Los Angeles DUI Attorney BlogLong Beach DUI Penalties: A Cautionary Tale, as Former NBA Star Starts 20-Day Jail Sentence
Let’s get this straight: driving under the influence in Long Beach is a crime. A major one.
Depending on how you defend yourself (e.g. whether you consult with an experienced Long Beach criminal defense attorney or not), as well as the circumstances of your Long Beach DUI arrest, you can face truly horrific punishments, such as jail time. It doesn’t matter whether you are a celebrity, political superstar, rock star, or athlete.
Just ask Lindsey Lohan.
The latest proof that Long Beach DUIs can and will be punished — hugely — comes out of Pontiac, Michigan, where Jalen Rose, a former NBA player and ESPN analyst, started a 20-day jail sentence pursuant to his March arrest in West Bloomfield Township for DUI. According to an Associated Press article, “Rose crashed his sports utility vehicle… after drinking 6 large martinis. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty in May.” According to the AP story, the judge who sentenced Rose was known for “tough punishments.” 20 days behind bars is anything but light, especially since the analyst didn’t hurt anybody (expect for his car) in the disaster.
The story illustrates a truism about Long Beach DUI punishments. Namely, you can never identify in advance all the possible “X factors” that can lead to better (or worse) outcomes for your case. Here are some X factors, over which you have little to no control:
• Judge has a reputation of being unusually harsh;
• Police officer who arrested you (for whatever reason) has some sort of grudge;
• You can (or cannot) find compelling exonerating evidence;
• Your can (or cannot) win sympathy from a judge or mercy from prosecutors.
So there are so many factors outside of your control. Focusing on them can be depressing.
But fortunately, you can leverage factors within your control to get (probably) far better results than you likely realize is possible right now. In other words, don’t say: “this is all so unfair. The police, prosecutor, judge, [insert other villain here] is against me. I have no hope.”
Instead, focus on being resourceful. What is true about your situation now? What do you want out of your situation in terms of preventing punishments and protecting privileges and rights?
Once you are very, ultra clear about where you are and where you want to be, you can start collecting resources to achieve that reality faster and more efficiently.
One great potential resource is Attorney Michael Kraut of the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers (located in Long Beach at: 444 West Ocean, Suite 800 Long Beach, California 90802 Phone: (562) 531-7454) Mr. Kraut is an experienced former prosecutor who is often called upon as a legal expert by major media throughout the Southland. As a former prosecutor, he understands how other prosecutors think and react, and he can use his insight and knowledge to build a better case for you.
Let’s get this straight: driving under the influence in Long Beach is a crime. A major one.
Depending on how you defend yourself (e.g. whether you consult with an experienced Long Beach criminal defense attorney or not), as well as the circumstances of your Long Beach DUI arrest, you can face truly horrific punishments, such as jail time. It doesn’t matter whether you are a celebrity, political superstar, rock star, or athlete.
Just ask Lindsey Lohan.
The latest proof that DUIs can and will be punished — hugely — comes out of Pontiac, Michigan, where Jalen Rose, a former NBA player and ESPN analyst, started a 20-day jail sentence pursuant to his March arrest in West Bloomfield Township for DUI. According to an Associated Press article, “Rose crashed his sports utility vehicle… after drinking 6 large martinis. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty in May.” According to the AP story, the judge who sentenced Rose was known for “tough punishments.” 20 days behind bars is anything but light, especially since the analyst didn’t hurt anybody (expect for his car) in the disaster.
The story illustrates a truism about Long Beach DUI punishments. Namely, you can never identify in advance all the possible “X factors” that can lead to better (or worse) outcomes for your case. Here are some X factors, over which you have little to no control:
• Judge has a reputation of being unusually harsh;
• Police officer who arrested you (for whatever reason) has some sort of grudge;
• You can (or cannot) find compelling exonerating evidence;
• Your can (or cannot) win sympathy from a judge or mercy from prosecutors.
So there are so many factors outside of your control. Focusing on them can be depressing.
But fortunately, you can leverage factors within your control to get (probably) far better results than you likely realize is possible right now. In other words, don’t say: “this is all so unfair. The police, prosecutor, judge, [insert other villain here] is against me. I have no hope.”
Instead, focus on being resourceful. What is true about your situation now? What do you want out of your situation in terms of preventing punishments and protecting privileges and rights?
Once you are very, ultra clear about where you are and where you want to be, you can start collecting resources to achieve that reality faster and more efficiently.
One great potential resource is Attorney Michael Kraut of the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers (located in Long Beach at: 444 West Ocean, Suite 800 Long Beach, California 90802 Phone: (562) 531-7454) Mr. Kraut is an experienced former prosecutor who is often called upon as a legal expert by major media throughout the Southland. As a former prosecutor, he understands how other prosecutors think and react, and he can use his insight and knowledge to build a better case for you.