Encino DUI/DWI Attorney Blog | Los Angeles County Drunk Driving Charges Lawyer

Woman’s driver’s license revoked after fatal accident

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Driver's License Suspension or Revocation on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

Medications have been developed for numerous ailments, disorders and conditions. While medications have revolutionized the health field, they can sometimes have detrimental effects. For the most part, everyone has the potential to react differently to different medications. Since it can be hard to tell how you will be affected, it can be incredibly dangerous to perform some activities, like driving, while under the influence of certain medications. In Los Angeles and elsewhere, drivers may be subject to license suspension if they are caught driving under the influence of medication, even if it was prescribed.

A woman in one state recently had her driver’s license revoked following a fatal accident that was allegedly caused by her use of a medication. In addition to the license revocation, she will also serve a jail sentence after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide. Her jail sentence is only 19 months, including time she has already served, but she will not be eligible to apply to have her license reinstated for 10 years.

Refusing a Breathalyzer is not a get out of jail free card

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Breath Test Refusal on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

Many readers in Los Angeles and other cities think that they cannot be arrested for DUI if they refuse to take a Breathalyzer. This is a common, and in some cases, detrimental misunderstanding. When a motorist refuses a breath test, not only can they be arrested, the judge will have to base their ruling primarily on the observations of the arresting officer alone. Few drivers realize, that in addition to being arrested anyway, the act of refusing a Breathalyzer itself can also carry serious consequences, including license suspension or revocation.

Conducting blood alcohol tests sans warrants violates rights

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Blood Alcohol Tests on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

Individual states, such as California and others, all have their own laws and policies. Occasionally, however, questions raised in state courts will make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court rules on a matter, it typically sets precedents for how individual states should handle particular situations in the future.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ruling from a state Supreme Court regarding the need for law enforcement to get a warrant in order to forcibly obtain a blood sample from a suspected drunk driver. There were several key factors that effected the Court's decision, including the implications on a person's constitutional rights if they are forced to submit to a blood test against their will and without a warrant. Under the Fourth Amendment, people are protected from unlawful searches and seizures.

Sportscaster arrested in Santa Monica for alleged drunk driving

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Drunk Driving Charges on Tuesday, April 23, 2013.

Last week, we reported that comedian Kevin Hart had been arrested for allegedly driving drunk. Another well-known name in the media was recently arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Sports fans are likely familiar with Al Michaels. Michaels works for NBC as a football announcer. Police allegedly saw the broadcaster make an illegal U-turn along Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica. Michaels was pulled over and allegedly had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. He was arrested around 10 p.m.

Comedian arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Los Angeles

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Drunk Driving Charges on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.

A drunk driving arrest can lead to serious penalties for some people. Despite the impact a drunk driving conviction can have on a person's personal and professional life, some people can learn from the experience.

Comedian Kevin Hart was recently arrested in Los Angeles for suspected drunk driving. Police claim Hart was traveling 90 mph and nearly ran into a tanker truck. Police say he was unable to perform field sobriety tests.

California man fights to get his driving privileges back

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Driver's License Suspension or Revocation on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

Prosecutors chose not to take legal action against a California man accused of driving drunk because he was trying to get a friend medical attention. Despite that, the man's driving privileges were taken away after a recent DMV hearing.

The alleged drunk driving incident occurred last June around 2:20 a.m. A police officer initiated a traffic stop after claiming that the man was speeding and ran through two stop lights. The driver told the officer that he was trying to get his friend to the hospital so that he could receive medical attention for a kidney ailment.

Son of Hollywood legend arrested for alleged DUI and hit and run

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Blood Alcohol Tests on Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Unfortunately, even people who are part of Hollywood royalty are not immune to drunk driving charges. In Malibu recently, the son of legendary actor Clark Gable was arrested for alleged drunk driving.

The incident happened earlier this week around 3 p.m. In addition to allegedly driving under the influence, police claim the 52-year-old drove into seven vehicles. He was arrested and released from custody around 11:40 p.m.

Could extended drinking hours lead to more drunk driving?

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Drunk Driving Charges on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

There are a lot of people in California and beyond who enjoy grabbing drinks with friends at local bars. Currently, people in California are only allowed to be served drinks until 2 a.m. However, that could soon be changing.

A California state senator thinks the state would benefit by allowing people to be served drinks for an additional two hours. He has proposed legislation that would allow bars in certain cities across the state to serve alcohol until 4 a.m.

DUI charge could lead to driver's license suspension

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Driver's License Suspension or Revocation on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, a first-time drunk driving conviction can cost a person more than $16,000. People may think that just one more drink is okay. However, that cocktail could have a profound effect on a person's life.

People in California who are charged with driving under the influence usually must deal with a variety of issues. They may be forced to install an ignition interlock system in their vehicle and could face increased insurance rates. They could also be forced to spend time behind bars and could have their driver's license taken away.

Authorities cracking down on drunk driving over holiday weekend

On behalf of Mark Daniel Melnick, Attorney at Law posted in Drunk Driving Charges on Friday, March 15, 2013.

This coming weekend, bars and restaurants in Los Angeles and beyond will be pouring a lot of green beer. People who are planning to indulge are being warned that law enforcement officers will be stepping up DUI patrols over the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.

In Los Angeles alone, more than 14,600 people were arrested for drunk driving last year. Thousands of others were likely arrested for drunk driving in other cities across the country.

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