What's Missing From DUI Penalties?

One of the reasons why I think drunk driving continues to be a problem is that law enforcement simply puts offenders in jail and charges them nominal fees. Yes, some offenders have to take attend a DUI program, but what is missing in this equation?

Consider this new DUI law that has been passed in South Carolina. Lawmakers have passed a judicial mandate for the clinical assessment and appropriate treatment of every DUI offender convicted of a DUI. Offenders will be assessed to determine whether an offender is an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent. Alcohol abusers must attend a program of two classroom hours twice a week for four weeks. Offenders who are assessed to be an alcoholic must enroll for therapeutic outpatient treatment, three three-hour sessions a week for eight weeks, or longer depending on their progress.

This new law in South Carolina goes into effect early next year and participants will be subject to contempt of court punishment if they don't enroll in a program and make satisfactory educational or treatment progress.

In California there are DUI programs that offenders must attend as well. There is a 30-month program for offenders who have had multiple convictions, but how well this program is enforced is questionable.

Get help with your drunk driving case! Contact a professional San Diego DUI defense lawyer.

Source: GreenvilleOnline.com

North Inland Community Prevention Program Pushes For Alcohol Ordinance in San Marcos

A couple years ago I talked about how the City Council of National City passed an ordinance that required alcohol servers in bars and restaurants to take special training. Well, now that idea has spread to other parts of San Diego County. The North Inland Community Prevention Program (NICPP) is pushing for this same type of ordinance for the city of San Marcos. Certification training for alcohol servers are currently taking place in Poway and Solana Beach as well.

The NICPP director, Clark Kiser, has discovered that Old California Restaurant Row in San Marcos have become popular areas for excessive drinking. Additionally, several bars and restaurants in San Marcos have been identified as places where people have had drinks before being arrested for a DUI.

The state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) department offers free responsible beverage sales and service certification training and classes last three to four hours. The two-year grant pulls together experts who review and update standards for Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) program curriculum.

Having this type of ordinance in all areas of San Diego certainly would be ideal, however, it's nice to see that some cities are taking steps to promote safety on the highways and a better quality of life.

Source: Today's Local News
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Photo Credit: Rick Audet

Questions To Ask Before You Hire a San Diego DUI Lawyer

Most people who are arrested for drunk driving think that they should go to court and fight their case on their own, however, one of the first things you should do is to hire a San Diego DUI lawyer to help you with your case. A lawyer who specializes in DUI cases is aware of the latest DUI laws and procedures.

So if you do decide that you want the help of a lawyer, here are a few questions you should ask yourself:

Is the lawyer affiliated with any associations? A drunk driving lawyer should be an active member of at least one association.

What kind of experience does the lawyer have in DUI law? It’s advisable to hire a lawyer who is very experienced, but do keep in mind that simply because a lawyer has years of experience, this doesn't mean they're good at what they do. Ask the lawyer how many cases they’ve won.

Do you feel comfortable talking to this lawyer? Does the firm treat you with respect? Does the attorney talk down to you? Always trust your gut feeling when you‘re interviewing lawyers.

Do the lawyer’s fees include all services? The lawyer you decide to should be able to explain exactly what he/she will do for you and inform you of any extra charges for other services.