Why this coverage matters
Raimondo’s role
Defense counsel addressing release conditions, the client’s service history, and mental-health concerns connected to an occupational injury.
Coverage highlights
- Central issue: Coverage of bail proceedings for a retired correctional sergeant charged with felony DUI and hit-and-run offenses after a serious collision.
- Raimondo’s involvement: Defense counsel addressing release conditions, the client’s service history, and mental-health concerns connected to an occupational injury.
- Archive record: KGET 17 News, published January 3, 2025.
Read the archived coverage excerpt+
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A retired sergeant with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is facing felony charges after a crash in which he’s accused of leaving the scene and driving with a blood-alcohol content three times the legal limit. Bail for Arnulfo Ryan Valverde was reduced Thursday from $700,000 to $45,000 on conditions including he immediately report to the probation department and be placed on an alcohol-monitoring device.
He is to have no alcohol in his system. A prosecutor opposed the change, telling a judge Valverde poses a public safety risk and should remain in custody. Driver in fatal Ming Ave crash says passenger grabbed wheel; police say driver was impaired The prosecutor noted Valverde had a BAC of 0.24% after the Nov. 26 crash that injured two people — requiring one victim to get surgery on both wrists. A bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey was found in his car.
Valverde was arrested in the 10100 block of Stockdale Highway, which police said in a probable cause declaration was “in the nearby area of the collision.” Defense attorney Mark Anthony Raimondo said Valverde will comply with all conditions of release. He said the former sergeant had a distinguished career and has no prior criminal record. An on-the-job injury resulted in issues including “mental health conditions,” Raimondo said.
Valverde is charged with two counts of DUI causing injury, and hit-and-run causing injury. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Feb. 3.
This excerpt was recovered from Raimondo Law’s prior WordPress news archive. Editorial ownership remains with the named news organization.
Original source
KGET 17 News
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