A 40-year veteran officer of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is facing misdemeanor drunk driving charges. According to an article in The Los Angeles Times , Michael Aranda, a 62-year-old division chief was arrested the night of June 12 on the 14 Freeway on suspicion of driving his county-issued car while under the influence of alcohol and while he was off-duty.
Aranda, who supervised the sheriff’s department’s crime lab and computer systems, was put on paid administrative leave two weeks ago after that freeway incident when 911 callers reported that Aranda was driving the county issued Chevy Impala erratically. Many sheriff’s executives are issued a car by the county for the purpose of driving to and from work. The Times article states that Sheriff Lee Baca ordered him to be placed on administrative leave after finding out that the Department of Motor Vehicles had suspended the deputy’s driver’s license. Aranda himself has agreed to submit his resignation and will get paid until Oct. 16.
This investigation reportedly took more than three months to be completed. Still police and the district attorney’s office have declined to reveal the officer’s blood alcohol content. The Times article also states that Aranda was arrested because he “appeared intoxicated” when officers stopped him.
This story is a clear example of how a drunk driving arrest can have an immediate and direct impact on your career. All these events – suspension of driver’s license, being put on administrative leave – occurred even before this officer was convicted of the DUI. That’s why it’s vital for anyone who has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving to immediately contact an experienced California DUI attorney, who not only has a thorough knowledge of the law, but one who can represent you in a DMV hearing. The outcome of that hearing will determine whether you get to keep your driving license or not.
Every step you take and every decision you make in a DUI case can affect your future. Don’t make these decisions alone. If you or a loved one is facing a DUI charge, call a Southern California Drunk Driving attorney immediately to schedule an appointment to discuss your case.
