The popular nightspot, Sharkeez, has alleged that the police are targeting the club for DUI drivers.  According to a news source, the owner has gone on record with his complaints.   According to one report, the bar has the highest rate of DUI arrests for customers than any other.  Sharkeez’ owner Ron Newman says  “the numbers can’t be linked directly to Sharkeez.”  

Newman believes that the popularity of his bars in both Hermosa and Huntington Beach is drawing excess attention to the goings-on there, and that “police officers are usually stationed outside his restaurant” ” waiting to arrest patrons.” 

In the eyes of one Hermosa Beach DUI Lawyer , this practice, if true, borders on the violation of the driver’s constitutional rights, namely the fourth amendment. The owner says that it’s possible those motorists had drinks at other places after being at Sharkeez, or perhaps did not distinguish that they had been at the Newport Beach location. Newman insists they do not serve anyone who is “obviously,” or “overly” intoxicated, but if they can tell a patron has had too much, they will cut them off.

A practice known as a “bird dogging” has been around for many decades where officers wait outside a bar and chase after patrons leaving in their cars. A stop is made for some trivial reason. Though not automatically illegal, the practice has been banned in most departments.

If you have been the victim of an illegal stop contact Hermosa Beach Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew Ruff.