Criminal Defense

Brittany Deanne Schuetz, 21, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the DUI murder of April Junhee Whang, a 26-year-old Fullerton woman in 2009. Schuetz had previously been convicted of drunk driving in 2007 and had completed subsequent alcohol education programs.

On New Year’s Eve 2009, Schuetz sped through a red light and struck Whang’s car, killing her instantly. When police arrived, they reported the smell of alcohol on Scheutz’s breath. They also noticed bloodshot and watery eyes. Her blood alcohol content was measured as 0.24, three times the legal limit. Earlier that evening, Schuetz had consumed alcohol at a party and was driven to her car. Schuetz then got into her car and drove home, ignoring her friends’ please to not drive. Because of this, Schuetz was convicted of second-degree murder in February under the legal theory that she knew driving under the influence was dangerous to life because of her prior drunk driving conviction but did it anyway.

Under the California Vehicle Code 23152, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or any combination thereof. It is also illegal under this section to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more. In most DUI cases, the judge and prosecuting attorney are much more likely to increase punishment when there is an accident involved. The punishment is also likely to be more severe when there is significant damage done or when a work-related vehicle is involved.

If you or a loved one have been arrested for DUI, you should speak with a DUI attorney as soon as possible. An experienced DUI defense lawyer can provide you with the best advice on how to proceed with your case and present the best defense. At Wallin & Klarich, we have represented people accused of DUI for over 30 years. Call us at 888-280-6839 or visit us at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

Orange County, California is home to Disneyland, the NHL’s Ducks franchise, the Angels, and other attractions. Crime in Anaheim varies from minor offenses to murder, and everything in between. One of the most common crimes people are charged with in Anaheim is DWI. DWI patrols after Angels and Ducks games are common. Police also regularly patrol the streets looking for those driving while under the influence. If you are stopped and arrested for DWI, it is important to hire an Orange County DUI attorney with knowledge of California DUI laws.

The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich are intimately familiar with fighting DUI charges in Anaheim, and aggressively represent their clients in court and at the DMV. When charged with DUI, many people are left feeling confused and overwhelmed regarding their rights and the serious consequences they may face. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled DUI defense attorneys have been defending the rights of those accused of driving under the influence for over 30 years. We work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome on behalf of our clients so that our clients stay out of jail and retain their driving privileges.

Our DUI Anaheim Orange County defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich are prepared to handle every aspect of your case. Because the defense of your case depends entirely on your unique facts, it is critical that someone charged with DUI in Orange County immediately contact an experienced DUI defense attorney. Our DUI defense attorneys will examine the circumstances of your DUI arrest in order to provide you with the best possible defense. Call Wallin & Klarich 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a free case evaluation at 1-888-764-2615 or visit www.wklaw.com and www.wklawdui.com. We will be there when you call.

It was recently reported that the California legislature amended existing DUI (driving under the influence) laws in accordance with the procedures for obtaining a restricted driver’s license. The new amended provisions will go into effect on July 1, 2010.

New provisions will require the DMV to advise a person who has been convicted of an alcohol-related DUI offense for the first or second time to apply for a restricted driver’s license after completing 90 days of a license suspension period.

If individuals have received their third alcohol-related DUI conviction within 10 years, they might be eligible to apply for a restricted driver’s license after completing 6 months of a driver’s license revocation period. This application for a restricted license will be subject to certain conditions, including a requirement that individuals must show proof of enrolment in an 18-month or 30-month DUI program, as prescribed by the law.

If you or a loved one was arrested for DUI, it is essential to contact an experienced San Bernardino DUI attorney who can provide clarity and quality representation in your DUI matter. Wallin & Klarich has over 30 years of experience successfully representing clients in DUI cases. Call us at (888) 764-2615 to speak to one of Wallin & Klarich’s aggressive and experienced DUI attorneys today. Please visit us at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

The city of San Diego is the ninth largest city in the United States and is nestled along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. The area of San Diego has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years by the Kumeyaay Indians, and is a major cultural hub on the West Coast.

