California Criminal Attorney Blog

Jessica Shekell, 21, of Fullerton is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol when she headed the wrong way on the 91 freeway crashing head-on into a San Bernardino family.

Shekell’s SUV travelled west on the eastbound FasTrak lane of the 91 when the crashed happened around 3:00 a.m. Monday. Shekell struck a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado carrying the Miguel family. Sally Miguel 44, the driver and Patricia Miguel, 30 the front seat passenger were killed. Two other minor passengers were taken UCI and Western Medical Center.

Shekell was taken to UCI Medical Center and is expected to face charges of DUI and possibly vehicular manslaughter. If Shekell has any prior Driving While Intoxicated convictions, she can face 2nd Degree Murder charges with a possible life sentence.

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Charee harris, 29 of Fullerton plead guilty to an Orange County judge on Friday to two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated. She will be sentenced on November 6, 2009 and is expected to get 6 years in state prison.

On January 12, 2008, Harris while under the influence of methamphetamine was speeding on the 91 freeway when she fell asleep behind the wheel of her sports utility vehicle and crashed into a fence and utility pole. Her daughter Zharia Keheian, 2 and her boyfriend Alfred Flores, 27 were killed.

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A Ladera Ranch man was in Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach facing arraignment on one count of Penal Code Section 191.5, Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence While Intoxicated. Richard Ernest Casselli, 37 faces up to 10 years in state prison if convicted. The arraignment was continued to November 9, 2009 and Casselli remains free $100,000 bail.

Prosecutors allege, Casselli was behind the wheel of his Volvo travelling over 100 mph on the 73 toll road when he crashed into Brook Boynton, 52. The force of the crash caused Boynton’s Nissan SUV to spin out of control and roll, ejecting him onto the right shoulder. Boynton later died of his injuries.

Caselli was contacted by police at the scene of the crash and exhibited symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. After a further DUI investigation, Caselli was arrested and transported to Orange County Jail.

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All law enforcement agencies in Orange County are preparing for Labor Day weekend by staging DUI checkpoints and beefing up patrols starting August 28th.

• DUI Checkpoint – Friday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.–3 a.m., Fullerton
• DUI Checkpoint – Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m.–3 a.m., Dana Point
• Task force operation – Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m.–2 a.m., La Habra
• Saturation patrols – Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m.–3 a.m., County of Orange
• DUI Checkpoint – Saturday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m.–3 a.m., Anaheim
• DUI Checkpoint – Friday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.–3 a.m., Irvine
• Saturation patrols – Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m. – 3 a.m., County of Orange
• Saturation patrols – Sunday, Sept. 6, 8 p.m. – 3 a.m., County of Orange
• Saturation patrols – Friday, Aug. 21, through Monday, Sept. 7

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Lt. Erin Guidice, the former Harbormaster was charged with VC 23152 (a) Driving Under the Influence and VC 23152(b) Driving with a Blood Alcohol Level of .08 or above for a traffic related incident in April.

On April 14, 2009, Guidice was driving an unmarked sheriff’s vehicle north on the 5 freeway when she rear-ended a car stopped on the Jamboree off-ramp. When the Irvine Police Department arrived on scene they found Guidice had bloodshot and watery eyes, poor balance and slurred speech. They conducted field sobriety tests (FST’s) and arrested her at the scene. A chemical test determined her BAC to be .14.

Guidice has been reassigned to the Orange County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on June 19, 2009 at Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

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At Pilchman & Kay, PLC, we realize the residents of Orange County are feeling the economic recession as much as anyone. We have spoken to many potential clients who have either had to hire an attorney they didn’t like, simply because the price was right, utilize the services of the public defender, or had to borrow money to pay for a top notch attorney. Thus, we decided to significantly reduce our legal fees for all Orange County 1st time DUI clients so that they can have a top DUI attorney handle their case and not have to go broke in the process.

This means, you can have a nationally recognized DUI lawyer represent you in all court proceedings and DMV hearings. In fact, in most cases you will never have to see the inside of a courtroom. What this $975.00 fee does not include is trial, re-trial, appeals, expert witnesses and lab analysis of blood test.

