DUI Leads to Racing License Revocation for Jockey
Patrick Valenzuela, a prominent horse racing jockey and the youngest jockey ever to win the Santa Anita Derby, has had his racing license revoked after a recent DUI arrest. The California Horse Racing Board revoked his license after the arrest and reported that it did so because the conditional racing license it had issued was only issued on condition of Valenzuela abstaining from alcohol altogether.
Valenzuela’s history of drug abuse and other substance issues led to the conditional license, which also requires random drug testing. He has already been suspended eight times in connection with drug abuse. Valenzuela’s DUI arrest took place on December 20 in Upland, California.
The Valenzuela arrest and license suspension highlights an often-overlooked consequence of DUI arrests – their affect on a person’s day-to-day activities such as job and community reputation. Though Valenzuela’s DUI was not yet proven, his mere arrest was enough to give the California Horse Racing Board pause. The “zero-tolerance” attitude of many employers and professional organizations towards DUI gives those accused an even stronger motivation to seek a watertight DUI defense or, at the very least, a lawyer who can protect their personal rights as they navigate the often-confusing world of California DUI law.
A good California DUI lawyer can help you keep your license and keep you out of jail. They have access to expert witnesses who can disprove or call into question official “evidence” and can conduct a thorough investigation into the particulars of your case. And they know the system well enough to understand its main players and its particular ins and outs. The experienced attorneys at Neil Shouse & Associates are aggressive in the courtroom and sympathetic to your side of the story. We’re committed to keeping our clients on the road and out of jail. Have you been arrested on suspected DUI? Act now – don’t approach your DUI hearing by yourself. Call today for a completely free and totally confidential phone consultation.
