"Court Case Friday" “Drunk Driving” (DUI) cases are some of the most tragic. They are also some of the most entertaining. Field Sobriety Tests In the “old days,” reciting the alphabet was a standard field sobriety test (FST). This FST tested mental impairment. Mental impairment occurs before observable physical impairment. Years ago, the National Highway … Continue reading DUI Drivers Versus the Alphabet
"Court Case Friday" “Drunk driving” (DUI) cases are some of the most tragic. They are also some of the most entertaining. I had a unique DUI case involving an 85-year-old woman with a very high blood alcohol level. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer spotted her weaving in the fast lane on the I-5 Freeway … Continue reading Drunk Driver: Golf Cart on the Freeway
"Court Case Friday" Most of the time, police “catch” the “drunk drivers.”* Sometimes, the cops are minding their own business and the “drunk drivers” “catch” them. Drunk Driver Crashes into Police Donut Shop I had a case where two CHP officers were sitting by the window inside a donut shop having a coffee break. It … Continue reading 4 Drunk Drivers Who “Caught” the Police
One of my first assignments in the OC DA's Office was in the courtroom of Judge Ragnar Engebretsen. Judge Engebretsen was a faithful member of the LDS Church, and a senior high councilor in his stake at the time. We had completed our work for the day, and I was gathering my case files when … Continue reading Young LDS Drunk Driver
"Court Case Friday" As a young prosecutor, I put on a felony preliminary hearing in a horrific DUI death case. The defendant was driving eastbound on Westminster Blvd. in Orange County. He was going very fast. He was also under the influence. He had a high level of alcohol in his blood. The defendant approached … Continue reading My Civilian Witness Surprisingly Turned Out to be an Expert
Marijuana and Driving Ever since marijuana became legal in California, the number of people driving under the influence of marijuana has skyrocketed. This was an unintended, but obvious, consequence of legalization. Marijuana plants contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a psychoactive drug that gives a “high.” Like alcohol, THC is a central nervous system suppressant/depressant. Like alcohol, THC … Continue reading Entertaining DUI Marijuana Cases
When I was a rookie deputy district attorney (D.A.) one of my colleagues quickly grabbed a case file and rushed off to court for his first jury trial. He wanted to make a good impression. The judge explained that the defendant waived his right to an attorney and insisted on exercising his constitutional right to … Continue reading The D.A.’s Disastrous Embarrassing False Start with a Jury
DUI cases are among the most tragic. They are also among the most entertaining. DUI Driver Pulls Cop Over Late one night, a young driver waved for a patrol car to pull over. The officer approached the young man’s car. “Officer, I’ve just come from a party where I was drinking. Could you test me to see … Continue reading More Entertaining DUI Cases
"Court Case Friday" DUI cases are among the most tragic and the most entertaining. Drag Racing While Drunk I handled a case in my court where a young man was charged with both driving under the influence (DUI) and engaging in a speed contest (street racing). The case was unique. I had never seen those … Continue reading More Entertaining DUI Cases
(To: Great Oak High School. You are the best!) "Court Case Friday" Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases are very tragic. Tens of thousands of people are killed or maimed every year by drunk drivers. In fact, drunk drivers kill someone "Every 15 Minutes." Yet sometimes DUI cases can be entertaining. Golf Cart on the … Continue reading Entertaining DUI Cases
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