California DUI’s Are On The Rise

NEWS & COMMENTARY FROM A CONCERNED SANTA ANA DUI ATTORNEY

DUIs Are On The Rise

There is a serious DUI epidemic that is occurring in California. According to Insurance.com, three cities in California (San Diego, Los Angeles, & San Francisco) rank among the top five in the nation for having the highest number of DUIs. Below is a list of the top five cities with DUI citations from November 1st, 2010, to October 31, 2011.

1. San Diego
2. Los Angeles
3. Indianapolis
4. Jacksonville, Fla.
5. San Francisco

It’s More Than High Car Insurance Rates When You Get A DUI

Jail time and high fines are common punishments for a DUI offense. Some states impose harsh penalties for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). In California, if you are charged and arrested while being over the 0.08 blood alcohol limit, your license may be suspended for six months. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device that prevents you from starting your vehicle if you blood alcohol is above a certain level.

Orange County DUIs in 2011

According to the CaliforniaAvoid.org website, there were:

• 201 DUI arrests and one fatality in Orange County during Memorial Day Weekend from Friday, May 27^th, 2011 to Monday, May 30^th, 2011.
• 211 DUI arrests and no fatalities in Orange County during 4^th of July Weekend from Friday July 1^st to Monday, July 4^th.
• 856 DUI arrests and two fatalities in Orange County from Friday, August 19, 2011 to Monday, September 5^th (Labor Day), 2011.
• 836 DUI arrests and no fatalities in Orange County from Friday, December 16^th, 2011 to Sunday, January 1^st, 2012.

When Do Most DUI Arrests Take Place?

When we take a careful look at DUI arrests for Orange County in 2011, you will notice a common trend in that most DUI’s take place on the weekends during the night time. It’s quite obvious that these are the times when we need to be using designated drivers and all of the resources in our possession to help prevent loved ones or friends from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while being intoxicated.  It’s important to remember that these are not just statistics, these are innocent lives that are at risk when you or someone you know drinks and drives. Parents, Educators, Local Government, and Law Enforcement entities need to be united and organized with a game plan to combat the rise of DUI’s in our cities and county.

Government Officials and Educational Leaders in our local school systems are considering stronger DUI education at the Jr. High and High School level so that teenagers understand the huge risks they take by drinking at parties; Adolescents must comprehend the serious consequences of driving while intoxicated that may result in:

• Property damages
• Physical harm
• Serious injuries
• What we fear most, a possible fatality.

If you or a loved one is battling with alcoholism, seek help before its too late. Visit the HelpGuide.org website for Alcohol Addiction Treatment support to get started.

What Can I Do If I Am Charged with a DUI?

If you or a loved one have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in California, contact the experienced defense attorneys at The Gonzalez Law Firm at 877.345.2997 for a FREE initial consultation. Attorney Gonzalez is a qualified and top DUI lawyer in Orange County who will fight aggressively to help reduce your charges or jail time. He will explain the process of how he will handle specific charges brought against you and present viable solutions for defending your case.

A DUI charge in California is considered to be a criminal offense so its critical that you hire a trustworthy Orange County DUI defense lawyer like David Gonzalez who will provide you with the best representation possible in a time of personal trial.