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.
This Saturday, June 30, 2012, the San Francisco Police Department is planning a DUI checkpoint at Lombard and Divisadero.
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The Vallejo Police Department has announced that they will conduct a DUI sobriety checkpoint this Friday night.
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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: DUI and DWI Laws For California
The California Senate has approved a bill to allow county jail inmates, including DUI offenders, to serve their sentences in treatment and education.
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
DUI checkpoint planned for this Friday night, June 15 in Vallejo, California.
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DUI checkpoint this Friday night in Oakland, California.
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San Francisco reported a 55% drop in DUI arrests over Memorial Day Weekend compared to last year.
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Arizona baby falls off of roof into roadway after stoned mother forgets he is on top of car.
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DUI arrests up this year in the Santa Rosa area over Memorial Day Weekend compared to last year.
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
San Francisco company offers an inexpensive service to safely get you and you car home, and avoid getting a DUI.
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
Driving under the influence (DUI) sobriety checkpoints and extra saturation patrols announced by several San Francisco Bay Area police agencies
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
Marin County Reverend Off Base in Asserting Answer to Driving Under the Influence is Longer Jail or Prison Sentences
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
One More Marin County Driving Under the Influence (DUI) collision in less than a week.
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
Marin County Officers Respond to five Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Accidents Over Two Days.
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
Mendocino man arrested in Santa Cruz County for driving under the influence (DUI), battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
Category: DUI and DWI Laws For California
COURT V. JURY TRIAL IN DUI CASES
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PREVENTING THE REPEAT DUI
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NO DRINKING FOR BOBBY BROWN AFTER DUI
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BAY AREA MEDIA PERPETUATES THE DUI GUILT
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There will be a driving under the influence (DUI) sobriety checkpoint set up in The City this weekend
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LEGISLATOR ARRESTED FOR DUI article
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Information regarding Bay Area Cinco de Mayo driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement is starting to trickle in.
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The only way to be assured of sobriety is to sleep it off long enough for all of the alcohol to exit your body.
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The only way to be assured of sobriety is to sleep it off long enough for all of the alcohol to exit your body.
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PRIVATE PROPERTY DUI
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