San Diego DUI Defendant Alleges That His Arresting Officers Were Abetted By Private Investigators
The San Diego Union Tribune’s online paper, signonsandiego.com, has reported on the intricate and ongoing San Diego DUI case of a fifty-year old diabetic named John Steel IV. Mr. Steel has alleged that the officers who pulled him over for driving while intoxicated on August 12, 2007 had been working in close contact with private investigators hired by his wife, with whom he had been in the midst of an acerbic custody battle.
Facts of the Arrest
According to The Union Tribune’s account, Mr. Steel had been carousing at the Whaling Bar in La Valencia on the night of the 12th. As he drove home in his BMW, a pair of PIs under the employ of his wife stalked him in their car. The PI’s suspected that Steel might have been drinking and called a police officer friend to join their patrol. While on his drive home, Mr. Steel allegedly ran a red light, giving the police officer probable cause to pull him over for a possible San Diego DUI.
Mr. Steel was tested at the scene and found to have a BAC concentration of 0.10% -- 0.02% higher than California’s maximum allowable limit. The arrest was complicated, however, by the fact that Mr. Steel is a Type I diabetic. He had been experiencing severe diabetic symptoms and had asked the arresting officers for medical assistance, but they did not provide help. Hours later, as Mr. Steel languished in a prison holding cell, his diabetic symptoms worsened. He eventually required emergency care.
The morning following Mr. Steel’s arrest, his wife filed for divorce. But it took several months of investigation before Mr. Steel and his legal team discovered that the officer who pulled him over had colluded with the PIs hired by his wife. Mr. Steel subsequently sued the city of San Diego for refusing him urgent care and for placing him under false arrest. The city countersued with a DUI charge. Both the civil and criminal matters are still pending in court.
As Mr. Steel’s case reveals, San Diego DUI charges can result in profound legal complexities, and trial matters can stretch on for months or even years. Given how much is at stake for DUI defendants, if you have been charged with a similar crime, you likely need the help of a persistent, highly reputable, and trial-ready attorney like Stephen Brodsky. Find out more about the Law Offices of Stephen Brodsky today at CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com, or connect with us now to set up a free consultation.
