A California man was arrested for suspected drunk driving in Petaluma on April 18 near a convenience store. A records check revealed that it was the man’s fourth violation for drunk driving within a 10-year period and that he was on probation at the time for previous felony drunk driving charges.
According to a Petaluma police officer, he spotted brush and other debris along with tracks from vehicle tires in the parking lot of a hardware store around midnight. The tracks led up over a curb and over the sidewalk on McDowell where the vehicle leaked fluid. By following the leaked fluid, the officer was led to a convenience store where the vehicle was parked with shrubbery pieces underneath its carriage.
The driver, a 30-year-old Petaluma resident, reportedly had to steady himself as he exited his Mustang. Allegedly, the driver said he had drunk as many as 12 beers at a friend’s house and was waiting there for a friend to assist in changing a tire.A record check showed that in addition to the three previous felony drunk driving convictions, his driver’s license had been suspended. In addition, he failed tests for field sobriety and exhibited a BAC level of 0.16 when tested. The driver was taken into custody and placed in the county jail and charged with violation of probation, suspected driving while intoxicated and driving with a license that had been suspended.
DUI charges may result in serious consequences including a driver’s license suspension, fines and jail time. An attorney defending a multiple repeat offender can face challenges, but counsel will often try to soften the penalties through a plea agreement with the prosecutor.
Source: Petaluma Patch, “Petaluma Man Arrested For Suspected 4th DUI In 10 Years,” April 19, 2016
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