Authorities in Berkeley say that a 52-year-old woman was taken into custody for DUI and a variety of other charges. Police initiated a traffic stop at about 11:13 a.m. on June 25 after an officer noticed a vehicle going the wrong way on Jamaica Boulevard. In addition to allegedly being impaired, the woman was discovered to be driving without a license.
She was taken to a local jail and charged with DUI, careless driving and reckless driving. The woman also faces charges related to failure to show a valid driver’s license, auto coverage and proof of insurance. Authorities say that the woman was released pending a future court appearance and that her car was towed.
Drivers who are charged with driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol could face jail time, a fine or the possibility of a license suspension. In the event that a driver is found to be operating a motor vehicle without a license or on a suspended license, a driver may face jail time or probation. A judge may also require a driver to spend time performing community service or sentence a driver to house confinement as part of his or her sentence.
As the consequences for a conviction on a charge of drunk driving could be serious, it may be worthwhile to consult with an criminal defense attorney in order to help create a strategy to combat the charge. For instance, it may be possible to challenge the results of the field sobriety or other tests. This may be enough to obtain a plea deal in the case, which could reduce or eliminate some or all of the penalties that a defendant may be facing.
Source: Berkeley Patch, “Holiday City Woman Charged With Drunk Driving After Going The Wrong Way On Jamaica Boulevard”, Patricia A. Miller, July 2, 2015
