Being charged with drunken driving is no laughing matter, even in a circumstance where a California driver was stopped for unwittingly driving down the wrong side of the road. The driver’s night only got worse after he was arrested for both drunken driving and possession of cocaine.
On March 2, 2018, A Marin County patrol sergeant witnessed the defendant travel through the intersection of North San Pedro and Civic Center Drive. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the defendant’s vehicle twice hit the center divider before coming to rest facing the wrong direction. The officer immediately pulled the defendant over and upon making contact smelled alcohol emanating from the defendant’s car. When questioned about hitting the center divider the defendant claimed his windshield had fogged up to the point where the defendant couldn’t see out of it.
The officer then had the man step out of the car and perform field sobriety tests. After failing the sobriety tests, the man was taken into custody by the California highway patrol. When taken into custody the officers found cocaine, money, and a scale in the vehicle. The defendant was charged driving while intoxicated and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
A charge of driving while intoxicated is a serious offense. If convicted, a driver can face jail time, hefty fines, and a suspension of their driving privileges. A driver can also face additional punishment including mandatory public service and alcohol treatment classes. It is imperative that any individual charged with driving while intoxicated contact a lawyer immediately. An attorney with experience in criminal defense law may be able to help. A lawyer may be able to negotiate a favorable plea agreement or even get some charges reduced or dismissed. In some instances where a plea deal isn’t possible, an attorney may defend that individual at trial by holding the state’s witnesses accountable on the witness stand.