December 30, 2011 – Dennis Malavasi of Huntington Beach, convicted of driving under the influence 13 times, found himself behind bars again this week when he skipped out of his Court ordered treatment program.  Malavasi was arrested on warrants issued after he checked himself out of the treatment program.

Malavasi’s, son of post Los Angeles Rams coach Ray Malavasi, drunk driving record begins all the way back in 1976.  His 13^th conviction was this past year when authorities found him slumped over in his idling pickup truck with a half-empty bottle of malt liquor by his side.  This offense was just shy of ten years from his last DUI conviction.  California law allows a prior DUI conviction to be alleged if the prior conviction occurred within ten years of the new offense date; thus, this last offense was sentenced as 2^nd offense DUI.

A DUI conviction brings serious consequences which can include jail time, fines, mandatory enrollment in an alcohol program, work release, house arrest, and installation of an ignition interlock device.  If you have been arrested for a DUI, it is vital you contact a skilled DUI defense attorney today.  A competent DUI defense attorney will review your case and start building your defense today.  Contact the Parker Law Center for a free consultation!

December 5, 2011 – Former Miss USA, Rima Fakih, may soon be facing driving under the influence charges after being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence this past weekend in Highland Park, Michigan.  The 26 year old beauty queen reportedly tried to initially deny this allegation by tweeting on Saturday: “Let’s clear things up now…. I’m NOT in Michigan and I’m NOT in jail! Wrong Fakih.”  However Ms. Fakih’s attorney, Doraid Elder, confirmed her arrest on Sunday and stated she is “very saddened and very apologetic for the situation that she is in right now.”

In May 2010, Fakih became the first Arab American to ever win the Miss USA title, as well as, the first Miss Michigan to win since 1993.  Controversy is not something new for Fakih.  The day after winning her Miss USA title, photos surfaced of her participating in a “Stripper 101” contest at a Detroit, Michigan gentlemen’s club just 3 years prior.  She also faced scrutiny for her late-night partying while reining queen.

Police have offered no details into her recent arrest.  Attorney Elder stresses that the arrest was based solely on mere allegations.  Highland Park police will continue further investigation in the coming weeks.

If you or someone you love is arrested for DUI, it is imperative that you retain an experienced DUI attorney immediately.  Contact the Parker Law Center today for a free consultation today!

The 2011 Summer/Labor Day Avoid Anti- DUI task forces numbers are in regarding DUI arrests across the state.  The crackdown period ran for 18 days from 12:01 AM on August 19, 2011 to 12:00 AM September 5, 2011.

In Los Angeles County, 2,795 individuals were arrested for DUI, a statistic that may seem startling but is a reduction from 2010’s statistic of 3,141 individuals being arrested during that same time period.  Orange County however increased the number of those arrested for DUI during the crackdown this year with 856 people vs. 665 people in 2010.  Additionally, there was also one death resulting from an impaired driver in Orange County.  Riverside County also increased the number of DUI arrests made during this time period from 759 this year vs. 693 in 2010.  This county also experienced one fatality resulting from DUI during the 18 day campaign.  The increased arrests may be due to more aggressive enforcement according to Deputy Wayne Howard of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Ventura County only dropped its arrest number by 8, with 300 arrested this year vs. 308 in 2010 during the same 18 day period.  Unfortunately, two deaths resulting from driving under the influence occurred in this county.  San Bernardino County made 591 arrests for DUI, 20 people less than 2010 when 611 were arrested for DUI in that time span.

More avoid-DUI efforts are expected across the state for Halloween and Thanksgiving Eve, as police agencies gear up for the December Winter Campaign against drunk driving.  If you or someone you love is arrested for DUI then it is essential that you hire a skilled DUI defense attorney.  The consequences of a DUI conviction include but are not limited to license suspension, fines, jail time, community service and mandatory enrollment in an alcohol program.  Contact the Parker Law Center today to get the representation you deserve!

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Labor Day is the second most deadly day of the year on America’s highways.  So it should be of no surprise that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign will be in full force throughout this coming holiday weekend.

The Avoid the 100 DUI task force in California is comprised of over 100 police agencies with a primary focus of catching individuals driving impaired across the state.  Starting August 19, 2011 the Avoid the 100 DUI task force began NHTSA’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown campaign on those driving under the influence which will run through September 5, 2011.   The Avoid the 100 DUI task force will be out in maximum enforcement with DUI driver’s license checkpoints, DUI patrols and DUI task force deployments scheduled throughout the entirety of this holiday weekend.  This program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety sponsored by NHTSA.  California Highway Patrol will also be out in full force this holiday weekend with 80% of available officers on duty.