Although San Diego is regarded as a particularly safe community, driving under the influence (DUI) stops and arrests are common. Someone accused of DUI in San Diego will need the help of an experienced San Diego DUI defense attorney. When charged with DUI in San Diego, many people are left feeling confused and overwhelmed regarding their rights and the serious consequences they may face. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled San Diego DUI defense attorneys have been defending the rights of those accused of driving under the influence for over 30 years. We work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome on behalf of our clients so that our clients stay out of jail and retain their driving privileges.

At Wallin & Klarich, our criminal defense attorneys have years of experience defending those accused of driving under the influence in San Diego and are prepared to study every aspect of your case. Our DUI defense San Diego attorneys will zealously represent you in court and at your DMV hearing to help save your license. Our DUI attorneys will examine the circumstances of your DUI arrest in order to provide you with the best possible defense. Call Wallin & Klarich 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a case evaluation at 1-888-764-2615 or visit us at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

In recent years, Super Bowl Sunday has become notorious for being the number one day for drunk driving-related incidents in California. In 2009, 11 people were killed and 163 people were injured in drunk driving accidents on Super Bowl Sunday. These figures are three and two times the normal daily average for the state. For the 2010 Super Bowl, county-wide police forces throughout California decided to increase its DUI patrols and checkpoints to prevent these accidents. Large concentrations of police in patrol areas and checkpoints are known as “saturation patrols,” and they are made to deter any potential criminal activity in areas where crime might occur. Nevertheless, in Orange County alone, more than 40 arrests for DUI were made during Super Bowl Sunday for 2010.

In California, a DUI conviction can result in a jail sentence, thousands of dollars in fines, and a license suspension. Multiple convictions will significantly increase these punishments.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DUI, contact our experienced San Diego DUI attorneys at Wallin and Klarich as soon as possible. Our knowledgeable and skilled San Diego DUI attorneys can help you through the complex court system surrounding DUI charges. Our attorneys will ensure that your rights are protected and that you understand the options available to you. Contact us today to begin working on your DUI defense. Call 1-888-764-2615 to speak to one of Wallin & Klarich’s aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorneys. Please visit us at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

It was recently reported that police in Illinois arrested Betty Burden, a school bus driver, for felony DUI. Police reported that Burden was pulled over while she was operating a school bus and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.226, which is nearly three times the legal limit. More importantly, Burden was pulled over after having just dropped off 50 elementary school children ranging in ages from 5 years old to 12 years old.

Just like in Illinois, California punishes individuals who drive under the influence. Under California Vehicle Code section 23152(a), it is against the law for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug to drive a vehicle. Furthermore, California Vehicle Code section 23152(b) makes it unlawful for a person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle. Therefore, if you are driving a vehicle and are pulled over by a police officer with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, you will be arrested with a DUI.

If you or a loved one is facing charges for driving under the influence, contact our Southern California DUI attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. Wallin & Klarich will help protect your rights and find the best defense strategy for your case. For over 30 years, our attorneys have been helping clients keep their driver’s license and maintain the ability to continue driving, especially for those who need their driver’s license as a condition of their employment. Please call us at (888) 764-2615 or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

It was recently reported that GOP State Senator Roy Ashburn was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). Senator Ashburn represents the 18th district of California, which includes Kern, Tulare, Inyo, and San Bernardino counties. Police pulled Ashburn over in Sacramento around 2:00 A.M. During their investigation, it was determined that Ashburn’s blood alcohol content was 0.14 percent, 0.06 percent above the legal limit of 0.08. Ashburn was subsequently arrested for drunk driving. The state-issued car Ashburn was driving at the time of his arrest was also impounded.

Under California Vehicle Code section 23152(a) it is against the law for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug to drive a vehicle. Furthermore, California Vehicle Code section 23152(b) makes it unlawful for a person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle. Ashburn will likely be charged with a violation of both Vehicle Code sections 23152(a) and 23152(b).

