Darren Kavinoky

There are two different types of DUI offenses that may be charged, depending on whether the person had a blood alcohol content below .08 percent or at or above the .08 percent. BAC is measured by the grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. BAC is tested by way of blood tests or by breath tests which use fuel cell and infrared technology.

In order to be convicted of a DUI, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol. The types of evidence which normally support this charge are: driving pattern, physical appearance, performance on field sobriety tests, and the results of chemical tests. However, the fact is that many people can drive at or above the legal limit (at .08% BAC) and have a perfect driving pattern, none or few physical symptoms of intoxication, and perform the field sobriety tests with flying colors.

To obtain a conviction for driving under the influence, the prosecution must prove that the defendant drove a vehicle while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage.

Driving is one of the required elements of a DUI offense. Driving requires "volitional movement of a vehicle." In everyday usage the phrase, "to drive a vehicle," is understood as requiring evidence of purposeful, actual movement of a vehicle.

In order to be convicted of a California DUI or drunk driving (driving while impaired by alcohol, or under the influence of alcohol), it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the person was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, which caused the driver to either drive without due caution or it is proven the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) was at or above .08%. Where a driver's blood or breath alcohol content exceeds the legal limit, it is considered a violation of the "per se" law.

Alcohol intoxication is a leading factor in motorcycle accidents and fatalities. Law enforcement officers have been trained to identify driving patterns that indicate a probability that a motorcyclist is driving while intoxicated. The driving patterns that police typically look for have been outlined by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Diversion from criminal drug charges entails navigating the intricacies of Prop. 36 or deferred entry of judgment (DEJ), both of which divert from criminal prosecution only people charged with simple possession or being under the influence. Both programs require the defendant to attend and complete a certified or approved drug rehabilitation program. When the treatment is complete, the defendant's conviction is erased from the record. The goal of both programs is rehabilitation rather than punishment, but there the similarities end.

Not only is it illegal to possess methamphetamine or PCP, but it is also illegal to possess the ingredients with the intent to manufacture these drugs.

Possession for sales of illegal drugs may be classified as a misdemeanor, felony, or "wobbler." A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by a maximum of one year imprisonment in county jail. A felony is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison. Either of these classifications may include fines. A felony term in state prison may have a range of years for sentencing purposes.

Possession of drugs for personal use requires the following knowledge: § Knowledge of the presence of the controlled substance § Knowledge that the substance is in fact a controlled substance. It is not necessary that the defendant know the chemical name or the precise chemical makeup of the substance.

Not only is it illegal to possess methamphetamine or PCP, but it is also illegal to possess the ingredients with the intent to manufacture these drugs.

Diversion from criminal drug charges entails navigating the intricacies of Prop. 36 or deferred entry of judgment (DEJ), both of which divert from criminal prosecution only people charged with simple possession or being under the influence. Both programs require the defendant to attend and complete a certified or approved drug rehabilitation program. When the treatment is complete, the defendant's conviction is erased from the record. The goal of both programs is rehabilitation rather than punishment, but there the similarities end.

Most states break their crimes into two major groups, felonies and misdemeanors. The difference between the two types of crime is the punishment involved. Where a crime can be punished with a year of more of imprisonment in state prison, it is a felony. But if the potential punishment is for a year or less in the county jail, then the crime is considered a misdemeanor.

Possession for sales of illegal drugs may be classified as a misdemeanor, felony, or "wobbler." A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by a maximum of one year imprisonment in county jail. A felony is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison. Either of these classifications may include fines. A felony term in state prison may have a range of years for sentencing purposes.

In California this term is used to identify crimes that are punishable either as a felony or as a misdemeanor. There are over a hundred cases that can be classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. This distinction can be found in the Penal Code. These types of cases are referred to as "wobblers" due to the sentencing structure. In other words, wobbler crimes are those that could bring a sentence of state prison, county jail, or fines.

