Experts in Los Angeles: Defending DUI Cases

As an attorney who handles only driving related cases (DUIs, vehicle homicide, etc.) it is important to know not only the law but also the science of DUIs. How alcohol and/or drugs affect the human body is often the key to winning a DUI case.

Not only is it important for your attorney to know the science but it is helpful to have experts available to explain difficult topics and concepts to others. We often use experts at the DMV to explain issues to the DMV Hearing Officer or in court to explain to the jury how alcohol or drugs affects the body. Experts can also be used to explain issues to the judge or prosecutor.

Experts and expert reports can also be used to help settle a case. Putting in writing the position of an expert can help the prosecutor see the difficulty they will have in getting a conviction and the possibility of a not guilty verdict. This often results in a better negotiated deal or even a dismissal.

Not every person is the same and not every expert is the same. A defense attorney will often use different experts for different cases. The knowledge, experience, education and personality of each expert are different and you need to know when to use which expert to get the best possible outcome for a case.

Some experts talk about all DUI topics and other are experts on a very narrow field. Some are teachers, some are former lawyers, but most are former law enforcement or former crime lab workers.

The best expert witness for your case will depend on the facts of your case.

Here are some resumes of experts we often use in defending cases in Los Angeles:

Dewayne K. Beckner - Criminalist/Blood Alcohol Consultant

P.O. Box 8419
Northridge, California 91327
Phone: (818) 885-8065
Cell: ( 562) 673-3831
Fax: (818) 885-8069
duiexpert2000@yahoo.com

Professional Background and Expertise

30 years of experience in Forensic Science and Blood Alcohol Cases.
Independent Blood Alcohol Consultant in Civil, DMV and criminal matters involving alcohol related issues.
Expert witness testimony in over 3,500 DUI trials, 2,500 of which were called by the prosecution.
Extensive experience in field sobriety testing procedures and laboratory determinations of alcohol levels.
Expert witness in over 1,500 DMV hearings throughout California.
Consultant and expert witness in numerous personal injury matters involving alcohol consumption.
Consultant in non-vehicle related criminal and civil matters where alcohol is a mitigating factor.
Retired Supervising Criminalist, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Former Manager of Blood Alcohol Testing Unit, Century Regional Crime Lab, West Covina Regional Crime Lab and Whittier Regional Crime Lab.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences, 1972
California State University, Dominguez Hills

Graduate Studies in Criminalistics and Health Science, 1972-1974
California State University, Los Angeles

Professional Associations

Past Member: California Association of Toxicologists, California Narcotics Officers Association and Los Angeles County Association of Criminalists.

Professional Training Highlights

2006 – Annual DUI Defense Practice Seminar, C.P.D.A. Monterey, CA
2006 – Speaker at “Introduction to our Investigations,” Field Operations Region III, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. La Mirada, CA
2006 – Presenter at the Mexican-American Bar Association Annual DUI Seminar. Topic: How to Present a Blood and Breath Case. Los Angeles, CA
2005 – Intoxilyzer 8000 Training and Qualification. Tucson, AZ
2004 – Speaker at “Role of the Expert Witness In a our Trial.” Cincinnati, OH
2004 – Draeger Breath Testing Instrument Training course for 7110 MK Illc and 7410 EP AS Breath Instruments, Hans Reiser, Instructor. San Francisco, CA
2003 – Mastering Scientific Evidence in Our Cases. Atlanta, GA
2002 – Effects of Drugs on Human Performance and Behavior. A comprehensive course on drugs and driving, Center for Studies in Law and Action. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
2001 – NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor course, IACP Certification, Robert Lapier, Master Instructor. Nashville, TN
2001 – National College of DUI Defense, Harvard University Law School. Boston, MA
2001 – NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test course, IACP Certification. Dallas, TX
2001 – Field Sobriety Test, a comprehensive seminar. Presenters included: Dr. Marcilene Bums and Robert LaPier, NHTSA, FST instructor. San Francisco, CA
2000 – Robert F. Borkenstein Course on Alcohol, Drugs and Highway Safety. Course
Instructors: Dr. Kurt Dubowski, Dr. A.W. Jones and Dr. Robert Fomet. Indiana University. Bloomington, ID
1998- Speaker at Attorney Ron Jackson’s “Understanding Rising Blood Alcohol.” Oxnard, CA
1998- Speaker at the September Regional C.A.C.J.D.U.I. Seminar. Topic: Compact Datamaster Breath Testing Instrument. Los Angeles, CA
1998 – Factory training on Datamaster breath testing instrument, National Patent Analytical. Mansfield, OH
1996 – Controlled Drinking/Driving Study, Hollywood Park. Inglewood, CA
1989 – Infrared Analysis and Interpretation, Nicolet Corporation. Madison, WI
1989- Advanced Supervision, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy. Whittier, CA
1986 – Presenter at “DUI Superstars” Seminar In Techniques of Cross Examination of an Expert Witness. Los Angeles, CA
1983 – Crime Scene Investigation. FBI Academy. Quantico, VA
1982 – Alco-Sensor Breath Instrwnent Training, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy. Whittier, CA
1981 – Intoxilyzer Training, CMI Corporation. Minturn, CO
1980- Forensic Alcohol Supervisor School, Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Santa Ana, CA
1980 – Drug and Alcohol Recognition Training, Los Angeles Police Department Academy. Los Angeles, CA
1979 – Driving Under the Influence Training: Drugs and Alcohol Recognition/Field Sobriety Testing, Training, South Bay Police Training Committee. Instructors: Dr. Marcilene Bums, Dr. Herbert Moscowitz and Sgt. Kenneth Studdard, Los Angeles Police Department. Torrance, CA
1979- Controlled Drinking/Driving Study, Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles, CA
1979 – Field Sobriety Testing Training/Nystagmus Training and Evaluation, presented by California Highway Patrol Instructors. Huntington Beach, CA
1978- Gas Chromatography Seminar, Occidental College. Los Angeles, CA
1975 – Instruction to Criminalistics, FBI Academy. Quantico, VA
1974 – Controlled Drinking/Driving Study. Terminal Island, CA
1973- Controlled Drinking/Driving Study. El Toro, CA

