Former Newscaster Paula Lopez to Face Jail Time
LATEST UPDATE
Former KCOY 12 news anchor Paula Lopez Ochoa pled no contest to one count of driving under the influence, two counts of delaying or resisting a peace officer, one count of refusing a chemical test, and one count of battery on a peace officer.
In a settlement reached by the prosecution and defense Friday morning, Lopez is to serve 120 days in county jail, abstain from alcohol for three years, obey all laws, and attend three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week for three years. Every six months she will be required to provide proof of completion.
Lopez’s sentencing terms also includes taking the anti-alcohol drug Antabuse for three years, and attend counseling as directed by her mental health counselor.
Additionally, Lopez will be required to complete a nine-month DMV-licensed DUI driver education course.
Lopez will remain on probation during the next three years and is subject to a possible maximum three years in county jail if she violates any term of her probation.
Lopez will begin her sentence in July 2016.
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ORIGINAL STORY
A settlement has been reached in the DUI charges against former KCOY 12 anchor Paula Lopez Ochoa.
The prosecutor and defense attorney for Lopez appeared in Santa Barbara County Superior Court Friday morning. They met with Judge Thomas Andele privately.
Lopez was arrested in September 2015 for DUI and battery on a peace officer.
Judge Andele announced that Friday’s settlement would be put on record and announced at 1:30 p.m.
All cameras and other recording devices have been banned from Lopez’s court proceedings.
