Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jun 30, 2020 |
Even when a driver is following the laws, seeing police lights in your rearview mirror can fill you will anxiety. Even the safest drivers double-check their speed, and think about if they might have missed a sign or light, or wonder about their registration. The anxiety can increase greatly once ...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jun 25, 2020 |
It is very common for a DUI arrest to occur shortly before someone has to move out of state. Getting arrested and having to deal with a criminal court case and driver's license suspension can be very disruptive to your plans to move out of state. The good news is that with an experienced East Bay...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jun 24, 2020 |
It has been more than 20 years since medicinal marijuana was legalized in California. Since then, California has joined the increasing number of states that have legalized recreational use of pot. With increased access to the marijuana plant, edibles, and concentrates, it is no surprise that the ...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jun 22, 2020 |
While a DUI can happen any time of year, the police designate certain times for increased enforcement. Increased drunk driving enforcement includes Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and winter holiday season. California law enforcement agencies are stepping up drunk driving enforcement now through t...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jun 08, 2020 |
Many visitors to California are surprised to see so many police cars patrolling the streets and on the lookout for drunk drivers. In 2015, more than 130,000 DUI arrests were made statewide. Many of those arrests involved out-of-state drivers who were driving through California, tourists on vacati...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jun 05, 2020 |
California, and especially the East Bay, has had one of the strongest responses to COVID-19 in the country. People were limited from non-essential travel, businesses closed, and large gatherings were prohibited. However, the police were still out arresting anyone they suspected of committing a cr...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | May 12, 2020 |
According to AAA, drowsy driving may be more hazardous than drunk driving. However, drivers who are behind the wheel after not getting enough sleep rarely have to face more than a ticket for a traffic violation, or a suggestion by the police officer to “go home and get some rest.”
Drivers who a...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Apr 20, 2020 |
Health officials in seven Bay Area counties have extended the stay-at-home orders through May 3-7, 2020. This includes Alameda County and Contra Costa County. While some residents in essential jobs are still going to work, many are not working or working-from-home. All this time cooped up inside ...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Apr 03, 2020 |
A few decades ago, the police in California could bust you for having some pot. Over time, possession of a small amount of marijuana was treated less seriously, maybe resulting in a ticket. However, medical marijuana has been available in California for more than 20 years. Recreational use of mar...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Mar 26, 2020 |
It may seem unbelievable that you could end up under arrest for a DUI after having your drink spiked and attempted sexual assault. If a driver drinks a spiked cocktail, they may find themselves driving and feeling much more impaired than expected. After a DUI traffic stop and arrest, the driver m...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Mar 09, 2020 |
St. Patrick's Day (March 17, 2020) falls on a Tuesday this year. The holiday, including the weekend before, can be celebrated with traditional Irish food and music, parades, and wearing green. However, many people still associate the holiday with celebrations at Irish pubs and bars, drinking Guin...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Feb 19, 2020 |
Orinda is a great place to live, close enough to bigger Bay Area cities but far enough away to feel like a small town. With all the commuting in and out of Orinda, some drivers coming home after going out to dinner may see police lights in their rearview mirror. Even if the driver does not feel i...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Feb 17, 2020 |
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal for anyone in California. However, drivers under the age of 21 are subject to more strict limits when it comes to drunk driving. Underage drivers may have to submit to chemical breath tests that are optional for over-21 drivers ...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Feb 05, 2020 |
San Francisco 49ers fans will have to wait until next season to see if their team will become the next Super Bowl champs. While some fans in the East Bay were supporting the Kansas City Chiefs, the final score in Miami ended the celebration of many football fans. For both fans celebrating and lam...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 10, 2020 |
After having a couple of drinks and getting behind the wheel, flashing lights in the rearview mirror can trigger panic. Even if you are not very impaired, being nervous during a traffic stop can help convince the police officer that you are driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drug...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 06, 2020 |
New Year's is a time when many people try to make life changes with a New Year's resolution. This may include going to the gym, stopping smoking, or drinking less alcohol. Unfortunately, many people decide they need to cut down on drinking only after getting arrested for drunk driving.
If you w...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Dec 31, 2019 |
Drivers in California know that if they have a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher, they can face a DUI conviction. However, one lawmaker is looking to lower the legal limit in an effort to reduce drunk driving accidents. If the law is passed, California would have a lower BAC limit of 0.05% f...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 31, 2017 |
Marijuana is a multi-billion dollar industry in California. Now that it has been legalized for recreational use, the industry will continue to expand. With so much money involved and the promise of more, the pot industry is also subject to abuse and fraud. A couple of recent arrests have tied the...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 30, 2017 |
The constitutional protections against unlawful search and seizure raise serious questions given our increasing reliance on technology. The courts are confronting novel questions about what constitutes a search, seizure, and self-incrimination. Police in Ohio have recently used a suspect's pacema...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 26, 2017 |
After the stress, penalties, and costs associated with a drunk driving arrest, many drivers make sure they never get caught drinking and driving again. Some drivers end up with a second DUI, with even harsher penalties. However, there are some drivers who end up arrested for a DUI again and again...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 25, 2017 |
Recreational marijuana is now legal in California, and medical marijuana has been available for almost 20 years. Recreational users looking to save some money may try to grow the plant at home. However, it is important to know the limits of the law, as well as the safety risks associated with hom...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 23, 2017 |
Police officers have heard all kinds of excuses for why the driver tests positive for alcohol after a breath test. However, in some cases, those excuses may be convincing enough for a judge to dismiss DUI charges. A driver in the Midwest has had her drunk driving charges dropped after explaining ...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 18, 2017 |
Anyone who has been arrested for driving under the influence knows how expensive a DUI can be. A drunk driving conviction may result in thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and increases to car insurance. On top of that, the driver may have to pay for DUI school, an alcohol abuse assessment, and ...
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 12, 2017 |
California was the first state in the country to allow marijuana to be used for medical purposes. Since then over half of all states and the District of Columbia have joined California in legalizing medical marijuana. However, some states remain staunchly opposed to decriminalizing the substance....
Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 10, 2017 |
Drivers who are required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles understand the deterrent effect it has on drinking and driving. Soon, mandatory IIDs will be required for all DUI convictions across the state of California. A new study shows that IIDs reduce the number of ...