Summer holidays in the Los Angeles area bring sunny days, barbeques, and increased police patrols for drunk driving.  Drivers in California may see an even greater police presence this summer as a result of new funding awarded to the California Highway Patrol.

Earlier this year, the California Highway Patrol received a $5.9 million grant designated to supporting additional DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints.  For 2009, there are 35 DUI task force patrols planned in California.  There will also be 110 DUI checkpoints this year.

This increased state-wide surveillance combines with increasingly tougher penalties for drunk driving offenses to make a DUI arrest a potentially devastating experience.  Drunk driving offenses are serious and their consequences can be far-reaching.

The legal process for a DUI case in California is complex.  Therefore, it is imperative that you seek out a qualified DUI attorney to help you resolve your DUI case as quickly as possible.

Speed is of the essence in a Los Angeles/Long Beach DUI arrest.  This is because at the time of the arrest you must surrender your license.  In its place you will receive a temporary license which is applicable for 30 days.  Once this temporary license is issued, you will only have 10 days to appeal the suspension of your license.

During the appeal process, there are numerous court appearances for which you will need to be present.  A knowledgeable DUI/DWI lawyer can help you prepare for and track these important meetings.

Penalties for a DUI offense in Los Angeles County include fines, vehicle impoundment, license suspension, and potentially jail time.

If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Los Angeles/Long Beach metro area, your best defense is to quickly secure the services of a DUI/DWI attorney to help you through this difficult process.

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering changes to the state’s DUI laws that would impose tougher penalties on first offenders whose blood alcohol content tests at almost twice the legal limit.

If an offender’s blood alcohol level tests at.15% they would be required to install an ignition interlock device on the vehicle that they drive.

The bill under consideration would also expand a treatment program that serves as an alternative to jail time and increases penalties for repeat offenders.

Family members of people killed in recent high-profile alcohol-related traffic accidents in Wisconsin say that the changes don’t go far enough. They want the state to make the first offense a crime, something that legislators say is not likely to pass.

Chuck Hurley, chief executive of Mothers Against Drink Driving, says that his group supports the measure, but that “only in Wisconsin” did such legislation signify progress.

The state still has a ban on sobriety check points and even has a law on the books that allows minors to be served alcohol in a bar if they are with a parent or legal guardian.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth will likely receive jail time if reports are true that he will plead guilty to intoxication manslaughter  today.

The charge stems from a March 14 incident in which the 28-year-old football player struck 59-year-old Mario Reyes with his Bentley on his way home from a night out in Miami Beach.

A blood-alcohol test taken after the accident showed Stallworth had a level of .126, well over the limit of .08.

Sources are telling reporters that Stallworth will likely serve some time in jail for the crime. I am impressed that Mr. Stallworth is willing to face the consequences of his actions. Many in his position would have held out for no jail time.