DUI

Celebrities and booze, it happens all the time.  It’s a deadly combination, almost literally especially when they get behind the wheel.  Do you know that these celeb’s keep the lights on at most criminal defense law firms?

It’s amazing that not everybody in school these days doesn’t want to be a criminal defense lawyer.  These celeb’s will keep them in business for years to come if they follow the act of our TOP 10 DUI’s stories of recent times:

10. Gary Collins Pleads Guilty to DUI after Fatal Accident
9. Rebecca De Mornay Arrested for DUI
8. Mickey Rourke Arrested for DUI on a Scooter
7. Kirsten Storms Arrested for DUI after Littering Stop
6. Michelle Rodriguez Arrested for DUI Again…and Again..
5. Kurt Angle Arrested for DUI Based on Telephone Call
4. Ty Pennington DUI Case Closes Quickly
3. Vivica A. Fox DUI – Shades of Mel Gibson?
2. Kiefer Sutherland Designs His Own DUI Sentence
1. Lindsay Lohan – Let me count the ways…

So what is the take away from this list?  Well – don’t drink and drive.  According to the CDC: “In the United States, motor vehicle–related injuries are the leading cause of death for people ages 1–34, and nearly 5 million people sustain injuries that require an emergency department visit. The economic impact is also notable: motor vehicle crashes cost around $230 billion in 2000.”

End result:  Don’t drink and drive people it’s the law – or are celeb’s above the law?  Only time will tell.

Jayson Williams is at it again. Since his retirement from the NBA, Williams seems to be preoccupied with the law. He is known notoriously for his 2002 involvement in the death of a limo drive. This case left the jury in a deadlock and is set to be retried.

More recently, the former New Jersey Nets ball player was arrested in NYC’s Manhattan after driving his SUV into a tree earlier this month. Witnesses of the incident say that Jayson Williams was oddly sitting in the passenger seat when the police authorities arrived. This was bizarre since no one else was in the car when he was driving. Looks like it’s time to find a good DWI attorney!

Naz didn’tw escaped going to jail recently when he was pulled over by police outside Atlanta, Georgia.  Police suspected the rapper of being under the influence of marijuana and alcohol and looking to get him on a DUI.

There was police footage of Naz completing the tests and failing to follow the procedures.  Although he was officially arrested and charged, the Henry County Police dropped the charges.  I’m sure that any Atlanta Drunk Driving  Attorney looking at the tape could tell some mistakes were made.

First the police shouldn’t have the headlights of the vehicle facing shinning directly into his eyes, and second the police emergency lights are also shown to interfere with these tests.

Naz’s brother (Jabari Jones, who was with him) was found to have marijuana on him and was arrested.

Later when asked about the incident, Naz said he was a victim of profiling.

Get sober or get divorced!

Los Angeles Melanie Griffith, 52, star of the movie Working Girl, was given an ultimatum by husband of 13 years Antonio Banderas – get sober or get divorced! Banderas joins the ranks of families who are witnessing a loved one’s addiction and want them to stop their destructive behavior before it results in a DUI arrest in California.

According to Star Magazine, Griffith checked in this week at the Cirque Lodge facility in Utah for a 30 day stay at a cost of $26,00-$30,000 to detox from her alcohol addiction. The beautiful Cirque Lodge has hosted other celebrities – Lindsay Lohan and Kirsten Dunst. Drug and alcohol abuse is fairly common among celebrities, and unfortunately expected.

Multiple Drug Addiction Treatments

This isn’t Melanie Griffith’s first time in a rehab facility. In 1988, she was sent to a facility for alcohol and cocaine addiction, and in 2000 was sent there for abusing painkillers.

California Punishments for DUI

In case you weren’t aware of it, abusing painkillers and alcohol can land you in the slammer if you’re caught driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol (DUI). Although some states have different DUI laws, the most common one is a breathalyzer test. A score of .08 or higher can lead to an arrest for DUI in California. Depending on what number offense it is for you (first, second, third), your punishment can be jail time, a fine, community service, attendance at a driving class, loss of a driver’s license, and probation. You can read the DUI page at the California Department of Motor Vehicles webpage to learn more about the punishments for DUI in California.

Melanie’s punishment would be even worse – getting divorced from her hottie husband, Antonio Banderas.

DUI Charges Seem to Follow George Michael

George Michael, famous English singer previously of the group Wham! hit a tractor-trailer early Friday in London. The 47-year-old musician was said to be driving over 100 mph when he caused the trucking accident. The truck driver said Michael appeared to be confused and dazed when he abandoned his car. Witnesses at the scene said he appeared intoxicated; however, he was later released after being questioned by the police.

Previous DUI Offenses

George Michael is no stranger to providing a defense for DUI and drug possession charges. In February 2006, he was charged with drug possession. In April of that same year he hit parked cars while the next month he was involved in another motor vehicle crash. The next incident in October of 2006 left Michael unconscious. The punishments in the 2006 DUI incidents amounted to community service and a fine. Finally, in June 2007, George Michael was banned from driving for two years.

Sexual Misconduct

The infamous driving while intoxicated celebrity was also arrested in 1998 for engaging in a lewd act in a Beverly Hills, California park bathroom. The police officer who made the arrest was unfortunately the victim of a video which Michael later made poking fun at the incident. In 1998, the police officer filed a personal injury lawsuit against Michael for emotional duress. The case was later dismissed.

Well-Known for DUI Charges

Most celebrities want to be well-known for their achievements. George Michael, even though he sold over 100 million records worldwide in this career, is becoming well-known for his legal issues instead.