#Petaluma dmv hearing office license

It could be as low as 10, but I believe it's 14, so read that letter carefully as far as the given period of time.

#Petaluma dmv hearing office license

But if you accrue four or more in a year, six or more in two years, or eight or more in three years, you're going to get a letter in the mail stating that you've been designated a negligent operator and that they're going to suspend your driver's license for one year.But if you read that letter carefully, you're going to see that you're entitled to a hearing to contest that suspension.Īnd, generally, at least my understanding of it is, you have 14 days to set the hearing with the DMV. The points in a given period of time is 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 2 years, 8 points in 3 years. It could be less than that, but generally it's a one-year suspension. And if you accrue too many points in a given period of time, they're going to suspend your license for one year. Negligent operator: A negligent operator is a principle the DMV holds. Always consult an attorney, whether it be me or any other attorney, if you're facing any kind of a legal situation because the laws change. This doesn't form an attorney/client relationship. This is just my understanding of the law. The Petaluma Police Department headed the investigation.I'm Attorney Michael Rehm, and this video today is dealing with negligent operator suspensions and just the whole legal principle with negligent operator hearings and how they classify you as a negligent operator here in California and what it means for your driver's license. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jason Rifkind, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Phennicie. The court also heard from the victim’s widow, who was with her husband at the time of the collision and witnessed these tragic events. However, the court was made aware of this fact at the time of sentencing.ĭuring the sentencing hearing the court heard from the victim’s son, daughter, and brother. The jury was not made aware of three additional collisions in the approximate two-and-a-half-year period prior to the fatal collision. In addition, he lied about having this condition on his application for a driver’s license. However, it was later determined that the defendant did not have alcohol or controlled substances in his blood, besides low levels of his seizure preventative medication.įurther investigation of the defendant’s medical records, DMV records, other past reports to the Santa Rosa police, California Highway Patrol, and his insurance company ultimately revealed that he had been in at least one prior vehicle collision that involved concealing his seizure disorder. Based on the defendant’s repeated insistence that he did not have a seizure disorder he was arrested for driving under the influence. The defendant appeared under the influence of a depressant, common for individuals in the later phases of a convulsive seizure. The Petaluma Police Department responded to the collision and observed the defendant, the victim, and the victim’s family in a roundabout with emergency personnel attempting to save the victim’s life. Castandeda was taking his trash cans to the curb on McDowell Boulevard in the city of Petaluma. During the incident, the defendant lost control while driving and struck Mr. Further, the defendant concealed this condition from doctors, police, and the DMV. His medical condition had resulted in numerous prior vehicle collisions, yet the defendant chose to continue driving. The charge resulted from the defendant’s negligent management of, and repeated concealment of, a seizure condition. Demeo to serve 4 years in state prison after a jury returned a guilty verdict against him in May to charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in connection with a collision he caused in September of 2020 which resulted in the death of Mario Gongora Castaneda. Defendant James Thomas Watkins, 43 years old of Petaluma, was sentenced today by the Honorable Judge Bradford J.