If you or a loved one is facing charges for driving under the influence, contact our Southern California DUI attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. Wallin & Klarich will help protect your rights and find the best defense strategy for your case. For over 30 years, our attorneys have been helping clients keep their driver’s license and maintain the ability to continue driving. Please call us at (888) 764-2615 or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

It was recently reported that Vincent Jackson, wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers football team, pled guilty to his second driving under the influence (DUI) offense. Jackson was pulled over and cited for DUI in January of this year. Jackson was sentenced to five years probation, four days in jail, a $2,408 fine, 10 days of community service, mandatory attendance in a MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) class, and involvement in the state’s multiple conviction program, which lasts at least 18 months.

Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are regulated under California Vehicle Code Section 23152. Driving under the influence is normally charged as a misdemeanor (though DUI can be charged as a felony if someone is injured in the crime). A second DUI conviction in 10 years results in an extremely harsh sentence. Very few misdemeanor convictions carry a mandatory jail sentence. While the minimum jail sentence is four days, some judges impose a harsher jail sentence, including 30, 60, and even 90 day jail sentences.

The aggressive Southern California criminal defense lawyers at Wallin & Klarich have been defending the rights of those facing criminal charges such as DUI for over 30 years. We know what it takes to ensure that you keep your driver’s license and may be able to get your DUI charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact Wallin & Klarich today to learn more about how we can help. Call 888-764-2615 or visit www.wklaw.com for more information. We will be there when you call.

Sobriety checkpoints in California are increasingly turning into profitable operations for local police departments. They are far more likely to seize cars from unlicensed motorists than catch drivers under the influence.

According to the Orange County Register, an investigation by the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley with California Watch has found that impounds at checkpoints in 2009 generated an estimated $40 million in towing fees and police fines. This revenue is divided amongst cities and towing firms. Police officers received about $30 million in overtime pay for DUI crackdowns in 2009.

Law enforcement officials and tow truck operators stated that vehicles are predominantly taken from minorities. Sobriety checkpoints often screen traffic within or near Hispanic neighborhoods. Cities where Hispanics represent a majority of the population are seizing cars at three times the rate of cities with small minority populations.

The seizures defy a 2005 federal appellate court ruling that determined police cannot impound cars solely because the driver is unlicensed. In fact, police across California have impounded more than 24,000 vehicles at checkpoints – the percentage of vehicle seizures has increased 53 percent compared with 2007.

Make sure your rights are accurately and aggressively defended. If your vehicle has been seized, or you are charged with DUI or driving without a license, you should contact the experienced Southern California criminal defense law firm of Wallin & Klarich. Our attorneys have been helping those accused of crimes for more than 30 years. Wallin & Klarich has the legal resources and knowledge to assist you in obtaining a successful outcome. Call Wallin & Klarich today at 888-764-2615 or visit www.wklaw.com to find out more about how we can help. We will be there when you call.

KTLA gave the details of Rip Torn’s recent arrest in Salisbury, Connecticut. The story reported that Torn was allegedly extremely intoxicated when he broke into the Litchfield Bancorp Bank through a window while carrying a loaded .22-caliber revolver in his pocket.

He is currently facing the following charges stemming from the incident: Criminal trespass, carrying a gun without a permit, carrying a gun while intoxicated, burglary and criminal mischief. Police stated that Torn thought he was in his own home and not in the bank. He didn’t threaten anyone with the gun during the event. Torn has previously been charged with DUI charges; once in Connecticut and twice in New York. His attorney was quoted as saying, “There’s an alcohol issue that needs to be addressed.” The attorney also said that Torn will be going into a New York alcohol rehab center soon.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges such as any of the above, it is critical that you talk to an experienced attorney. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience in handling all criminal matters, including alcohol-related cases. Our Southern California drunk in public defense attorneys will guide you through the complex criminal court system ensuring that you understand your rights and fight to get you the best possible result in your case. Call us at (888) 764-2615 or visit us on our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.