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The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Larimer County DUI Task Force, will be conducting a DUI Saturation Patrol from Saturday through Monday due to the Super Bowl.

Current data shows that in the last five years, 63 percent of the fatal crashes that occurred over Super Bowl weekend in Colorado were alcohol related.

The Larimer County DUI Task Force is comprised of the Colorado State Patrol, Fort Collins Police Services, Loveland Police Department, Colorado State University Police and Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office will add approximately 64 extra man-hours to regular patrols. These deputies will be assigned exclusively to the high-visibility drunken driving law enforcement program in an effort to reduce alcohol related crashes, injuries and death.

The patrol areas include Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Wellington, Timnath and Estes Park.

The saturation patrol is being funded of Law Enforcement Assistance Fund state grants. No taxpayer money is being used.

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Do not drink and drive! Stay in and bet the Cardinals plus the 7!

We’ve seen the DUI checkpoints which are aimed to keep drunk drivers off the streets. Now, the state wants one more preventive measure: this time for convicted DUI offenders. The Transportation and Judiciary Committees are looking into a bill that would require first time offenders to install breathalyzers in their cars. The interlock device would prevent them from driving unless they blew a reading below the legal limit.

“The national statistics indicate two thirds of people who have their license suspended for DUI still drive. They cheat the system basically, but with the interlock devices, the system is 80 to 90 percent effective from preventing those people from driving,” said State Sen. Don DeFronzo, who proposed the bill.

Right now, Connecticut uses the interlock system for offenders with multiple court convictions and some attorneys even question those. They say it’s not appropriate for first time offenders.

“I think you’re really punishing people that aren’t repeat offenders, and because we don’t even have the device running properly for these second time offenders’ cars, maybe we should figure out that first before we start putting it in everyone’s cars that get arrested,” said Teresa DiNardi, a DUI attorney.

DUI Attorneys also say the devices are costly to maintain. They cost about $1000 just to be installed. Lawmakers say they’re working on a plan to help alleviate that cost for offenders who can’t afford them.

The bill is in the early stages. It still has to get through some public hearings and a few committees before it even makes its way to the state House or Senate.

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Chicago DUI Attorney Michael Pasquinelli prosecuted hundreds of DUI cases as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, and knows from experience what you’re up against. After agreeing to represent an individual, Mr. Pasquinelli looks at the facts and circumstances surrounding the offense and advises the client on a case strategy.

Although most Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI) cases in Illinois are written on Uniform Traffic Citations (tickets), make no mistake about it, a DUI charge is not a simple traffic matter.

A DUI arrest in Illinois initiates both a criminal prosecution and an administrative suspension (summary suspension) of person’s driving privileges. In Illinois, a first time offender charged with DUI can be imprisoned up to any term less than one year, and fined up to $2,500.00. Further, a conviction for DUI will revoke a person’s driving privileges. In a DUI criminal prosecution, like all criminal charges in Illinois, the Prosecution has the burden of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The summary suspension action is significantly different. In this action, civil, rather than criminal rules of procedure apply. Accordingly, the driver, not the Prosecution, has the initial burden of proof. Persons 21 years of age or older can challenge the summary suspension action by timely filing a petition to rescind the suspension in the Circuit Court.

Failure to timely file this petition will forfeit the right to challenge the action and result in the suspension of a person’s driving privileges.

The Law Office of Michael J. A. Pasquinelli has the legal know how and experience to handle the complex issues that arise in DUI cases, and will advocate the rights and interests of each client. Contact our office today to schedule a free case consultation.

A Chicago alderman charged with DUI early Wednesday morning says she wasn’t drunk.

As proof of her sobriety, Ald. Sharon Dixon (24th Ward) said she never used the bathroom once during her seven hours at a North Side police station. She also said she believes officers arrested her because she was “going to write them up” for “mistreating” her.

“If I was intoxicated like they said, wouldn’t you think I would have to go to the bathroom?” Dixon told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The alderman was steaming mad about what she claims was “abusive” treatment at the hands of three Chicago police officers in Rogers Park Wednesday.

Police say Dixon was arrested and charged with DUI after she reportedly refused to obey a street closure at the scene of a fatal fire.

