California Department of Justice forensic lab assisted prosecution with testimony and evidence

“Driving under the influence is so very preventable, it just doesn’t need to happen, nor should it given all the available ride options.  It’s a dangerous thing and can be deadly.  Thank you to our California DOJ criminalists who assist counties with processing evidence and testifying in court when needed.”

–CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

UKIAH – On September 16, 2025, a Mendocino County Superior Court jury found Jewelina Priscilla Acosta, 35, of Ukiah, guilty of driving a motor vehicle on June 20th while under the influence of alcohol and driving a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol of .08 or greater, both as misdemeanors.

Alcosta was also found guilty of driving without being in possession of proof of being insured, an infraction.

The jury found true a special allegation that Alcosta, while driving under the influence, was driving southbound on Highway 101 at more than 100 miles per hour on both the roadway and shoulder south of Perkins Street in Ukiah.

Prior to jury selection, Alcosta was convicted by plea of two additional misdemeanor counts of driving a motor vehicle on a suspended license, which was suspended due to her driving with an excessive blood alcohol in 2023.

Such admissions are a common defense strategy undertaken in an attempt to prevent a jury from hearing evidence during the prosecution’s case-in-chief of the suspension and, more importantly, the reason for the license suspension.

The law enforcement agencies that presented testimonial and other evidence during the trial were the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Justice forensic laboratory.