Expert Testimony Experience

1973 – Present
Blood Alcohol Testing and Interpretation

1973 – 1998
Controlled Substance Identification

1973 – 1980
Crime Scene Investigation

1975 – 1976
Sexual Assault Investigations

Employment History

1998 – Present
Expert Witness and Forensic Alcohol Consultant

1972- 1998
Expert Witness and Forensic Alcohol Consultant Criminalist and Supervising Criminalist with The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Worked in all laboratory disciplines and managed regional laboratory locations.

Evaluated court testimony of subordinates, reviewing/approving their casework. Provided training for law enforcement officers, District Attorneys and Public Defenders in technical matters. Performed analytical case casework, providing expert testimony in municipal, state and Federal Courts.

Licensure And Certifications

Forensic Alcohol Supervisor, California Department of Health Services (While serving with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab.)
(Instructor) Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

Publications And Presentations

Frequent lecturer to Law enforcement agencies, bar associations and community service clubs on narcotics and DUI topics.
Conducted in-depth study of “Boating under the Influence of Alcohol” and produced a video training tape for waterway enforcement personnel.

Norm Fort, Consultant - Forensic Alcohol Independent & Research

P.O. Box 5614 Ventura, CA 93005
Phone: 805-524-3027
Facsimile: 805·524-4673
Pager: 805-339-6808
Email: normfort@sbcglobal.net

Professional Profile:

Forensic Consultant in all types of civil and criminal cases involving any aspect of alcohol and drug use and effect
Serve as an Expert Witness
Instructor to law enforcement
Work as a forensic consultant and provide breath alcohol testing at sobriety check points
Maintain preliminary breath testing equipment for a local police agency

Experience:

Forensic Consultant:

Review cases for both criminal and civil attorneys and appear as an expert witness
Consult with attorneys in preparation for court appearance
Review cases for DMV Hearings
Testified as an expert witness in alcohol related issues over one thousand times in California and other states.
Served for several years as a forensic consultant to local law enforcement at sobriety check points under an Office of Traffic Safety Grant
Has provided over 800 hours as a forensic consultant at sobriety check points
Helped create new case law permitting preliminary breath test results to be admitted at trial

Instructor:

Instruct probation, law enforcement statewide, including the California Highway Patrol, in the use and maintenance of the Alco-Sensor
Served as an instructor in this area continually since 1986

Alco-Sensors:

Began an on-going evaluation of preliminary breath testing devices, including the Alco-Sensor, in 1986
Actively involved in preliminary breath alcohol testing since 1986
Attended several factory training/maintenance sessions and have conferred with factory personnel
Introduced the Alco-Sensor to local law enforcement and assisted in the establishment of preliminary breath testing programs statewide
Testified as Expert Witness in the case of People v. Bury which allows Alco-Sensor results to be admitted at trial
Have evaluated the reliability, accuracy, and sensitivity of portable breath testing devices in a Controlled laboratory environment using alcohol positive subjects (over 50 studies)
Determined practical application of portable breath alcohol devices by testing subjects detained by law enforcement
Testified as an expert witness in criminal trials, civil service hearings, employee/management litigation and DMV Hearings well over 1000 times

Criminalist:

Ventura County Crime Laboratory for over 31 consecutive years
Supervising Criminalist Forensic Alcohol Supervisor of the Forensic Alcohol Program for 16 years
Analyzed both ante and post mortem biological fluids and tissues for alcohol and other volatiles (over 10,000 samples)
Conducted over 100 controlled, comparative alcohol studies to examine age, gender, physical condition, weight, fatigue, and emotional state and eating patterns as factors that may affect alcohol concentration and symptoms of impairment
Testified as an expert witness in alcohol and drug related matters well over 1000 times
Instructor at the Police/Sheriff’s Academy and local law enforcement agencies for over 25 years
Analyzed biological fluids and tissues both ante and post mortem, for drugs of abuse, prescription medications, and other substances (Court Qualified as an analyst and Expert Witness in this area)
Forensic Chemist in the dry drug laboratory for approximately ten years
Analyzed drugs of abuse, prescription medication, marijuana, narcotics and other biological materials (Court Qualified as an analyst and Expert Witness in this area)
Forensic Chemist in the serology laboratory analyzing biological fluids for blood, saliva, seminal fluid and as applicable, determining species, group and polymorphic enzyme profile (Court Qualified as an analyst and Expert Witness in these areas)
Testified as an Expert Witness in several homicide and major crime cases
Established the Isoenzyme Program for the Ventura Laboratory while supervising the Trace Evidence-Serology Laboratory
Forensic Chemist in the Trace Evidence Section (Court Qualified as analyst and Expert Witness in this area)
For over seven years, attended homicide and major crime scenes to evaluate and collect items of potential value as physical/biological evidence (Court Qualified as an analyst and Expert Witness in this area)
Laboratory representative at autopsies on victims of homicide and undetermined cause of death
Guest lecturer and presenter at colleges, universities and forensic conferences

Education:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Divisional Science
With Major Studies in Biology & Chemistry
Master of Science in Criminalistics.

Okorie Okorocha, Esq. - The Okorocha Firm

3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Suite 1038
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: (424) 283-0029

State Bar of California Recognized Certifications:

Admission/State Bar Number: 226658
Nationally Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
Nationally Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer

Expert Testimony

Impairment, Driving Related Impairment, Drug use and Effects, Chemical Analysis of Blood, Blood Testing in Labs and

Hospitals, Breath Testing, Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Science, Field Sobriety Tests, Pharmacology

Experience

Qualified, Testified, and/or appointed as an Expert Witness in the Forensics of Drugs and/or Alcohol in the Superior Courts of 29 California Counties.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Northridge State (C.S.U.N.) 1999

M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences—Specialization in Forensic Science—University of Florida December 2012

M.S. in Forensic Toxicology—University of Florida August 2014

Juris Doctorate– Whittier College, School of Law 2002

Publications

1) Okorocha, Okorie, (2012), Commentary on: Sterling K. The rate of dissipation of mouth alcohol in alcohol positive subjects. J Forensic Sci 2012.

2) Okorocha, Okorie., Strandmark, Matthew, “Alcohol Breath Testing: Is There Reasonable Doubt?.” Syracuse Sci. & Tech. L. Rep. 27 (2012): 124-‐162.

3) Okorocha, Okorie. “FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS: CRIMINAL INJUSTICE.” Journal of Law and Social Deviance 5.1 (2013): 298-325.

4) Okorocha, Okorie, “FLAWED BLOOD TESTS: The DUI Exception to Admissible Evidence” Alb. LJ Sci. & Tech, 2013 (in press)

5) Okorocha, Okorie, “Hospital serum blood tests versus common DUI-‐related whole blood tests” Journal of Practical and Clinical Law Volume 16.1 (2013) (in press)
6) Okorocha, Okorie, “Commentary on Jaffe, Dena H., et al. Variability in the blood/breath alcohol ratio and implications for evidentiary purposes. J Forensic Sci 2013; Epub May 17; doi: 10.1111/1556-‐4029.12157.

7) Okorocha, Okorie, “Commentary on: Vosk T, Forrest AR, Emery A, McLane LD. The measured problem in breath alcohol testing. J Forensic Sci 2014 Feb 6. Doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12406 [Epub ahead f print].”

Testimonials

See What Our Happy Clients Have to Say

In my opinion, the way that Mark handled my case, I would not have wanted anyone else Period! I did consult a few other attorneys before I got to Mark but I knew he was the guy and the rest is history! I would...

Joe P

DUI’s can be scary! I would then explain it’s not the end of the world and if they want someone to handle their case then to talk to Mark Rosenfeld. They won’t regret it.

Oliver C

All I would say is, he is Mr. DUI LA! He represents from the beginning to the end and beyond. No one wants to go in to an experience like this; Mark will do his very best to get you through the experience.

Angela H

DUI’s can be scary! I would then explain it’s not the end of the world and if they want someone to handle their case then to talk to Mark Rosenfeld. They won’t regret it.