Dixon, who voiced reservations about the appointment of Police Superintendent Jody Weis in 2007, is ready to go to the top cop with her objections and complaints about two female officers and a male back-up who arrested her and charged her with DUI.

“Something clearly needs to be done. This should not happen to anyone else,” Dixon said after being handcuffed to a wall for seven hours.

Police say Dixon was in her personal vehicle when she came upon the street closure near the 6800 block of North Sheridan Road at about 1:30 a.m.

She told officers that she needed to get through. Police told her that there was a fire and she should move her car to allow needed access for fire equipment in the area. Dixon allegedly exited her vehicle, became involved in a verbal exchange with the cops, then returned to her vehicle.

A short time later, Dixon got out of her car again and argued with police. At that time, police said they also noticed a strong smell of alcohol on her breath.

It was then that Dixon was taken into custody.

The 24th Ward office is located in the Southwest Side’s Lawndale neighborhood.

The Sun-Times reported that Dixon has maintained a relatively low profile in City Council since her election in 2007. Since being seated, however, she has cast key votes against the mayor.

She was one of 21 aldermen to oppose the record, $83.4 million property tax increase that helped balance Daley’s 2008 budget. A few months later, hers was one of six votes against the 40 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax increase mandated by the Ill. General Assembly as part of a CTA bailout.

The few times that Dixon has spoken on the City Council floor, it has been to complain about rampant crime in her impoverished Lawndale community.

Dixon is now charged with DUI, obstruction of traffic, failure to provide valid insurance, and obstructing a peace officer.

A DUI driver struck a Rocklin Police car at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Jan. 14 in the drive-thru lane of a local McDonald’s.

The officer was rear-ended at a slow speed. Upon making contact with the driver of the vehicle, officers noticed symptoms of intoxication. She was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Rosemary Newell, 67, of Rocklin, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was booked into Placer County Jail and subsequently release with a Promise to Appear.

There was little damage to both vehicles and the officer and arrested driver suffered no injuries.

This is the second time within a week that a Rocklin Police car has been involved with a driver who was arrested for DUI. On Jan. 7, a DUI driver was arrested in a collision with a Rocklin Police car and the officer is still off work due to his injuries.

“Rear-ending a police car while intoxicated is a sure fire way to be arrested for DUI,” said Lt. Lon Milka.

The “Avoid the 14″ holiday drunk driving campaign in San Luis Obispo County is now over.

County law enforcement says the Avoid the 14 campaign netted 275 DUI arrests from the end of November to January 1.

The number of DUI arrests made is down compared to the 2007 campaign, but it is up from two years ago.

Officials say they will continue to increase patrols during times when drinking and driving are most prevalent, like Super Bowl Sunday.

Avoid drinking and driving at all costs but If you need the services of a California DUI Lawyer, contact the DUI Law Offices of Manuel Barba.

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The California Highway Patrol is reporting that the driver of a vehicle that crossed into oncoming traffic and smashed head-on into another car, causing five injuries, was arrested for alleged drunken driving.

The crash took place around 7:15 p.m. Saturday on Willow Glen Drive east of Steele Canyon Road, the dispatcher said.

She said the driver of a small white sedan was heading eastbound on Willow Glen Drive with no headlights illuminated and barely missed three other vehicles before colliding with a Volkswagen Beetle.

Three people, including both drivers, temporarily lost consciousness, the dispatcher said.

A dispatcher with the Heartland Fire dispatching agency said that those three and two others were taken to hospitals.

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It was only a matter of time until Charles Barkley’s DUI arrest had serious repercussions for the NBA star.

Barkley will take a leave of absence from TNT for a minimum of several weeks with no return date set, a source told the AP. David Levy, president of TNT Sports, released a statement that reads in part, “When I spoke with Charles, he was apologetic for the events that transpired and it was obvious he understands the significance of the situation. This is an important time for Charles as he deals with the legal and personal issues that confront him. Charles is a valued part of the Turner Sports organization and we are concerned for his well-being.”

It was revealed today Barkley had a blood alcohol level of .149 — nearly twice the legal limit in Arizona.

source: TMZ

Despite his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence early yesterday, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson will play in Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game at Pittsburgh.

