I had an interesting tip sent to me from an anonymous source about Newport Beach DUI arrests
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“Entrapment in Newport Beach???? We’ve all enjoyed many nights out in Newport patronizing great establishments…and when you read what I learned below, it may surprise you…
I was in a Super Shuttle van going home from LAX to Newport, and making conversation with a gal from Newport next to me…we were talking about the nightlife in the city…
She said one night she saw some strange activity in a lot somewhere behind Irvine Avenue in Newport. When she got a closer look, she saw Newport police gathered for a sting, and some officers dressed in undercover garments as valet parkers!!!
The police are planting officers as valet parkers at some of the popular drinking establishments around town…most likely the establishments are compelled to comply. When the undercover policeman (valet parker) suspects a person of having consumed alcoholic beverages as they leave an establishment, they radio ahead for police to follow the vehicle and, look for probable cause.
Since the gathering of police was in a lot off Irvine Avenue, they are more than likely targeting places on PCH, like Billy’s at the Beach, Three-Thirty-Three, and Landmark…these places have valet parkers, and more than likely the Peninsula where establishments have valet service.
I support law enforcement, and their efforts to crack down on DUIs, but this encroaches on businesses and may be considered as entrapment….please be super careful and responsible. Take cabs if you are going to enjoy alcoholic beverages around town. Being careless may cost you thousands of dollars, a huge hassle, and special hospitality by Sheriff Sandra Hutchen’s at the Orange County Jail!
I learned that with the $200k DUI grant, Newport police hope to nab at least 150 more DUIs in a year. Each 1st time offender nets the city about $1300 after costs. They make money on fine payers and lose\break even on those who do community service. A few years ago they started targeting young females because they pay the fine more frequently than men. That’s why we saw an upsurge in female DUI and fall in mens.
More recently they focused on morning after arrests…those from 6:30am to 8:00am. The person is pulled over after sleeping like they are told to do, but the BAL continues to rise for 4 hrs after the last drink. Problem here is there are almost no DUI deaths during this period nor any evidence to suggest driving impairment. It all boils down to money.
Even worse, the officers pre-write their stop reports with canned answers to fit a profile. So what actually happened on the roadside is irrelevant because they already wrote it up. The only defense is the camera.”
If you have any information confirming this, please contact our Newport Beach DUI Lawyers at (877) 568-2977. Thanks.
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