OFF THE WIRE
VISTA: Courthouse checkpoint lands driver behind bars, 25 vehicles in tow yard........
North County Times
Sheriff's deputies towed 25 vehicles and issued 26 tickets at a checkpoint outside of Vista Superior Court targeting DUI offenders driving without valid licenses, authorities said.
"Many of the offenders were specifically ordered by a judge not to drive after having their driving privilege suspended or revoked," San Diego County sheriff's Lt. Joe Sanchez said in a written statement.
Deputies periodically perform the checks outside of the courthouse, sometimes stopping people starting to drive home after being ordered to surrender their licenses.
Wednesday's operation went from 3 to 5 p.m., during which deputies spoke with 357 drivers. In addition to those towed and cited, one person was arrested on suspicion of driving on a suspended license with multiple convictions, the statement said.
San Diego County Sheriff's Department - DUI Court Sting
Uploaded by sdsheriff on Dec 29, 2011
Sheriff's Deputies and officers from the County's Avoid the 14 Taskforce conducted a Suspended Drivers License/DUI court sting operation on Wednesday, December 28th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Vista Courthouse on South Melrose Drive. Deputies and officers targeted DUI offenders who were driving while unlicensed or driving on a suspended license. The court sting was held in conjunction with a MADD victim impact panel being held at the courthouse. "Our goal for this operation was to ensure compliance since many offenders were specifically ordered by a judge not to drive," said Lieutenant Jose Sanchez of the Sheriff's Department Traffic Services Division.
357 drivers were contacted. Of those, 67 vehicles were sent into a secondary screening area, 25 vehicles were towed, 15 citations were issued for driving on a suspended license, 11 citations were issued for driving without a license and 1 arrest was made for driving on a suspended license with multiple convictions. Some offenders will face new charges and others may face jail time, added fees or have their vehicles impounded for 30 days.
357 drivers were contacted. Of those, 67 vehicles were sent into a secondary screening area, 25 vehicles were towed, 15 citations were issued for driving on a suspended license, 11 citations were issued for driving without a license and 1 arrest was made for driving on a suspended license with multiple convictions. Some offenders will face new charges and others may face jail time, added fees or have their vehicles impounded for 30 days.