Jackson, 25, was driving east on state Route 52 near Interstate 805 just after 2:30 a.m. when he was pulled over for an observed traffic violation, California Highway Patrol Officer Brad Baehr said.

Jackson faces the misdemeanor DUI allegation as well as charges that he was driving on probation for a prior DUI in June 2006, Baehr said. The results of a blood test are pending.

Jackson proffered his innocence in a statement released yesterday afternoon.

“This morning I was stopped by an officer,” Jackson said in the statement. “I don’t think any charges will be filed as a result of the stop. In the event they are, I look forward to clearing my name and proving my innocence.”

The arrest will not affect Jackson’s status for Sunday’s game. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement gives the league, not teams, authority to punish players for alcohol and substance abuses. Any discipline by the league would be meted out for the 2009 season, several sources said.

A suspension certainly is possible. The NFL’s substance-abuse policy states: “Discipline for a second or subsequent offense is likely to be a suspension, the duration of which may escalate for repeat offenses.”

Jared Allen, then with Kansas City, was suspended for the first four games of the 2007 season after being charged with DUI twice in one year. The NFL later reduced his suspension to two games.

Chargers players had the day off yesterday. General Manager A.J. Smith issued the following statement on Jackson’s arrest:

“We’re aware of the off-the-field issue involving Vincent. Obviously, we’re disappointed. We take these issues very seriously. Moving forward, we will monitor the situation and have no further comment.”

Jackson was driving a 2008 GMC Sierra registered to him, Baehr said. He was booked into county jail and was released by 6 a.m., Baehr said.

Jackson, in his fourth season, caught a career-high 59 passes and led the team with 1,098 yards, also a career high. His seven receiving touchdowns were also a career best and second on the team.

Earlier this week, Smith called Jackson a “true professional” and “ultimate team player” for how hard Jackson played even while not catching any passes.

“You win championships with players like Vincent Jackson,” Smith said.

The general manager has put an emphasis on character and avoiding off-the-field issues. The Chargers have not had any arrests become public this season and have been relatively trouble-free in recent years.

In 2006, linebacker Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty Coronado policeman who suspected Foley of driving under the influence. Foley pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving and was placed on five years’ probation. In July, he settled a lawsuit against the city of Coronado for $5.5 million.

Jackson’s contract runs through 2009, and he is among the hottest young receivers in the league. What becomes of this incident, combined with the previous DUI, could affect Jackson’s long-term future with the Chargers.

Smith has let go a number of players who have had off-the-field troubles. While none was as productive or possessed the upside of Jackson, Smith did last February release tackle Shane Olivea just two years after signing Olivea to a contract that guaranteed him $9 million. Olivea later underwent treatment for an addiction to pain killers.

“You’re a Charger one year at a time,” Smith has often said.

Recently, speaking of the lack of incidents involving his players, Smith said, “It’s very important if you want to be a Charger you do the right things on and off the field.”

The Chargers leave Friday for Pittsburgh, where they will face the Steelers at 1:45 p.m. Sunday.

Vincent Jackson better retain a Top California DUI Lawyer.

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Arrests of allegedly intoxicated drivers over the holiday period ending Jan. 1 were up in most north state communities compared to 2007.

In Tehama County, where a grant-funded “Avoid the 5″ campaign began Dec. 14, officers from five law enforcement agencies made 36 arrests.

There were 26 arrests for the same period in 2007.

In Glenn County, where four agencies participated in an “Avoid” program, 53 arrests were made between Dec. 12 and New Year’s Day. The number is two higher than in 2007.

Butte County was without an “Avoid” program over the holidays, but still racked up some impressive DUI arrest numbers.

Chico police made 30 arrests during the much shorter period of Dec. 21 through New Year’s Day.

Paradise police made 14 arrests during the same period. Officers from the Chico and Oroville offices of the California Highway Patrol combined to make 10 arrests.

Most agencies said the majority of arrests were made on New Year’s Eve.

Paradise police Lt. Al Billington said state budget problems have delayed renewing a three-year “Avoid” grant for Butte County totaling about $271,000.

He said the grant should be available in time to mount a saturation DUI patrol by Super Bowl weekend, putting several officers on Butte County roads looking for impaired drivers.

DUI grants fund officer overtime and are administered by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

source: MSNBC News