Drinking and driving is a serious problem throughout California. To help eliminate some cases, police and other law enforcement officers set up DUI checkpoints. If you encounter a checkpoint, it’s good to know what you should do and what rights you have. Don’t...
DUI
If you’re drunk, don’t do these things
There are plenty of myths that tell you what you should do when you’re drunk but that could get you into trouble with the law. For example, you probably have heard that you should just sleep off intoxication in your vehicle if you’re drunk, but should you? The answer...
Could a mysterious illness be the cause of your DUI?
Imagine this scenario in which one East Coast man unwittingly found himself: Despite not drinking a drop of alcohol, he displayed all the typical signs of intoxication. He became belligerent, slurred his words and even blacked out and didn’t remember his words or...
If you don’t trust breath tests, can you refuse to take one?
Chemical breath tests are a standard part of many driving under the influence (DUI) arrests. Police officers will usually have someone perform a breath test after a failed field sobriety test. The results of the chemical test may provide the grounds for an arrest and...
What, exactly, makes someone an alcoholic?
Someone with an alcohol use disorder -- the term alcoholic is not as common as it once was -- may be at greater risk of getting a DUI. They frequently use alcohol, so there is the potential for impairment much of the time that they drive. However, many people may...
2 drinking mistakes that increase your risk of a DUI
Most adults who don't have a substance abuse problem can go out for a drink or maybe even two and then drive home safely. However, some people make certain decisions while at a party, restaurant or bar that impact how their bodies process the alcohol that they...
What happens at a California DUI checkpoint?
A DUI checkpoint can seem a little like a trap. While you can appreciate the attempt law enforcement is making to help people get home safely, it can be frustrating to be subjected to questions before there is evidence that you did anything wrong. Over the years,...
California sobriety checkpoints: Basic considerations
So-called “probable cause” is a preliminary threshold that must be met before police officers can mandate interaction with a citizen and subject him or her to a criminal search and seizure, right? If you’re reading this blog post and nodding your head in the...