Courtney E. Pilchman and Anita A. Kay have handled thousands of DUI cases as former prosecutors and now as criminal defense attorneys. They have the reputation as DUI lawyers who actually do research current changes in the law and write their own legal motions. They are experienced, professional, tough and very well regarded in the Orange County legal community. So, if you are in need of one of the top OC DUI lawyers at a price you can afford, call or email now and we can set up an appointment for a free consultation.

Why did we choose to reduce our fees for 1st time DUI’s? The answer is simple. Driving under the influence, for the most part is something that is done without any criminal intent. It is a crime that affects doctors, lawyers, judges, politicians, teachers, and stay-at-home moms. Good people get arrested for driving while intoxicated every day in Orange County. In fact, those good people that are arrested learn their lesson and most don’t repeat the behavior.

Summer is a busy time for local police agencies. They typically set up DUI checkpoints in beach cities, knowing that the weather and local bars bring people to the beach. Thus, a lot of DUI arrests are made throughout Orange County. Simple traffic violations or failing to signal is all a police officer needs to pull you over and do a DUI investigation.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Irvine or any other city in Orange County, call now and speak to our top DUI attorney. We have the experience and skill to evaluate your case, file any appropriate motions and negotiate with DA’s and judges.

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Oscar Omar Guerca, 30 of Santa Ana plead guilty to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, hit and run with injury and fleeing the scene of an accident. He was sentenced by Commissioner Leininger to 16 years in state prison for the crash that killed Marco Antonio Aguilar, 33.

Guerca was travelling down the 55 freeway near Chapman Ave when he approached a Caltrans crew. Caltrans had placed warning for motorists to slow down for the work crew but Guerca failed to heed those warnings.

Aguilar, who had slowed to approximately 15 mph for the freeway work crew was killed instantly when he was struck from behind by Guerca. Guerca’s vehicle was determined to be going 96 mph at the time of impact and witnesses say he didn’t slow or swerve before making contact with Aguilar. Once Guerca struck Aguilar, he fled the scene on foot.

Aguilar was a married father of two and was returning home to his family when he was killed. Police determined Guerca’s blood alcohol level to be .13 two hours after the crash.

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Quinton ”Rampage” Jackson known within the Ultimate Fighting world as a champion fighter was charged with two felony counts of felony evading stemming from a police chase.

Jackson, who lives in Irvine was also charged with several misdemeanor hit-and-run charges causing property damage and misdemeanor reckless driving. If convicted on all charges, Jackson faces a possible three years in state prison.

Jackson was arraigned in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana and bail was set at $250,000.

According to reports, Jackson was driving his truck on the 55 freeway when he crashed his truck into two cars at the end of the 55 and 19th Street.

According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, witnesses say they saw Jackson on a cell phone and weaving while driving. When an officer pulled up behind Jackson and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Jackson sped away.

Moments later, Jackson crashed into another vehicle, drove into oncoming traffic and jumped a curb causing pedestrians who were waiting for a bus to scatter.

Holli Griggs, a resident of Huntington Beach was driving a Cadillac Escalade and was one of the vehicles hit by Jackson. Griggs, later suffered a miscarriage, however, the OC District Attorney’s Office says the miscarriage was not a result of the crash.

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Thomas Turnour, of Victorville was sentenced to 17 years in prison for a DUI crash that killed three people. Turnour, won $10 million in the California Lottery in 2001 and has settled a civil suit with the victims’ families for $2 million.

On May 5, 2005, Turnour was driving a 2005 GMC pickup about 4:30 p.m. when he hit the back of a Ford Taurus stopped at a red light, police have said. The impact pushed the Taurus into two other vehicles, collapsing the rear and front of the car. Inside were five family members on their way to visit relatives.

Killed in the gruesome crash were Guadalupe Luna, 22, Guadalupe Luna, 59, and Lucila Palafox, 39.

Turnour accepted a plea agreement where he plead guilty to three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one count of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury

This was not Turnour’s first brush with the law. In 1985, he was sent to prison for pleading guilty to possession for sale of marijuana. In 1988, he was convicted of arson where he served 2 months in jail. Also in 1988 he was convicted of misdemeanor burglary.

