San Diego DUI Lawyers Blog
San Diego City Attorney dismissed 15 drunk driving cases that involved former San Diego police officer, Anthony Arevalos, according to 760kfmb.com.
Arevalos, an 18 year veteran of the department, was arrested and charged with 18 felony counts, including false imprisonment, assault under the color of authority, sexual battery by restraint, and receiving a bribe for separate traffic stops between 2009 and 2011. The San Diego County District Attorney’s office anticipates filing more charges against him, bringing the total number of victims from six to eight, as reported by signonsandiego.com.
In 14 of the dismissed cases, it was alleged in the complaints that the blood alcohol level (BAC) of the defendants exceeded the legal limit of .08%. In the 15th case, the defendant was under 21 and her BAC was alleged to be .05%.
In California, under Vehicle Code section 23136, it is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater, as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test, to drive a vehicle. This is a zero tolerance law. If the under 21 driver submitted to a preliminary alcohol screening test (PAS), and the BAC was .01 percent or greater, their driving privilege will be suspended for one year.
Three other DUI cases involving Arevalos were not dismissed because the City Attorney did not need the former San Diego officer’s testimony to prove its case.
[This is a follow-up story previously blogged about on March 31st, 2011, on this site. See SD Cop Investigated Drunk Drivers Then Requested Sexual Favors, Open DUI Cases Dismissed?]
If you were arrested for drunk driving by former San Diego police officer Arevalos, hire the exclusively DUI defense firm that will aggressively defend your case. We offer a free, confidential consultation so you can learn about your legal options. Contact The Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman today at 619-260-1122 or use the “Contact Us” form on this page.