In order to be convicted of a California DUI or drunk driving (driving while impaired by alcohol, or under the influence of alcohol), it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the person was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, which caused the driver to either drive without due caution or it is proven the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) was at or above .08%. Where a driver's blood or breath alcohol content exceeds the legal limit, it is considered a violation of the "per se" law.

A police officer's statement, contained in a police report, is hearsay. However, California Evidence Code Section 1280 allows the statement in as an exception to the hearsay rule. Section 1280, titled "Record by public employee" reads:

Driving is one of the required elements of a DUI offense. Driving requires "volitional movement of a vehicle." In everyday usage the phrase, "to drive a vehicle," is understood as requiring evidence of purposeful, actual movement of a vehicle.

In order to be convicted of a DUI, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol. The types of evidence which normally support this charge are: driving pattern, physical appearance, performance on field sobriety tests, and the results of chemical tests. However, the fact is that many people can drive at or above the legal limit (at .08% BAC) and have a perfect driving pattern, none or few physical symptoms of intoxication, and perform the field sobriety tests with flying colors.

Forging a prescription is against the law. It is generally defined as the illegal acquisition of pharmaceuticals for personal use or profit. People commit prescription fraud in many ways, including going to multiple doctors for multiple prescriptions, and forging the quantity on the prescription to increase the quantity. The biggest factor driving prescription fraud is the increasing abuse and addiction to prescription drugs. Health and Safety Code Section 11368 defines the offense and the punishment, reading:

A police officer's statement, contained in a police report, is hearsay. However, California Evidence Code Section 1280 allows the statement in as an exception to the hearsay rule. Section 1280, titled "Record by public employee" reads:

Alcohol intoxication is a leading factor in motorcycle accidents and fatalities. Law enforcement officers have been trained to identify driving patterns that indicate a probability that a motorcyclist is driving while intoxicated. The driving patterns that police typically look for have been outlined by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The crime of battery occurs with the striking of someone, with intent to harm them. . California Penal Code Section 242 states, "A battery is any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another." It is a crime to commit a battery against a peace officer, whether they are on duty or off duty.

California is the nation's leader in drug arrests. A drug arrest causes major havoc in a person's life, because the penalties are harsh, with imprisonment in county jail or state prison. A drug arrest can follow a person through their whole life, because a criminal record lasts a lifetime. Although there are many different types of drugs, the most commonly prosecuted are:

It is illegal to grow, or cultivate, marijuana. The California criminal jury instructions gives guidance to the factors that the prosecution must prove in order to successfully convict someone of this offense.

When someone is charged with a DUI offense, there are two separate battles to fight: the DMV and the criminal court case. The DMV will suspend driving privileges within 30 days of an arrest for driving with an alleged blood alcohol content (BAC) over .08 percent, unless an Administrative Per Se (APS) hearing is requested within 10 days of the DUI arrest. The court case commences with the arraignment date, which is usually held within 45 days of arrest. Both cases are held in locations that are the closest, geographically, to the site of the initial

Possession for sales of illegal drugs may be classified as a misdemeanor, felony, or "wobbler." A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by a maximum of one year imprisonment in county jail. A felony is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison. Either of these classifications may include fines. A felony term in state prison may have a range of years for sentencing purposes.

The Downer case dealt with California Evidence Code section 1280, the official records hearsay exception. Hearsay involves any statement made outside of court, offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Forensic laboratory reports are hearsay, because they deal with events and statements that took place in a place outside of the courtroom, and are used to convict the defendant of a crime. However, forensic reports can be entered into evidence under the official records hearsay exception. Section 1280, titled "Record by public employee" states:

Not only is it illegal to possess methamphetamine or PCP, but it is also illegal to possess the ingredients with the intent to manufacture these drugs.

California Evidence Code Section 664 shifts the burden of proof to the DMV licensee to establish the nonexistence of one, or more, of the foundational requirements with regard to the police officer's sworn statement, except when it is clear that the trustworthiness is not established when the officer incorrectly reports all the facts in the sworn statement.