From Traffic Ticket to Deductible Donation
July 28, 2010 by Ashley22 · 8 Comments
In an effort to save time and move “minor” cases through the system more quickly, courts throughout the country are now offering ticketed drivers the option of donating money to a charity in lieu of their fine. This option actually reduces the cost of a traffic ticket by allowing those who choose to take advantage of it the opportunity to write it off when paying taxes. Cash is generally required when choosing this option.
Drug Lab Fallout – Prosecutors Can’t Win DUI Case
May 19, 2010 by Ashley22 · 3 Comments
A San Francisco DUI trial has resulted in a hung jury, exposing trouble that prosecutors are having in securing convictions because of a disgraced drug-lab in the area. Robert P. Thomas, already had at least 2 DUI convictions when he was pulled over and charged with a third in May 2008. However, the last person to conduct a routine check on the BAC testing machine (which was used on Thomas at the time of his arrest) originally said the machines were faulty, but then later decided they worked properly. Additionally, that same lab-technician, Deborah Madden, has alcohol-related problems and had admitted to stealing “leftover cocaine.” Madden later said she was “just part of larger problems at the crime lab.” That left her boss to testify about the accuracy of the BAC equipment, and prosecutors unable to secure a conviction.
1,600 Arrested So Far in Bay Area DUI Crackdown
December 30, 2009 by Ashley22 · 6 Comments
Due to a regional crackdown on DUI’s, there have been over 1,600 DUI related arrests in the bay area over the past 12 days. The crackdown called “Avoid” began on December 18th. The County breakdown of the “crackdown” comes out like this: Alameda County – 575, Santa Clara County – 442, Contra Costa County – 187, Sonoma County – 139, San Mateo – 137, San Francisco – 65, Marin County – 38, Napa County – 32, and Solano County – 25. Congratulations, Alameda County – you are the winner.
