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Bay Area Criminal Defense Blog

More Than a Dozen DUIs for One Driver

Posted by Lynn Gorelick | Jan 26, 2017 | 0 Comments

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, and still go out and get behind the wheel while intoxicated. A driver in Michigan is now facing his 14th DUI arrest.

After a first DUI in California, a driver may face thousands in fines and fees, using an ignition interlock device to be able to drive, and have to attend DUI school and substance abuse counseling. A second and third DUI has additional penalties and may result in a driver losing their license for years. A 4th DUI within a 10 year period can even be charged as a felony.

Police officers in Mount Clemens, Michigan pulled over a Pontiac Grand Prix that had reportedly run a red light. When officers approached the driver, 54-year-old Zenon Bialokur, they determined he was under the influence of alcohol. Upon checking Bialokur's record, they found he was also driving on a suspended license, and he was placed under arrest.

This was not Bialokur's first time under arrest for either crime. It was his 13th DUI and 10th driving on a suspended license charge. He is facing a felony DUI, had his car impounded, and bond set at $50,000.

Unfortunately, the Michigan driver is not alone in having a shockingly high number of DUIs. Last month, a driver in Farmington, New Mexico was arrested for his 10th DUI. Herbert Sandoval, Jr. was driving a black SUV when police noticed the vehicle did not have registration stickers. After officers pulled him over, they suspected the driver was intoxicated.

Sandoval reportedly failed a number of field sobriety tests and was arrested on charges of drunk driving. At the county detention center, Sandoval's blood-alcohol content was tested at 0.20%, more than twice the legal limit. He now faced felony DUI and driving with a revoked license.

Last year, a driver in Texas was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to his 10th DUI offense. 62-year-old Ivy Ray Eberhardt was pulled over by police who were responding to a call of a reckless driver. Eberhardt admitted to consuming most of a 750mL bottle of whiskey that was found inside the vehicle. His blood alcohol level was tested at almost 4 times the legal limit.

While Eberhardt was free on bond, he cut off an ankle monitoring device and fled to Colorado. However, once in Colorado, he was arrested for another DUI and returned to Texas. The Texas judge told Eberhardt he was “a second away from hurting someone really bad,” and sentenced the man to life in prison. Eberhardt will not be eligible for parole for 15 years.

If you have been arrested for a second, third, or fourth DUI, the penalties can increase with each subsequent conviction. At the Gorelick Law Offices, attorney Lynn Gorelick has dedicated her legal career to defending people facing misdemeanor and felony DUI charges in the East Bay. With more than 30 years of DUI experience, Lynn Gorelick understands how the prosecutors operate. Call the local East Bay DUI defense attorney who understands how to get your DUI or other criminal charges reduced or dismissed.

About the Author

Lynn Gorelick

Lynn Gorelick has been an attorney for over 38 years. She is the Attorney Lynn Gorelick is the Immediate Past President of the California DUI Lawyers Association and a Faculty and Sustaining member of the National College of DUI Defense. Lynn is a Specialist Member of the California DUI Lawyers Association and lectures frequently to other attorneys regarding DUI and DMV issues.

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