San Mateo County (Redwood City) .31% BAC 2nd Offense DUI w/ Hit & Run Collision & Probation Violation
Feb 27, 2014OUTCOME: Hit & Run DISMISSED; Minimized DUI Punishment
Client was a woman in her 50's who was suffering from severe alcoholism when she collided with another vehicle in an intersection in San Bruno and continued on driving until she was found passed out in ... a grocery store parking lot. Client had no idea where she was and this was supported by her blood test result which came in a whopping .31% BAC. Complicating matters, client was on active DUI probation for her first offense DUI some 18 months previously. Although things looked bad in this case, client helped herself by getting help with a treatment program. Since the program was not residential, but instead outpatient, we were unable to get as much credit as we would like. Nevertheless, I settled the case today for a dismissal of the hit and run charges and client was sentenced to three years informal probation, fine of $1,300 (I asked for and received a $1,000 reduction from the court), 18 month DUI school, three years of an ignition interlock device ("IID") and 20 days of jail. Client would have been able to do the SWAP program in lieu of jail, but since she didn't live in San Mateo County, this was not a viable option and she elected for jail. Tough case, but in the end, I'm glad she got help, most importantly, without the tax payer fitting the bill.