Marin DUI Lawyer Blog

On Monday morning a Petaluma Police Officer was responding to a crash around 1:30 a.m. when he was side swiped by a suspected drunk driver. Twenty six year old Keith Obryan Johnson failed to move out of the way when the officer pulled up behind him with his lights flashing and siren blaring. When the officer changed lanes to go around him, Mr. Johnson turned to the left and struck the officers police cruiser.

Neither the officer nor Mr. Johnson were injured in the crash. Mr. Johnson was arrested after the accident and booked into the Sonoma County Jail with a blood alcohol test result of .12%, more than the California limit of .08%. Monday's driving under the influence arrest was the second for Mr. Johnson in February 2010. He was arrested for a DUI, assault and battery, car theft, driving on a suspended license and violating his probation on February 6 in Rhonert Park.

Mr. Johnson could be charged with a third DUI as he was convicted of driving under the influence in 2008 and placed on probation. DUI in California is a priorable offense for ten years from the date of arrest. As such, anyone convicted of driving under the influence or driving with a .08% or above can have their sentence enhanced if they are convicted of any subsequent DUI in the next ten years.

A third offense DUI can be punished with probation including a minimum jail term of 120 days, fines of more than $2,000.00, and mandatory attendance at a DUI program of 18 or 30 months. The DMV can also revoke a third offender's driving privilege for 3 years and will require the installation of an ignition interlock device, IID, upon application for a restricted license.

Continue reading "Sonoma County man hits Cop car - Arrested for DUI" »

On Friday October 30th police responded to a call that a Disc Jockey had gotten into a dispute with the owner of a restaurant where he was to perform in the City of Sonoma. Officers were informed that the DJ, 28-year-old Scott Woebcke of Sonoma, had poured a pitcher of beer on an expensive turntable at Emmy's Spaghetti Shack on Broadway after getting into an argument with the proprietor.

When police responded they found Mr. Woebcke agitated and yelling in the street. They then got word that someone had entered Shiso restaurant on Broadway, damaged some property and attacked restaurant owner and chef Ed Metcalf as he tried to subdue the vandal. Police took Mr. Woebcke to both restaurants and he was identified as the suspect who soaked the turntable and committed battery on Mr. Metcalf.

Mr. Woebcke was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, battery and for being drunk in public. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail. If convicted for the felony he faces the possibility of going to state prison, or being placed on probation with possible county jail time. In California battery and being drunk in public are both misdemeanors and carry potential jail sentences, fines and could result in court ordered alcohol or anger management classes.

Continue reading "Sonoma man arrested for drunkenness, battery and vandalism." »