Drunk Driver Who Crashed his Car into Prison Sentenced to Nine Years

Just after 2 a.m. on January 10 Matthew Van McDaniel crashed his Mercedes S550 through the gates of the Musick Correctional Facility in Irvine, while under the influence. McDaniel was driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.14 percent, when he lost control and crashed through the gates of the prison, he got out of the car which was still in gear and it crashed into a tree. When a correctional officer tried to restrain him, he punched the sergeant in the face and broke the officer's nose.

McDaniel pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault on an officer, one felony count of an ex-convict entering grounds of a correctional facility, one misdemeanor count of reckless driving, and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol and, one misdemeanor count of driving with a blood level of .08 percent or more. The court also found true a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury and that in 2003 he had a prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon when McDaniel was sentenced to nine years in state prison.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence or know someone who has, please contact the Law Offices of David M. Wallin to speak with criminal defense attorneys with a combined 50 years of criminal law experience representing thousands of people charged with driving under the influence.

Lindsay Lohan Posts Bail…What’s Next?

Just a few hours after Judge Marsha Revel issued a bench warrant and set bail at $100,000, for Lindsay Lohan, her business manager, Lou Taylor, has posted $10,000, the standard 10% with David Perez Bail Bonds and the warrant was recalled. Had Lohan not recalled the bench warrant out for her arrest, she could have been detained and/or arrested upon landing and coming through customs. "If Los Angeles County says, 'Yes, the warrant is active, and yes, we would like to extradite,' then we would turn over a subject to the local police department who would coordinate with the agency that issued the warrant," according to Customs and Border Protection spokesman John Saleh. Lindsay will still have to appear in court on Monday for Judge Revel to set the formal terms of her release. A formal probation violation hearing date will also need to be set for Judge Revel will determine whether or not, Lindsay Lohan was in violation of her probation. The district attorney's office has already said they will seek the maximum sentence for Lohan, 180 days behind bars.

If you are looking for a lawyer experienced in criminal defense and probation violation hearings, please contact the Law Offices of David M. Wallin, we have almost 50 years of combined criminal law experience.

Arrest Warrant issued for Lindsay Lohan

Judge Marsha Revel has issued an arrest warrant and set bail at $100,000 for Lindsay Lohan after she failed to appear at a progress review hearing on Thursday. Lohan’s attorney Shawn Chapman Holley told the judge the actress's passport was stolen at the Cannes Film Festival this week. "She filed a police report. She intended to fly back at the earliest possible time. I don't know what else to tell you. She had reservations for a flight," she added. Judge Revel countered, "There is no valid excuse for Lohan not being here.” "If she wanted to be here, she could've been here. She could've come two days early from Cannes. She has a history of not keeping scheduled appointments. She has to take this seriously. I've warned her before." The Judge also ordered that if Lohan posts bail she is to abstain from alcohol, be fitted with a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) bracelet, and be subject to random drug testing once a week. A probation violation hearing date is pending Lohan's return to court, Judge Revel said Lohan may be in violation of her probation because she previously ordered the actress to attend the class at least "once a week without fail.” An arrest warrant was previously issued against Lindsay Lohan, on March 13, 2009. The actress is serving out a three-year probation after pleading no contest to two charges of DUI and pleading guilty to two charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance and reckless driving in 2007.
If you have a warrant for your arrest, please contact the Law Offices of David M. Wallin to speak with criminal defense attorneys with a combined 50 years of criminal law experience recalling warrants.

DUI Checkpoints Planned for Highland and Victorville

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department have planned checkpoints this Memorial Day weekend in Highland and Victorville.

Deputies will be stationed at Baseline and Central Avenue in Highland from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday. A checkpoint is also planned for 6 p.m. Friday in Victorville but a specific location has not been released.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence or know someone who has, please contact the Law Offices of David M. Wallin to speak with criminal defense attorneys with a combined 50 years of criminal law experience representing thousands of people charged with driving under the influence.