It has been announced that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be conducting sobriety checkpoints in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County.  The checkpoints will take place on Thursday June 24^th and Friday June 25^th and will begin at 8:30 PM and last until 2:30 AM on Saturday.  During that time period, officers will be on the lookout for those who are driving under the influence (DUI).

Police say that on Thursday and Friday, drivers will notice that signs are posted advising them that a sobriety checkpoint is ahead.   Drivers will be stopped by police for a few minutes while officers explain the purpose of the sobriety checkpoint.

Officers report that the goal of the sobriety checkpoint is to create awareness amongst drivers about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.   Another goal is to arrest those who are drunk driving and reduce the number of DUI offenders on Los Angeles roads.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence, now is the time to contact Okabe & Haushalter and discuss your charges with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.

When people have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), they may assume that they have zero options.  This is especially true if their failed their breath alcohol tests or field sobriety tests.  However, the truth is that all people are innocent until proven guilty and that there are many DUI defenses.  Some of these defenses are detailed below:

§  Faulty administration of breath tests.  Sometimes, when law enforcement pull people over for DUI and ask them to take breath tests, they may administer tests incorrectly.  When this happens the results of the tests may not be accurate and can impact the outcome of people's cases.

§  Field sobriety tests are prone to errors.  There are numerous defenses that can be used to contest FSTs, including poor weather conditions or even poor instruction from officers.

§  Lack of probable cause.  In order for police to make a DUI stop, they must have sufficient probable cause. If they do not have sufficient probable cause, the DUI stop may be deemed illegal.

If you would like to learn more about possible DUI defenses, contact Okabe & Haushalter to speak with a South Bay DUI defense lawyer.

In California, two women who were waiting at a bus stop were hit by a drunk driver this week Tuesday.  The women suffered serious injuries during the collision.

News sources report that while 40 year old Keri Sanders and 32 year old Demertia Davidson were waiting for the bus, they were struck by a vehicle heading eastbound.  The vehicle was operated by 24 year old Jason Howard.  Police say Howard first hit a trash can, swerved off of the road and ended up crashing into the bus stop.  He was arrested for driving under the influence at 5:00 PM.

Both of the women had to be rushed to the hospital to receive treatment for their major injuries.  Sanders sustained a head injury, but both victims are in stable condition. 

Police say that Howard was charged with DUI causing injury after an accident and if he is convicted, his penalties will largely depend upon the health of both victims. 

If you are in need of DUI defense in Los Angeles, contact Okabe & Haushalter to arrange to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.

If you're driving in Fairfield on Friday, be extra careful not to drink and drive.  The Fairfield Police Department just announced that it will conduct a DUI checkpoint from 6 till 11 PM on the 2000 block of North Texas Street.

Traffic Sergeant Mike Mitchell told news sources, ""No matter what you drive -- a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle -- if we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses."

In California, 1,029 people died last year during major DUI accidents.  This is why police officers are doing everything they can to crack down on drunk drivers. 

Remember, in the state of California, it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  It is also a criminal offense to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher.  If you are caught driving under the influence, you could face harsh penalties, like jail time and fines.

Have you been charged with DUI in Los Angeles?  If so, a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from Okabe & Haushalter can protect your rights and best interests.  Contact us today to discuss your DUI case!

Former Riverside Police Chief Russ Leach was allegedly drinking at a strip club before he crashed a city-owned vehicle.

According to Jon Diamond, the attorney representing the club, Leach drank about four glasses of Scotch whiskey while at the topless club, but appeared to be fine when he left. Diamond said he wasn’t acting drunk or disorderly while at the club.

The California Highway Patrol has video surveillance footage from the club that shows Leach leaving the club. About an hour after leaving, Leach crashed the city-owned vehicle he was driving into a fire hydrant. He then continued to drive for another three miles with a hanging fender and two blown tires.

Leach says he was disoriented from the prescription medication he is taking for a back injury and other ailments.

Leach was on medical leave at the time of the accident, but on the day of the accident he announced he was retiring for medical reasons, effective immediately.

Leach said he takes full responsibility for his actions. At this time he has not yet been charged with DUI or a related crime.