Ex-Lawyer Gets 8 Months For DUI and Bribery

This is not a happy story.  It concerns the adverse affects from substance abuse and addiction.  A Bay Area intellectual property law attorney was suspended from the practice of law after his DUI conviction.  There is more. 

When Richard Chae was pulled over back in February 2010 for suspicion of drunk driving he tried to convince the police officer to forget the matter.  That discussion apparently involved the offer of a bribe.  Why?  Perhaps it was because he had already been convicted twice before for DUI.  A contributing cause of the bribery attempt may also have been the alcohol.  His BAC was reportedly 0.13.  The story is here. 

Attorneys in California who would like to talk about their problem with alcohol may contact the Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP).  LAP was established by the California Legislature. It is a confidential service of the State Bar of California. Staffed by professionals with many years of experience assisting the legal community with personal issues, the LAP provides assistance to attorneys whose personal or professional life is being detrimentally impacted by substance abuse, other compulsive behaviors, and/or mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.

The LAP is a comprehensive program offering support and structure from the beginning stage of recovery through continuing care. It includes: individual counseling, expert assessment and consultation, assistance with arrangements for intensive treatment, monitored continuing care, random lab testing, professionally facilitated support groups, and peer support groups. The program also works with family members, friends, colleagues, judges and other court staff who wish to obtain help for an impaired attorney. Financial assistance is available so that no one is prevented from participating in the program due to financial limitations.

Attorneys may self-refer into this program or may be referred as the result of an investigation or disciplinary proceeding. Participation in the LAP is strictly and absolutely confidential. No information concerning participation in the program can be released without the attorney’s prior written consent.
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Another "do as I say, not as I do" judge arrested for DUI

 

I encourage you read this excellent article at Lawyers.com about a Minnesota judge arrested for DUI.  Another informative article is here.  It is reported that the judge said he had six vodka drinks before his involvment in a motor vehicle accident.  His blood alcohol level was reportedly 0.28.

What?  0.28?  According to the blood alcohol chart here, it would take six drinks to give you a BAC of 0.28 if you weighed 100 lbs.  Seriously?  0.28?  A person with a BAC of 0.28 has severe motor impairment, may suffer loss of consciousness, and memory blackout.  That is seriously drunk.

Fortunately it does not appear that there were any injuries. 

A drink of your favorite alcoholic beverage may give you a nice pleasant feeling, and you would think that two drinks would make you feel even better.  But there is a point of diminishing return with alcohol.  When you drink more, instead of feeling better, you just turn into a sloppy drunk.  And if you drive, you are a risk to yourself and others.  If you are caught driving, the result will almost certainly be personally and professionally adverse. 

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Utah Attorney Ordered To Stand Trial For DUI - Again

A lawyer facing his sixth DUI charge was ordered to stand trial.  He had been arrested on suspicion of DUI six months after being released for a previous DUI conviction.  The story is here. 

The arresting police officer testified at a hearing that he saw a car swerve and pulled it over.  He smelled alcohol, and said the driver had glassy eyes and spoke with slurred speech.  The attorney arrested is a former criminal defense attorney.

 

The Arkansas Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program reports that at least two studies found judges and lawyers suffer from a higher rate of alcoholism than the general population.  While about 10% of the general population suffers from alcoholism, for lawyers it is almost 20%.  That's why many states require attorneys to complete continuing legal education in the prevention of substance abuse in the legal profession.  Lawyers may also check with their State Bar association for programs offering counseling and treatment. 

 

 

 

 

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California Attorney Arrested for DUI

A California attorney has been arrested for DUI after he ran into a parked car.

The attorney is the former city attorney for Newport Beach. The story is here. Fortunately no one was hurt. This is the second time arrest for the 53 year-old lawyer. Two years ago he was arrested for domestic violence, but no charges were filed.

California attorneys seeking help for addiction problems can find assistance through the Lawyer Assistance Program.


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Nevada District Attorney Arrested for DUI - Again

When you fall asleep in your car in Pahrump, Nevada, make sure it is not within the watchful eyes of former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. Two years ago, Fleiss was prosecuted by the Nye County District Attorney’s office for being under the influence of drugs. Now Fleiss returned the favor by tipping off police about a suspicious car parked along her secluded block. The car belonged to Nye County District Attorney Bob Beckett, who was passed out in the front seat. Here is the story from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

After being roused from his slumber, Beckett failed a field sobriety test and was arrested. A breath test recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.12 percent, which is above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Sadly, Beckett was already on probation for an alcohol related driving incident in 2008, which occurred in California. Under the terms of that earlier probation, Beckett is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with alcohol in his system. What will happen to him now? We will have to wait and see.


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