The following checkpoints are scheduled in Los Angeles County this weekend:

• Friday, September 2, 2011:

Venice Boulevard & Fairfax Avenue in Wilshire Area – 8 PM to 2 AM

Topanga Boulevard and Califa Street in Topanga Area – 8 PM to 2 AM

• Saturday, September 3, 2011:

Venice Boulevard & Lincoln Boulevard in Pacific Area – 8 PM to 2 AM

Western Avenue and Slauson Avenue in 77^th Street Area – 8 PM to 2 AM

Figueroa Street & 9^th Street in Central Area – 8 PM to 2 AM

Belmont Shore Area  – 6 PM to 2 AM

• Sunday, September 4, 2011:

Harbor Boulevard and 1^st Street in Harbor Area – 3 PM to 9 PM

The following checkpoints are scheduled in Orange County this weekend:

• Thursday, September 1, 2011:

Undisclosed location Cypress – 9 PM to 3 AM

• Friday, September 2, 2011:

Undisclosed location Mission Viejo – 7 PM to 3 AM

If you or someone you love is arrested for DUI, it is critical that you contact a skilled DUI defense attorney immediately.  The consequences of a first DUI conviction can include fines, license suspension, mandatory enrollment in an alcohol program, jail time and community service.  With these penalties at stake you deserve it yourself to contact the Parker Law Center today for a free consultation!

April 26, 2011 – An experienced Los Angeles cop was arrested on suspicion of DUI early on the morning of Saturday, April 13 after he allegedly drove his motorcycle the wrong way down the Sepulveda Tunnel near LAX airport. He was arrested at 4:15 AM by Los Angeles Airport Police and was booked and released at the LAPD Pacific Division.

The officer was later identified as LAPD Officer Joseph M. Bezak out of the Hollywood division.   Bezak was arrested after airport officers responded to a radio call that there was a motorcycle driving north in the southbound lanes of Sepulveda Boulevard. The blood alcohol level of the officer has still not been released.  It is also unclear whether this officer has been placed on administrative leave.  According to Richard French, an LAPD spokesperson, “If there is a DUI arrest, that person probably would be placed temporarily on leave but we cannot verify that for certain in this case.”

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a DUI, it is crucial that you contact a skilled DUI defense attorney immediately.  The penalties associated with a DUI conviction can include license suspension, fines, jail time, mandatory enrollment in an alcohol program and community service.  With so much at stake, you owe it to yourself to contact the Parker Law Center today for a free consultation.

March 9, 2011- A two time DUI offender from Petaluma, CA was arrested after a police stakeout at a bar on Monday. The target was Steven Roetter, a two time DUI offender, who was on active DUI probation with terms that include not driving with a measurable amount of alcohol in the system, not to possess or use alcohol, and to stay out of locations where alcoholic beverages are the primary item for sale including liquor stores and bars.

Officers from the Habitual DUI Offender Stakeout Program spotted Roetter’s vehicle parked at a bar in Petaluma on Monday at approximately 4:45 PM. At around 5:00 PM, Roetter exited the bar and drove away. After driving a minimal distance, officers
stopped Roetter. The officers conducted a DUI evaluation and arrested Roetter.  Roetter had a blood alcohol level of 0.11 percent. Roetter was booked at Sonoma County Jail with bail set at $45,000.

Roetter’s license was valid at the time of the stop; however, due to his prior DUI offenses, his vehicle will be impounded for 15 days. Roetter is being charged with DUI with two priors and violation of DUI probation. The Habitual DUI Offender Stakeout Program is funded by a grant through the California Office of Traffic Safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If you or someone you love has been arrested for DUI, it is critical that you contact a competent DUI attorney to defend your rights. The Parker Law Center provides individualized, competent and fierce legal representation. Contact the Parker Law Center today at (800) 805-8804 for a free consultation!

A Tampa Bay area ice cream man was pulled over Monday afternoon after an anonymous caller reported the man driving the van was driving erratically and recklessly after he almost hit a child.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office pulled over Ronald Clifford Purdy to investigate. It is reported that Purdy staggered out of the ice cream truck in New Port Richey and recited his birthday when asked for his address. The police also located two open bottles of whiskey in Purdy’s ice cream truck. Purdy’s BAC came in nearly three times the legal limit at 0.227%.  Purdy was charged with DUI and released on his own recognizance.

If you or someone love is arrested for DUI, it is critical that you contact a skilled DUI defense attorney immediately. Call the Parker Law Center today for a free consultation.

