San Diego Law Blog

Fentanyl Criminality in the Media

By San Diego Attorney on December 30, 2022

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic, like morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more powerful. It is a schedule II prescription drug and is typically used to treat patients with severe chronic pain or to help manage pain after an accident or surgery. Fentanyl can be administered via injection, patch, or tablet. It is also sometimes used illicitly as a recreational drug. Fentanyl can be extremely dangerous; even a small dose can cause respiratory depression and death.

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Strange DUIs Involving Unique Vehicles

By San Diego Attorney on December 15, 2022

A DUI is a criminal offense that occurs when a person operates a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can include driving while under the influence of prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, illegal drugs, or alcohol. A DUI can also occur when a person has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. If a person is convicted of a DUI, they may face penalties such as fines, jail time, and the suspension of their driver’s license.

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What Are DUIs with No Proof of Driving?

By San Diego Attorney on December 5, 2022

DUIs without proof of driving are called “DUIs by discovery.” This is when the arresting officer finds no evidence that the driver was operating the vehicle. The most common type of DUI by discovery is when the driver is found sleeping behind the wheel. The driver may be charged with a DUI if the officer believes that the driver was intoxicated at the time of an incident.

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Can You Get a DUI if You’re in an Accident That Isn’t Your Fault?

By San Diego Attorney on November 25, 2022

Suppose you meet some friends for dinner at a restaurant and have a few drinks with your meal. Then, as you are driving home (extra cautiously), someone runs a red light and T-bones your vehicle. When the police arrived to investigate the crash, can you get a DUI?

The short answer is yes. If you were over the legal limit, you could be charged with driving under the influence, even if the other driver caused the accident.

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Do I Need a Lawyer Even if I’m Planning on Pleading Guilty?

By San Diego Attorney on November 15, 2022

If you are facing criminal charges, there are plenty of reasons to retain a lawyer, even if you are planning to plead guilty. Under our country’s criminal justice system, everyone deserves a vigorous defense. Even if you plead guilty to a crime, you are entitled to fair process, a just sentence, and protection of your rights under the Constitution. It is in your best interests to speak with an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

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How Do Police Officers Measure DUI Impairment from Drugs

By San Diego Attorney on November 5, 2022

Aside from DUI checkpoints, police in California need reasonable suspicion to pull you over – facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has taken place or will take place, and that further investigation is warranted. If you were weaving excessively, driving erratically, ran a stop sign, or had a brake light out or a cracked windshield, you may be subjected to a traffic stop. Once they pull you over, officers will be looking for signs of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

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What Are the Levels of Fentanyl Charges You Could Be Facing?

By San Diego Attorney on October 20, 2022

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, similar to morphine, but 50 to 100 times more potent, as stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is a prescription medication, used to treat patients with severe pain, particularly after surgery, or patients with chronic pain who cannot tolerate other opioids. As a prescription medication, fentanyl is sold under names such as Durgesic, Actiq, and Sublimaze.

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Common Mistakes Officers Make at DUI Checkpoints

By San Diego Attorney on October 10, 2022

Police routinely set up DUI checkpoints in an effort to catch people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Unlike normal traffic stops, they do not need probable cause to stop you at a checkpoint. Although these roadblocks are permitted under California law, police are required to follow specific guidelines. When they fail to do so, defendants arrested at a checkpoint have grounds to challenge the arrest.

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Domestic Violence in LGBTQ+ Relationships

By San Diego Attorney on October 1, 2022

In the past, domestic violence awareness has been primarily focused on heterosexual relationships. However, researchers found that participants who identified as gay or lesbian reported higher domestic violence and sexual violence rates than heterosexuals in a recent CDC study. In fact, gay men and bisexual women are more likely to experience severe physical domestic violence than straight people, as reported by HRC.

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What If You Damage Property While DUI?

By San Diego Attorney on September 25, 2022

Driving under the influence, or DUI is considered an offense in the state of California. It is extremely dangerous to drive while experiencing the effects of alcohol, as it can alter your brain and your ability to function normally.

As DUIs often involve reckless driving, there is a possibility that you may damage property while driving under the influence. While DUIs alone can have a myriad of consequences, causing damage to someone’s property while driving intoxicated can worsen the penalties you may face.

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