Drugs

DUI Vehicular Manslaughter Case Facing Questionable Sentencing

Published on: September 29, 2013 | by Leslie Legal Group

19-year-old Carly Rousso was accussed of killing 5-year-old Jaclyn Santos Sacramento while allegedly driving under the influence of inhalants. Previous to driving around in Highland Park, Rousso had used the substance difluoroethane which is used to clear dust. Sacramento, along with her mother and two siblings, had been walking along the sidewalk when Rousso, who was under the influence, ran over Sacramento with her car resulting in her death. Rousso plead not guilty to four counts of aggravated driving under the influence of intoxicating compounds and two counts of reckless homicide.

In the past decade, the use of inhalants has increased drastically as a means to get the same high as other drugs like cocaine and ecstasy, especially among the younger generation. These can include sniffing glue or burnt cinnamon. Alternative methods of obtaining similar highs are attractive to the youth because these everyday items are easily accessible and are at a low-cost. Users of inhalants claim that there is no danger to the public when using these substances, which is why they are not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. However, one teenager learned differently.

Rousso’s attorney made a motion to dismiss the case, as difluoroethane is not a substance listed in the “‘Use of Compounds Act,’ which defines intoxicating compounds and prohibits the use of 15 specifically enumerated substances.” If this motion does not succeed, Rousso faces a maximum sentence of 14 years for all six counts. If the letter of the law must be followed, then the defense may be correct in stating that the compound Rousso used is not included in the list of illegal substances; however, this brings up the question of whether or not the wording of the “Use of Compounds Act” and other similar laws should be altered so that any type of inhalants are included so that people can be charged with DUIs.

Record Setting Levels of Suicide and Drug Overdose Plague San Diego

Published on: July 25, 2013 | by Leslie Legal Group

Deaths due to suicide and prescription drug overdoses, as well as homicides, have reached record numbers in San Diego for the second year in a row. The San Diego County Medical Examiner released an Annual report for 2012 stating the detailed trends showing the increase. Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Jonathan Lucas stated, “Our office investigates every non-natural death in San Diego, and, tragically, many of these deaths are preventable. The report reveals some of the serious issues and behaviors affecting San Diego County residents and visitors.” In 2012, close to half of the approximated 20,000 total deaths in the county, a total of 10,018 deaths, were reported to the San Diego County Medical Examiner. Of those 10,018, the office further investigated 2,853 deaths, performed 1,962 autopsies, and 901 external examinations. Only about five percent of the deaths investigated are by natural causes, leaving the other ninety-five percent to non-natural causes, such as homicide, accident, and suicide cases. The breakdown of death classification in 2012 was 44 percent accident cases, 36 percent natural deaths, 15 percent suicides, and 4.6 percent homicides. In comparison to past annual reports, this is a record number of people succumbed to suicide and fatal prescription-drug overdoses in the San Diego area. No cause of death could be determined in 1 percent of cases. The report concluded that Methamphetamine continues to be the number one cause of drug related death, with Heroin following close behind. It also stated that of drivers killed in car accidents, a startling 43 percent were DUI cases and the leading cause of natural death remains cardiovascular disease.

The Medical Examiner’s Office recommended the following resources for those individuals at risk for suicide or drug overdose.

– County Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Line: (888) 724-7240

Enough is Enough: NFL Player, Aaron Hernandez, Charged with Murder

Published on: July 14, 2013 | by Leslie Legal Group

After what seems like a concurring of legal issues, most recent the arrest of Aaron Hernandez, linked to the National Football League over recent years, there is a rising sense among NFL followers that teams should be holding their players to a higher standard of overall character. These Infamous cases include former NFL tight end for the New England Patriots, Aaron Hernandez, currently sitting in a Massachusetts prison on charges of murder. Another is the recent arrest of two Denver Broncos executives, director of pro personnel Tom Heckert and director of player personnel Matt Russell, who were booked for driving under the influence of alcohol this last month. There has been a disturbing pattern of irresponsible behavior that imperatively needs to be cleaned up. According to a database from the San Diego Union-Tribune, there have been 40 instances of NFL player arrests since the start of 2013. Unfortunately, the past and current commonality NFL teams share is the prioritizing of talent over all around character in the formation of their rosters. It seems that the NFL franchises, as a whole, need to shift this priority and begin weeding out players with turbulent or violent pasts in order to fix the fast growing image problem they are facing.

It is difficult, however, to create an acceptable standard for players across the board when the individuals responsible, per their job description, to enforce this standard are failing to live up to their own standards. These individuals should be expected to lead with their granted authority and set the example they wish to see duplicated by their players. As a former competitive athlete myself, I can state from first-hand experience that a lack of respect in the player to coach relationship is absolutely not ideal for a successful team dynamic. The monumental amount of young football players across the country who look up to their favorite NFL players as role models should be ample reason enough to advance immediate changes in the type of athlete and overall person the NFL grants the fortune of daunting that fame laden jersey.

Facing legal issues involving drinking, drugs, and violence has quickly diminished the credibility of the league. And while a DUI does not carry the same weight as committing a murder, assaulting a woman, or passing out in a car full of guns and drugs, all of which have been executed by NFL players, all legal offenses still need be looked at and dealt with in a serious manner. With the eyes of a whole nation watching, the vitality of putting a stop to the array of these occurrences has never been more pressing.

Escondido Police Arrest 12 Minors in Curfew Sweep

Published on: August 9, 2011 | by Leslie Legal Group

Escondido Police have been making a constant effort to enforce their new curfew enforcement operations since early March of this year. On Friday, August 5th, twelve juveniles were arrested for being out past curfew. Along with these curfew violation arrests, one fourteen year old boy was arrested for possession of cocaine; and a seventeen year old boy was caught in the company of a 18 year old, an adult, who was in possession of marijuana.

This was the seventh sweep by Escondido Police since the launch of the operation. Seven sweeps may seem like a small number but the sweeps have resulted in the arrest of 125 minors violating curfew or in some cases in possession of drugs, or other crime related activities. When Police arrest minors they go through a similar process as adult arrestees. They are taken to the Police Department for processing and then are released to their parents or a legal guardian and in some cases taken to the juvenile jail facility . Escondido Police Department stated that they will continue to hold frequent curfew sweeps during the summer months. The curfew times are from 11p.m. to 5a.m. anyone under the age of 18 who is outside without a parent could be arrested for violating curfew.

I’m thinking back to when I was 15, 16 and 17 during Summer vacation. Was I out with friends past 11:00p.m. playing flash light tag, kick the can, hanging out with girls, or attending High School parties? Absolutely!! I know each contact or arrest should be looked at on a case by case basis but I wonder how much money from imposed fines these arrests makes for the City of Escondido?

San Diego Police Drug Bust, 52 Arrested

Published on: August 5, 2011 | by Leslie Legal Group

San Diego Police Department’s crackdown on drug trafficking paid off for downtown San Diego cities. “Operation May Day” was in effect in Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, East Village and other inner city neighborhoods. It targeted street-level dealers for dealing and selling drugs. The plan was in effect for about six weeks were officers went undercover to discover the street dealers and distributes of drugs.

After the six week process which ran from approximately May 1st to June 30th, a total of 69 suspects were identified and 52 were arrested over the last week. Officers discovered these dealers buy making plainclothes, meaning dressed in street clothing attire, purchases from these dealers. Resulting in a total of 32 criminal cases of alleged sale of cocaine, 12 arrests of alleged methamphetamine sales, 3 alleged heroine sales and sales of marijuana and prescription drugs.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis hailed the operation, stating that San Diego Police are making downtown a safe place to live, visit and operate business.