On January 17, 2010, the Huntington Beach City Council rejected council member Devin Dwyer’s proposed plan to post mug shots of repeat DUI arrestees on the Huntington Beach Police Department Facebook page.
Dwyer originally proposed posting a mug shot for any Huntington Beach DUI arrestees, hoping that the public shaming would deter people from driving under the influence in Huntington Beach. After various groups objected to the plan’s harshness, he proposed posting the mug shots only for repeat DUI arrestees.
Even after modifying his proposal, Dwyer’s plan was met with hostility from various groups, including privacy rights advocates and the Huntington Beach Police Department. The police department felt that posting mug shots would create animosity in the community they served, especially since the policy would shame family members of the DUI arrestees. Other expressed concern that mug shots would be posted of people who had not yet been convicted of DUI.
Huntington Beach arrested over 1600 people for suspicion of DUI in 2010.
If you are suspected of driving under the influence, it is important to know your rights. Besides submitting identification, registration, and proof of insurance, you have no legal obligation to speak to the law enforcement officer. You do not have to submit to any field sobriety tests, including tests where your eyes must follow the officer’s pen light, or where you are asked to walk in a straight line. The only test you cannot refuse is a chemical test, i.e., a breathalyzer or blood test measuring blood alcohol content.
If you are arrested for DUI, you will need an experienced Orange County DUI lawyer to aggressively represent you in your case. DUI convictions can be burdensome and expensive to resolve, and you will need an attorney who will do everything possible fight your DUI charges. At Wallin & Klarich, we have helped people accused of DUIs for over 30 years. Call us today at (888) 280-6839 or visit us at our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.
