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He Got A DUI On A Scooter

Okabe & Haushalter Oct 5, 2018 DUI

Police and prosecutors in Los Angeles will find a way to get their DUI conviction, even if it means charging you with DUI for riding a Bird scooter when you have had a little bit too much to drink.

If you are not familiar with them, Bird scooters are the little-motorized ridesharing scooters that have shown up on the streets of LA over the last year. They offer a convenient way for people to get from place to place instead of using their vehicles or walking.

Nicholas Kauffroath decided to use one, which was admittedly probably a bad decision. He ended up hitting a pedestrian. The person he hit ended up with a scraped knee, but Kauffroath pled no contest to one count of operating a motorized scooter while under the influence and one count of hit-and-run.

Should Kauffroath had ended up with a DUI conviction here?

We do not know the complete facts of this case, but at Okabe & Haushalter, we have years of experience defending people charged with DUI. Contact us if you need a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney.

A Nightmare

We understand why the state of California is tough on people who drink and drive. There is no denying that alcohol makes our roadways less safe. In 2016, over 29 percent of vehicle accident deaths were attributed to alcohol-impaired driving.

But what happens when you find yourself charged with DUI?

We know it can be scary. You may have just wanted to have a few drinks after work on a Friday. Or perhaps you know you had a little too much, but you live so close that you figured you would chance it.

These are mistakes, yes, but we do not believe they should completely rearrange your life.

If your blood alcohol level is above .08 percent, you are at a level deemed unacceptable in California. Refusing to take a breathalyzer test will likely mean your license will be suspended, maybe for up to a year.

If you blow above the legal limit, refuse a breathalyzer, or fail a sobriety test, you probably faced a night in jail.

Unfortunately, that means you were processed and could potentially have a criminal record. Punishments for a DUI can be severe, with options of jail time and up to a $1,000 fine for the first offense. You could also be required to complete DUI programs and obtain SR-22 insurance.

What You Can Do

Securing a strong defense could also help you get your charges reduced or dropped.

Okabe & Haushalter are ready to help you if you get charged with DUI, regardless of what kind of vehicle you were operating at the time. We understand that people make mistakes. We also understand that overzealous police officers and prosecutors can charge people when they should not do so. We will work to make sure your life stays on track. When you need a DUI defense attorney in Los Angeles, you can contact us today by clicking here or calling 310-430-7799 for a free consultation.