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San Diego Superior Court Update: Closure Continues

April 29, 2020 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

Today, the San Diego County Bar Association hosted a “State of the Court Address” online via Zoom. Presenters included the San Diego Superior Court Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne, Assistant Presiding Judge Michael Smyth, and Mike Roddy, the CEO of the Superior Court. There were over 2600 attendees in on the meeting to hear the latest updates! Allegedly, this was the largest Zoom meeting of its kind regarding the state of the court in the State of California.

As for what was covered in the criminal arena:

The court will remain closed except for essential or emergency services until at least May 22nd, 2020. For a full list of what matters are being addressed, look at the court orders on the San Diego Court website.

Biking or Cycling Under The Influence (BUI or CUI)

March 24, 2017 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

The time has changed and the weather feels a lot like summer is just around the corner! Excited for Sunday Funday’s, cold beers and margaritas, BBQ’s, parties and beach time? Know the law and plan ahead so your fun does not end with criminal charges.

If you head out to bike your way around town after consuming an alcoholic beverage, be aware that you can be arrested.

If your bike can be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, such as a motor bike, you can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. All the penalties of a standard drunk driving offense involving an automobile would apply. However, if your bike is self-propelled, you will not be subjected to the DUI statutes. Instead, you can be charged with BUI or CUI, biking or cycling under the influence, under California Vehicle Code Section 21200.5.

This code section specifically states: “…it is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle upon a highway while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or any drug or under the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and any drug. Continue reading ›

California Boating Under The Influence (BUI) Laws

March 20, 2017 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

As the weather warms up in San Diego, people enjoy the outdoors and get more active. Many flock to the bay, ocean, lakes and rivers to enjoy a day on the water, but be aware that law enforcement agencies are out in full force actively looking to cite people for boating under the influence, BUI’s.

In California, if you operate a motorized boat or any watercraft while under the influence, you can be arrested and charged with a crime. (Note: This code section only applies to motorized vessels, meaning that you cannot be charged under these code sections if your vessel is exclusively self or water propelled such as a kayak, rowboat, or a non-motorized sailboat. Also, there is a “zero tolerance” policy for anyone under the age of 21, meaning if you are underage, any measurable amount of alcohol can lead to BUI charges.)

The Harbors and Navigation Code provides the statutes for BUI. The language of the code is very close in the language in the California Vehicle Code for drunk driving, (see California Vehicle Code section 23152).

San Diego Kicks Off Summer With Drunk Driving Enforcement

May 31, 2011 | The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

The Imperial Beach Patch reported that the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and the San Diego Police Department increased their efforts to arrest those suspected of drunk driving this past Memorial Day weekend.
On Friday night there were DUI saturation patrols in Poway, Oceanside, Escondido and San Diego. Checkpoints were also set up in San Marcos and Imperial Beach. Four drivers at each checkpoint were arrested for suspicion of drunken driving.

Saturation patrols continued on Saturday and Sunday night in Santee, Lemon Grove, San Diego and Oceanside. Another DUI checkpoint was conducted in Lemon Grove on Sunday which resulted in just 2 drunk driving arrests, according to kusi.com.

According to signonsandiego.com and CHP statistics only, drunk driving arrests were down for the holiday weekend in California by 13 percent; however San Diego County’s numbers increased by 10 percent.

The nctimes.com reported that 14 San Diego County law enforcement agencies arrested 129 people on suspicion of drunken driving Friday and Saturday which was 16 less than during the same period last Memorial Day weekend.