March 7, 2011 – Tulare Police Officer Shannon Oliver was arrested last Wednesday night after she crashed her patrol vehicle into a fence near the Visalia Airport. Oliver crashed her patrol car with a blood alcohol level of 0.22 percent, nearly three times the legal limit. Oliver was off duty and not in uniform at the time of her crash. According to Tulare Police Department Captain Ed Lynn, “the vehicle did leave the roadway and struck about 50 feet of cyclone fence along the airport and a couple street signs.” Oliver was spotted walking away from the scene when a passerby called 9-11. Police then arrested Oliver and released her to a responsible party.

Tulare County District Attorney did not hesitate in the slightest in filing formal charges against Oliver on Friday, just two days following her arrest. Oliver was charged with one count of driving under the influence of alcohol, one count of having a blood-alcohol level over 0.08 percent, and a special allegation that her blood-alcohol level was above 0.15 percent.

The Officer has been placed on administrative leave at this time. The Tulare Police Department has started an internal investigation to determine if Oliver broke policy.  Tulare Police Chief Jerry Breckinridge made the following statement regarding this recent incident: “Obviously, this incident saddens and disappoints me. The Tulare Police Department prides itself in maintaining professional standards and conduct.

This goes against the very grain of what we stand for and enforce. The Tulare Police Department is committed to reducing the number of drunk drivers on our roadways.  This clearly demonstrates that no one is immune to the dangers of alcohol, nor are they
immune from apprehension for driving under the influence of alcohol.”

Oliver is due in court April 12th for an arraignment. If you or someone you love is arrested for DUI, it is imperative that you contact a skilled DUI attorney to help minimize the severe penalties associated. Contact the Parker Law Center today for a free consultation!

March 1, 2011- Earlier this morning in West Hollywood, pop singer, Christina Aguilera, was arrested for suspicion of public intoxication and Matthew Rutler, her boyfriend, was arrested for alleged driving under the influence.

Aguilera was a passenger in a car driven by Rutler when police officials noticed the car driving erratically at 2:45 AM. It was reported that deputies witnessed Rutler speeding, squealing his tires and “burning rubber” on the Sunset Strip.

After the stop, deputies determined Rutler was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him. Deputies noticed Aguilera, who was in the vehicle, was extremely intoxicated so for her own safety she was also taken into custody. According to Steve Whitmore, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson: “[Aguilera] was not capable of taking care of herself. She was incapacitated. She was cooperative.  She was not belligerent in any way whatsoever. She was just intoxicated.”

Aguilera was released, after sobering up, later this morning at 7:30 AM out a back entrance to avoid a crowd of paparazzi. According to Whitmore, the arrest will go on her record but the arrest report will not be forwarded to prosecutors due to the circumstances not meriting criminal charges. Rutler was released later this morning but unlike his girlfriend, he was swarmed by more than 30 photographers as he left the station.

If you or someone you love is arrested for DUI, it is critical you contact a skilled DUI defense attorney to handle your matter. The consequences of a DUI conviction may include jail time, license suspension, mandatory enrollment in an alcohol program, and
fines. Contact the Parker Law Center today to help minimize the penalties associated with your DUI arrest!

In a surprising case of irony, Debra Oberlin, a former president of a chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in Florida, was recently arrested for DUI.

On February 18, 2011, Oberlin was arrested by Gainesville Police Department after officers spotted her driving erratically swerving and crossing into other lanes at 1:10 AM. Officers pulled her over and Oberlin revealed objective signs of intoxication including the smell of alcohol and watery, bloodshot eyes. Officers then administered field sobriety tests to Oberlin; she had difficulty performing the tests and was subsequently arrested.

According to the Gainesville Sun newspaper, her breath alcohol tests came in at 0.234 percent and 0.239 percent, nearly three times the legal 0.08 percent limit in the state of Florida. It is evident that Oberlin must have consumed more than the four beers reported that she told officers.

Oberlin was president of the Gainesville’s chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving for three years in the 1990’s. The chapter was closed in 1996 due to a lack of financial support. A MADD representative made a statement to radaronline.com regarding this incident, “MADD is concerned to hear about the recent alleged drunk driving arrest of Debra Oberlin. MADD commends law enforcement for their efforts to keep our roads safe and are hopeful that no one was hurt as a result of this incident. In 2009 alone, nearly 11,000 lives were lost due to drunk driving and another 400,000 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes in the U.S. It is our hope that this recent occurrence will serve as a reminder to others to plan ahead for a safe ride if their plans include alcohol.”

A DUI conviction is a serious offense, if you or someone you love has been arrested for DUI, it is imperative that you contact a skilled criminal defense attorney. Contact the Parker Law Center today for a free consultation!