This repeat drunken driver could spend 5 years in prison for his 11th DUI conviction

Sheyanne N Romero
Visalia Times-Delta
Steven Elms

A Tulare County man got behind the wheel of a car nearly a dozen times while he was intoxicated, Tulare County prosecutors said. 

He now faces prison time for a string of drunken driving convictions dating back 20 years. 

More recently, a jury convicted Steven Elms, 44, of felony driving under the influence of alcohol and felony driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or higher.

The last time he was caught, Elms' blood-alcohol level was .15 percent — nearly twice the legal limit, prosecutors said. 

Prior to trial, Elms pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of driving on a suspended license and failure to utilize an ignition interlock device.

“Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute the entirely avoidable crime of DUI, to the end that we have a dedicated attorney assigned to prosecute DUI offenders," said District Attorney Tim Ward. "There are too many options available to get home safe instead of driving under the influence. If you see DUI on the road, call 911.”

Elms was arrested in May.

He was seen driving 90 mph and swerving by a Tulare County sheriff's detective on Road 256 between Terra Bella and Porterville, prosecutors said.

He was arrested after a California Highway Patrol officer evaluated him and found signs of intoxication.

This conviction marked Elms’ 11th DUI conviction since 1998 and his ninth DUI conviction in California. Court records show he had two prior convictions in Utah. 

  • 1998 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
  • 2001 – Misdemeanor driving under the influence of liquor (Utah)
  • 2003 – Misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Utah)
  • 2005 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
  • 2007 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
  • 2012 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
  • 2014 – Misdemeanor driving with .08% BAC or higher
  • 2014 – Felony driving with .08% BAC or higher
  • 2016 – Felony driving with .08% BAC or higher
  • 2016 – Felony driving with .08% BAC or higher

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 7. The maximum sentence for Elm's crimes is five years and four months.

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