Psychological assistant placed on probation following drunk driving conviction

February 17, 2011

On August 12, 2010, the California Board of Psychology issued a Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order on psychological assistant Shana Nicole Garcia, placing her on three years probation with numerous terms and conditions.

According to the Board’s Accusation, Garcia pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, driving with blood alcohol of .08% or more and hit and run with property damage.

The document states that on or about July 24, 2009, Garcia drank two beers with dinner after and then attended a movie, after which she consumed more alcohol, between 9:30 and 11:30pm.  She recalled driving in her car to go home but had no memory of occurrences during the drive until 11:57, when she found herself at the side of the road with a police car behind her.  She was advised that she’d been in a minor traffic collision with another vehicle and had driven from the scene.

She had no memory of the event.  She was unable to perform any of the field sobriety tests.  Field preliminary alcohol screenings produced readings of .212 and .225 blood alcohol levels.

She was sentenced to three years probation, $390 fees and fines and restitution to the collision victim, among other things.

The terms of the probation imposed by the psychology board includes practice monitoring, attendance in an alcohol and drug abuse treatment program and repayment to the Board of $2,670 in investigation and enforcement costs, among other things.

Source: Accusation and Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order, in the Matter of the Accusation Against Shana Nicole Garcia, Psychological Assistant Certificate No. PSB 33230, Case No. 1F-2009-200848, OAH No. 2010040705, California Board of Psychology.