Our Norwalk DUI criminal defense lawyers don't always trust the police to do the right thing when one of their own is accused. But we were disappointed to see that reinforced by a March 5 report from the OC Register. According to the newspaper, an off-duty Orange County sheriff's deputy was arrested March 1 for driving under the influence after he ran his car and another car into a tree in Laguna Niguel. However, it wasn't the first crash of the day for Allan James Waters. Just 33 minutes earlier, Waters had been in a crash in Dana Point, which was handled by his fellow sheriff's deputies.
The first crash was not described in detail, but did not appear to have caused any injuries. The report said Waters' 2008 Mercedes hit a Lexus outside the Dana Point City Hall. OC sheriff's deputies took a police report, as is routine in car crashes, and sent both drivers on their way. From there, Waters apparently headed into Laguna Niguel, where he crossed into oncoming traffic, hit a Toyota with an older couple inside and ran both vehicles into a tree. The Los Angeles Times said passenger Dolores Medina, 78, suffered minor injuries. The California Highway Patrol officers who handled this crash said Waters showed signs of intoxication and arrested him on suspicion of DUI. Interestingly, Waters is on paid administrative leave from his job for reasons the OC Sheriff's Department declined to specify.
The Times said the Sheriff's Department will conduct an internal investigation about why Waters was allowed to leave the scene of the first crash. As San Clemente drunk driving criminal defense attorneys, we'd like to see the results of that investigation. Waters was dealing with colleagues in his first crash, which suggests that they may have been inclined to give him a second chance they wouldn't give a civilian. If he showed clear signs of intoxication, this could be serious misconduct. Suspicion of DUI is always at least partly a judgment call, but police have a responsibility to use their judgment wisely and neutrally. As this case may show, that doesn't always happen in reality.
Howard Law, P.C. defends Californians from all professions -- not just law enforcement officers -- who are accused of intoxicated driving. Most people aren't lucky enough to have friends in local law enforcement, which means police officers' judgment calls may go the other way. However, that decision by an officer doesn't mean you're guilty. Our Murrieta intoxicated driving defense lawyers can often find a strong defense in a DUI case, even when there's a blood-alcohol test result over 0.08. For example, if the original traffic stop that led to the BAC test was illegal, the evidence is tainted and cannot be used. We use these and other flaws in the cases against our clients to get charges dropped or substantially reduced.
If you're facing DUI charges in California, you're facing an expensive, embarrassing conviction that takes away your driving privileges for months. Howard Law, P.C. can help. To set up a free, confidential consultation, please contact us through our site or call 1-800-872-5925 today.
