CALIFORNIA CITIES CONTINUE TO IMPOUND HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES AT DUI CHECKPOINTS

As we have previously discussed on this blog, California DUI checkpoints have been widely criticized for unfairly targeting minorities and generating huge profits by impounding the vehicles of unlicensed drivers.

While many California cities, such as Los Angeles, have revised their DUI checkpoint policies to address these concerns, others continue to impound high numbers of vehicles.

For instance, the Vista Sheriffs Station recently conducted a DUI checkpoint on April 16. Below is a summary of the results:

  • 7 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • 8 Field Sobriety evaluations were conducted on drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
  • 41 vehicles were stored and cited due to violations including driving with a suspended license, unlicensed drivers, or as a result of arrest.
  • 47 citations were issued for various violations including: Unlicensed (31), Suspended driver’s license (5), Possession of Marijuana in a vehicle (2).

As detailed above, the DUI checkpoint resulted in seven DUI arrests, while 31 vehicles impounded from unlicensed drivers.

According to the Examiner, almost all of the unlicensed drivers were Latino illegal aliens. The article further suggests that California DUI checkpoints are ineffective at preventing unlicensed driving as many of those cited were repeat offenders.

The mounting evidence suggests that it may be time for California to reconsider its use of California DUI checkpoints in terms of how they address both drunk driving and undocumented drivers.

To learn more about California DUI checkpoint laws, please visit our OC DUI Checkpoints website.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence in California at a California DUI checkpoint, contact our California DUI attorneys today.

Our Locations
Attorney Scott Henry: Criminal & DUI Defense
N/a