not start.

The measure will be tested on DUI offenders in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare Counties before it becomes effective statewide.  The installation of the devices will be paid by the offenders, not the tax payers.

The author of the bill, Assembly member Mike Feuer (D - Los Angeles), feels strongly that the project will save hundreds of lives. Statistics have shown that repeat DUI offenses have decreased by as much as 70% in some states that require first-time DUI offenders to install a device in their vehicle.  

In 2007 alone, there were nearly 204,000 DUI arrests made in California, which averages out to 558 DUI arrests every day.  Of the 204,000 arrests, 45,149 were repeat offenders.  These drivers caused more than 53,000 traffic accidents, resulting in the death of 1,501 people.

The project takes effect on July 1, 2010 and will last until January 1, 2016. The California Department of Motor Vehicles plans to report the effectiveness of the project to the state legislature by July 1, 2015, which will then decide whether or not to expand the law to all counties.

To learn more about similar laws in your state, please click here to contact a DUI attorney near you.

In the state of Wyoming, state Highway Patrol is reporting that since 2005, the number of DUI arrests has increased significantly throughout the state.

In 2005, the law enforcement in the state only made 1,000 DUI arrests.  However, in 2008, the Highway Patrol made over 1,400 arrests, which means that DUI arrests have increased by 42%.

Additionally, police in Cheyenne report that they arrested 449 people on suspicion of driving under the influence in 2008, which is a 46% increase from 2007.  Police Chief Bob Fecht alleges that the increase in arrests is due to the fact that Cheyenne has increased the number of on duty officers on Friday and Saturday nights. 

There are numerous reasons why the Wyoming's DUI arrest statistic has increased.  However, patrol spokesman, Steve Townsend, claims that the increase in DUI arrests has resulted from the state's growing population.
 
If you have been arrested for DUI in Wyoming, click here to locate a DUI defense lawyer!

This past Saturday night, coordinated patrols throughout Contra Costa County were able to issue 23 driving under the influence (DUI) citations.  During the holiday season, police departments throughout the state of California have increased DUI checkpoints in an attempt to reduce DUI fatalities and car accidents.

Law enforcement agencies are reporting that troops in Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood and Contra Costa stopped approximately 97 cars on Sunday between the hours of 8 PM and 2 AM.  Police used roving two person patrols through the duration of the evening into the early morning hours.

Police also report that they conducted 13 field sobriety tests (FST) during their operation.  So far, they believe that increased checkpoints and continued their continued vigilance has led to a decrease in incidents of drunk driving and DUI accidents throughout the holiday season.

California police departments hope to raise awareness of the dangers associated with driving under the influence and they say that numerous police agencies are running similar patrols with the same mission.

If you have been arrested for DUI in California, click here to find an experienced DUI defense attorney near you!

Law enforcement in the state of Arizona are reporting that 159 DUI (driving under the influence) arrests were made over the course of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

During the three day period, which lasted from Friday to Sunday, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Officers made over one hundred arrests.

According to reports, 17 drivers were arrested for aggravated DUI and 33 drivers were arrested for extreme DUI.  When a person is arrested for extreme DUI, he/she must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .150% or higher.  And, when a person is arrested for aggravated DUI, he/she must have at least two prior DUI convictions in Arizona or another state within 60 months of his/her last DUI arrest.  

Police also report that 14 drivers were arrested for underage DUI and 18 drivers had prior DUI convictions when they were arrested.  The DPS said that the average BAC for those drivers who were arrested over the course of the holiday was .145%.  They also report that a fatal DUI accident occurred this year.

However, some improvements were made, as DPS worked on 7 fatal DUI accidents during the same time last year.

If you were arrested for DUI in Arizona, click here to find a skilled DUI defense attorney.