Fullerton California Criminal Defense Blog

Though car accidents can happen at any time, some drivers may especially struggle when driving during the early morning hours due to fatigue and lack of visibility, particularly when driving in an area known to those who live there as dangerous. Unfortunately, police say that two people are lucky they did not lose their lives in a recent accident in California. The driver, however, is now facing drunk driving accusations.

The incident reportedly happened during the early morning hours of a day in May. Reports claim that a 23-year-old male made an "unsafe turn." As result, his vehicle allegedly crashing through a fence into the backyard of a home. The vehicle almost went into the deep end of the home's pool, according to reports.

If you drive while under the influence of alcohol, you could face a DUI charge. If this is not your first offense or you harm others with your actions, you could end up facing a felony DUI charge.

You may not be aware of this, but California has some of the strictest DUI laws in the United States. A first offense alone will cost you up to $2,000 in fines and leave you in jail for at least 48 hours. Third or greater offenses within 10 years lead to up to 16 months in prison, over $18,000 in fines and an order to head to a local alcohol treatment program.

Many people from California and other areas of the country are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to protect others, including by joining the military. Unfortunately, many people who are deployed overseas will not return home in the same condition in which they left. While physical injuries are obvious, many members of the military suffer mentally as a result of their experience. Issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder can often have lifelong consequences. In fact, a mother in California speculates that the effects of PTSD are the only thing that could have prompted her son -- who is now charged with multiple counts of attempted murder --  to commit the crimes of which he is accused.

The incident that led to the 34-year-old man's arrest reportedly happened on a day in April. According to police, the man -- described in media reports as a former U.S. Army sharpshooter -- deliberately drove into a group of pedestrians on a crosswalk. Eight people were reportedly injured in the incident.

In California, drivers can face criminal charges if caught behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more. If convicted of drunk driving, drivers could face penalties that range from loss of driving privileges to time behind bars. Drunk driving is a serious criminal offense, and proposed changes to DUI laws could mean more people may face these charges in the future.

Two state lawmakers have recently proposed changes that could lower the BAC threshold for drunk driving to be .05. These lawmakers suggest that people who are technically not drunk according to legal standards could still be dangerous behind the wheel. By lowering BAC levels, they say the roads will be safer. Other groups plan to fight the proposed bill, saying that it would unnecessarily punish mindful, responsible drinkers.