Fullerton, CA Psychiatrist John N. Alvarez Convicted of DUI, Obstructing Public Officer

October 3, 2023

On March 3, 2023, the Medical Board of California brought Accusations against Fullerton, CA psychiatrist John Alvarez, citing that Alvarez was convicted of a crime, used alcohol in a dangerous manner, and engaged in unprofessional conduct. 

This action by the Board was based on Alvarez’s March 28, 2021 arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence and failure to cooperate with law enforcement officers. On that date, officers with the San Luis Obispo Police Department observed a vehicle driving the wrong way on a one-way street at a high rate of speed and running through stop signs. The officers eventually found the vehicle parked. Alvarez had fled on foot, but soon returned to the vehicle. He denied drinking alcohol before, during, or after driving. The officers detected the odor of alcohol emitting from Alvarez’s person and noticed that his eyes were watery and unfocused, his speech was slurred, and his gait was unsteady as he walked. 

The officers administered a series of field sobriety tests, which Alvarez performed poorly and failed to follow instructions. Alvarez avoided blowing into the blood alcohol concentration device and stated he did not want to provide a sample. He was placed under arrest and a non-consensual blood draw warrant was obtained. He was transported to a hospital for a blood draw where he repeatedly pulled away from the staff trying to draw his blood, pulled the needle out of his arm and hand, and flailed his arms and yelled. Hospital staff made three attempts but none were successful. Alvarez was transported to jail, where he began crying and making threats against himself. The officers placed him in a padded safety cell.

On July 12, 2021, the Superior Court of California charged Alvarez with driving under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor. Additionally, he was charged with obstruction and resisting a public officer, which is also a misdemeanor.

On March 7, 2022, Alvarez pled no contest to driving under the influence of alcohol. The Superior Court of California sentenced him to a two-day jail sentence and supervised probation for three years. 

Source: Accusation in the Matter of the Accusation Against John Nathaniel Alvarez, M.D., Physician’s and Surgeon’s Certificate No. A155288, Case NO. 800-2021-076670, Medical Board of California, March 3, 2023.