San Luis Obispo Criminal Law Blog

A person has been arrested on suspicion of providing illegal substances that caused the death of one woman. The man, a California resident, is one of the first few individuals to be arrested in the new push by federal, state and local governments to hold drug dealers accountable for their actions when a person overdoses on the drugs they provide. He is being held on drug charges and charges for the death of the woman.

In light of the recent opioid epidemic, lawmakers have been searching for ways to reduce the number of deaths and the impact that addiction has on the customers of drug dealers. Under the order of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the government has increased its penalties and investigations of individuals suspected of providing opioids in the community. The individual recently arrested has been caught up in the current trend. 

One woman's business has been abruptly shut down after officials claim she violated the law. The California woman was allegedly maintaining several properties that allowed the cultivation of marijuana plants. During her initial court hearing, her criminal defense was not revealed, and she indicated that she would need a translator during future court meetings. 

The woman, whose native language is Cantonese, also did not make her bond and is currently being held in the county jail. Complaints by neighbors is what led to the revelation that her properties were being used to grow the controlled substance. Even though marijuana has been legalized in the state, in order to grow and distribute the plant, a person must have the proper permits. Officials claim the woman did not hold the correct permits and was not allowed to use her buildings for the grow operations. 

You just never know when a California police officer is going to flash lights or blare a siren in an attempt to pull you over in a traffic stop. Of course, if you were traveling at speeds in great excess of posted limits, such as going 50 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone, chances are high that any police officer nearby who witnesses your high-speed travel will likely pull you over.

However, if you are doing your best to adhere to all traffic regulations, it doesn't necessarily guarantee that you will not run into trouble. For instance, if a police officer traveling behind you claims that your tires veered over the yellow line, he or she can make a traffic stop on suspicion of drunk driving. What happens after that depends on various factors, one of which may be whether or not you pass a horizontal gaze nystagmus test. Failing this test may prompt an immediate search for legal help.

One man has recently had his career challenged stemming from criminal accusations related to drinking. The California man, employed as the San Luis Obispo medical examiner, was arrested in 2016 on drunk driving charges. His most recent court appearance led the judge to suspend his surgeon's license pending completion of a three-year probation. 

The man was allegedly found with a blood alcohol content of .19 while he was on the way to an autopsy. Reportedly, he lost control of the car he was driving and struck a parked car. He was able to keep his job at the time and was given a last chance agreement.