Thursday, August 3, 2006

DARREN KAVINOKY GIVES LEGAL COMMENTARY ON NATIONAL TELEVISION

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Darren Kavinoky, founding partner and sole shareholder of California-based criminal defense firm, The Kavinoky Law Firm, appeared on Entertainment Tonight and The Insider to comment on the recent Mel Gibson DUI arrest. 

Gibson was arrested last week in Malibu on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.  When tested with a preliminary alcohol screening device, he registered .12 percent blood alcohol content.  The legal limit in California is .08 percent.

“Although it appears that he was driving under the influence of alcohol, this is a first offense, and he will not likely serve jail time even if he is convicted,” said Kavinoky.  “Even though he’s probably not looking at jail, he should still be concerned.  One of the most potentially serious consequences of his actions is that he will not be allowed into Canada if he is convicted.  That’s unfortunate for any actor since many films are shot in that country.  In order to even enter into Canada, he will have to get special permission from the government.” 

In California, there are actually two different charges for DUI:  driving while impaired and driving with a blood alcohol content above .08 percent.  Gibson was charged with both counts and the additional infraction of driving with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. 

Gibson’s arraignment date is scheduled for September 28 in Malibu.  However, according to Kavinoky, this alone doesn’t mean that Gibson will see the inside of a courtroom any time soon.  “According to California law, an attorney can appear in court on behalf of a client if that client is charged with misdemeanor DUI,” said Kavinoky.  “This means that Mel may never actually go into a courtroom.” 

Kavinoky is in his 13th year of practice.  He has represented people accused of everything from petty theft to murder, although he specializes in those accused of alcohol- and drug-related crimes. 

Entertainment Tonight airs in Los Angeles at 7:00 p.m.; The Insider airs at 7:30 p.m.  Both programs air on CBS. 

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Prepared by Angie Rupert.
For more information contact Angie Rupert at (818) 346-4646 or angie@NoCuffs.com.