From an emotional standpoint, a case where someone is accused driving under the influence and killing another person is one of the toughest. With the victim, you usually have someone who did not deserve to die. They are often young, in the prime of their lives. They are usually also close to the driver. The victim is often a spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, or sibling of the accused. Unfortunately, that person is not available to express forgiveness to the driver.
As for the driver, you often have a person who has never been in trouble in his life. He may be college educated, have a great job, and a loving family. But for this horrible incident he would have continued to be an upstanding citizen.
Recently, a San Jose woman pled guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter after hitting and killing a 79 year old grandmother. She is waiting to be sentenced by a Santa Clara County judge. Her maximum possible sentence is 12 years in the state prison. In fact, the judge is precluded from granting this woman probation unless he finds “unusual circumstances” where the interests of justice require it. According to statements, the family of the victim has forgiven the defendant, and believes that the victim would forgive her as well. Unfortunately, California DUI sentencing law provides somewhat less opportunity for the Court to forgive her.
As a former prosecutor, I can tell you that, regardless of the outcome, nobody wins in these cases. Regardless of what side you are on there is nothing but tragedy in these cases. An innocent victim loses her life, and a contrite survivor is cast into the hell of the California prison system.
More California Counties are saving money by implementing no-bail pre-trial release programs
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
The Solano County DA's Office has announced that they will start a new specialized DUI enforcement team.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
An alledged DUI driver from San Francisco drove into the barriers in front of the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
Marin County arrested more suspected DUI drivers this year over Labor Day period.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
DUI arrests were down this year over Labor Day across the Bay Area
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
Three DUI checkpoints scheduled for Santa Clara County
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
Three DUI checkpoints are planned for the next two weeks in San Francisco.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
Running back Marshawn Lynch arrested by California Highway Patrol in Alameda County for suspicion of DUI.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
A San Francisco man died in his brother's arms in the Bayview after being thrown out of an alleged drunk driver's car.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
CHP in the San Francisco Bay Area made fewer DUI Arrests This Year Compared to Last Year.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
Marin County law enforcement will set up a DUI checkpoint in Sausalito (Marin County) on Friday, July 6th.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
San Francisco PD to conduct a DUI sobriety checkpoint tonight, July 3, 2012.
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A Santa Clara county judge revoked a man's license for life and sentenced him to three years prison for hit and run.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
DUI checkpoint planned for this Friday night, June 15 in Vallejo, California.
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DUI checkpoint this Friday night in Oakland, California.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
San Francisco reported a 55% drop in DUI arrests over Memorial Day Weekend compared to last year.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
DUI arrests up this year in the Santa Rosa area over Memorial Day Weekend compared to last year.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
Marin County Officers Respond to five Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Accidents Over Two Days.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI
Mendocino man arrested in Santa Cruz County for driving under the influence (DUI), battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
Category: Keyword Search: Bay Area DUI