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Four DUI offenders with newly suspended drivers licenses got a surprise on Wednesday, a “court sting” operation by police leading to their arrest after they chose to get behind the wheel outside of court..
Officers followed nine offenders who had been told by a judge at The Larson Justice Center in Indio not to drive or had the license suspended. Of the nine, five found alternate transportation (yay for Uber) – but four attempted to drive home on their own.
They were stopped and arrested.
The full press release via Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:
On Wednesday, April 22, 2015 between the hours of 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM officers from the Palm Desert Police Department conducted an undercover “Court Sting” operation at the Larson Justice Center located in the city of Indio. The operation targeted suspected DUI drivers whose licenses where suspended/revoked or drivers who were unlicensed.
Police officers staked out offenders who had been told by a judge not to drive and/or who had been told of their license suspension. Nine (9) offenders were followed by officers from courtrooms to their vehicles to ensure that they were not driving. While some offenders complied with the law and had alternate means of transportation, four individuals in court for DUI and/or driver’s license violations proceeded to get behind the wheel and drove away from the court house. The individuals who chose to drive were stopped by awaiting officers and arrested for driver’s license violations and their vehicle was impounded.
The individuals arrested today could face additional jail time, long driver license suspensions, along with other financial hits including attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects.
DUI Court Sting stakeout operations, along with regularly scheduled high-visibility DUI enforcement, serve as a proven deterrent with the goal of keeping impaired and unlicensed drivers from the road and heightening awareness among the public of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
This special DUI operation was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!