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Shia LaBeouf was arrested July 27, 2008 in Los Angeles on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was involved in a car accident where he sustained injuries. According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Sgt. Wolf, LaBeouf was the driver of the vehicle involved in the early morning crash.

Sgt. Wolf said "It was immediately apparent to officers responding on the scene that LaBeouf was intoxicated and he was subsequently placed under arrest," and that LaBeouf was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for injuries to his head, hand and knee.

The female passenger and driver of the other car that collided with LaBeouf were not injured. Wolf did not know the identities of LeBeouf's passenger or the other driver.

LaBeouf, 22 was booked on misdemeanor DUI charges and has a future court date.

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Now that we have officially have entered summer, police officers all over Orange County, especially Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Irvine are on the prowl for people driving under the influence of alcohol. Remember, it is not illegal to consume an amount of alcohol and drive but it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) says it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence. Under the influence can be alcohol, drugs or prescription drugs.

Vehicle Code Section 23152(b) says it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle if you blood alcohol level is .08 or above.

Orange County is tough on crime, especially multiple DUI offenders. Remember, to always drink responsibly and always have a designated driver if you don’t. If you have had DUI within the last ten years and are involved in an auto related DUI accident, you could be charged with serious felonies and face possible prison time.

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The wife of rapper Snoop Dogg was arrested in Fullerton California on suspicion of driving under the influence. Shante Brodus who is married to Snoop was arrested on June 14, 2008 about 12:15 a.m. She was booked, released and scheduled for a future court date. No further information on blood alcohol level or the reason for the stop have been provided by the Fullerton Police Department or the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

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Irvine, California elementary principal Nancy Bower was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence or what is known as DUI. Ms. Bower was driving on Jamboree and San Joaquin in Newport Beach on Saturday night when she was involved in a traffic accident. No serious injuries were reported and nobody was taken to the hospital but the victims, both of Newport Beach, did report neck pain.

Ms. Bower, was placed on administrative leave and will not finish out the school year at Westwood Basics Plus.

Typically, we don’t provide commentary on our blogs, however today, we make an exception. Ms. Bower, like so many other residents of Orange County, California are arrested for Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) and 23152(b) or DUI. And, 99.9% of those arrested are never “outed” by the local news.

It is my opinion that a first time DUI should be treated as a civil matter, not a criminal matter. Many people do not know the difference between a .07 BAC and a .08 BAC. Many people do not know between being ok to drive or being impaired for purposes of driving. Many people do not know their limits.

In Ms. Bower’s case, there was no indication that this was anything other than a first time DUI. But now, her personal matter has become public because she happens to be a principal of a school? Why does her profession warrant a news story? It doesn’t!

It is sad this personal matter, while serious, has become public because the ramifications for her are likely to be huge. The Irvine school board will probably meet to discuss her employment. She could lose her job, her career, her passion to inspire children. I don’t know what type of principal Ms. Bower is, but hopefully the teachers and parents will rally around her and she starts the 2008 school year as the principal of Westwood Basics.

Everybody listen up……it is not illegal to drink alcohol and drive. It is illegal to drive while impaired. Don’t take chances, if you have more than two drinks, take a cab or find a designated driver.

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Former “Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel was arrested on a warrant for driving under the influence in Newport Beach. Ms. Fischel has been charged with DUI in Los Angeles County and while she was visiting the Orange County beach city, the car she was riding in was stopped. Upon further investigation, Newport Beach police officers located a warrant for her arrest on the drunk driving charges. She was released from custody soon after her arrest

This arrest comes on the heels of newly signed legislation by Governor Schwarzenegger to crack down on DUI offenders. There were five bills signed to strengthen DWI laws and prevent drunk driving in Orange County and all other California counties. Starting January 1, 2009, AB 1165, one of the new bills signed will make it unlawful for any person on probation for a DUI conviction to drive or operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .01% or greater. These new bills were designed to prevent minors from obtaining any alcohol and provide tools for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to hammer those convicted of driving while intoxicated.

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