Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: Bob Battle
Profession: DUI Defense Lawyer

Former Heisman Trophy Runner-Up Charged with DUI, Hit-and-Run and Marijuana Possession

Category: Celebrity DUI

Before he deals with the players on the Georgia Tech football roster, he needs to settle some personal issues.

Former Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton was charged with marijuana possession, driving under the influence and hit-and-run by university police last week, days after being hired as the athletic department's assistant director of player personnel, according to the Associated Press.
"The matter is under investigation," Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich said. "An appropriate action will be taken upon completion of the investigation."

Hamilton, 31, also was charged with having an open bottle of beer in his vehicle when arrested by Georgia Tech police. He is in custody at the Fulton County jail. Police stopped Hamilton after his sport-utility vehicle matched the description of a car involved in an alleged hit-and-run. When apprehended, Hamilton told officers he hit another car from behind. He then failed field sobriety tests. At the precinct, Hamilton recorded blood-alcohol concentration levels of 0.193 and 0.199, according to the police. The legal limit in Georgia is 0.08, the AP reported.

Hamilton led the Yellow Jackets to the 1998 Atlantic Coast Conference championship and finished second in the 1999 Heisman Trophy voting. Hamilton's post at Tech includes the recruitment of high school athletes.

The alleged hit-and-run collision occurred near the Georgia Tech campus. Charles Curry Jr. of Decatur told police he was stopped at a red light when he was hit from behind. Curry said the motorist drove off. A witness of the accident noted the license plate number of the vehicle that fled the scene. Later, that vehicle turned out to bear Hamilton's license plate number, said the AP.

Hamilton earned a history, technology and society degree from Tech last year. He played briefly in the National Football League and the Arena Football League, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper.

Actress Sandra Bullock and Husband In Crash With Drunk Driver But Unharmed

Category: Celebrity DUI

Yahoo! reports that according to police, neither actress Sandra Bullock nor her husband Jesse James were harmed in a head-on collision with a driver who was driving under the influence.

Bullock and her husband James, the star of popular TV program "Monster Garage," were being driven in an SUV on April 18 when the vehicle was struck head-on by a station wagon that had crossed the center line, according to Gloucester, Massachusetts police Lt. Jerry Cook.

Both vehicles involved in the crash were totaled, but no injuries were reported. According to Cook, the vehicles were traveling at speeds of 15 to 20 mph.

The driver of the station wagon, Lucille Gatchell, registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.20, over twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to Cook. She was held overnight and released on a personal recognizance. Her arraignment was scheduled for April 22.

Cook said that 43-year-old was "gracious" and expressed concerns over the well-being of Gatchell.

Bullock, star of such films as "Speed" and "Miss Congeniality" is currently in Massachusetts to film the romantic comedy "The Proposal."

East Carolina Running Back Williams Charged With DUI

Category: Celebrity DUI

North Carolina's The Daily Reflector reports that Jonathan Edward Williams, a sophomore running back for East Carolina University, has been charged with drunk driving (DUI), according to a report from the Greenville, N.C. Police Department.

Shortly before 11 p.m. on April 5, Williams was arrested on charges of DUI and driving after consumption of alcohol by a person under 21.

Williams refused to take a Breathalyzer test, so a warrant was obtained by the officer and blood was drawn at a lab in Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The result have not been reported.

Williams was confined to the Pitt County Detention Center on a $25,000 unsecured bond and is to appear in court on May 9. He will have an addition court date on April 21 on charges of driving with a revoked license.

Williams is the second Pirate football player to be arrested for DUI within the past year. On March 31, quarterback Rob Kass pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an August incident.

NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony Arrested for DUI

Category: Celebrity DUI

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony scored only 11 points after missing 11 of 14 shots Saturday against a Houston Rockets team missing its best defensive player, Shane Battier.

But it got worse for the former Syracuse University letterman.

Hours after leaving the locker room, the NBA All-Star was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Denver Police pulled Anthony over on Interstate 25 after he was spotted with his high beams on and weaving in traffic.

After Anthony failed field sobriety tests, detective Sharon Hahn arrested Anthony, charged him with DUI and took him to police headquarters. He was later released to a "sober responsible party," according to ESPN.com. Anthony is due in court May 14.

Mark Warkentien, spokesman for the Nuggets, said the team had no comment. Anthony was unavailable for practice Monday, an off day for the team. He is expected to practice Tuesday.

Anthony's attorney, Dan Recht, confirmed Anthony agreed to a police-monitored blood test to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. Results won't be released for two weeks. "Carmelo apologizes to his fans, the Denver community, his teammates and the Nuggets organization for the distraction," Recht said.

Anthony made his first career start in this year's All-Star game. For the season, he ranks fourth in the league in scoring (25.8 ppg) and averages a career-best 7.4 rebounds, according to ESPN.com.

Richmond Braves release Scott Spiezio

Category: Celebrity DUI

The Richmond Braves, the AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, announced that they had released recently acquired veteran Scott Spiezio after he showed up late for a road game and was "not ready to play." The troubled Spiezio was recently charged with DUI in California.
Just last Monday, spiezio reached a plea bargain on the California charges. He was batting .333 for the Richmond Braves (7 for 21). The Braves declined to make further comment about the specifics of Spiezio's condition when he showed up late. For more on this story click here.

Bon Jovi Guitarist Richie Sambora Arrested for DUI Suspicion

Category: Celebrity DUI

Richie Sambora, lead guitarist for the rock band Bon Jovi, was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence in Laguna Beach Calif. on March 26. A woman and two girls were inside his vehicle when it was stopped after weaving in traffic lanes, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department. One of the girls in the vehicle was his daughter, according to entertainmentwise.com.

Sambora spent five hours in jail before being released. He has a court date May 7 on one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sambora failed verbal and manual sobriety tests before being arrested. The musician opted for a blood, rather than a Breathalyzer test at the police station.

Police said Sambora could face an additional charge of endangering the welfare of a child. But first, they want the results of his blood test, which could take a week to process.
The musician spent time at the Cirque Lodge in Utah after completing a 30-day detoxication program at the UCLA Medical Center in 2007. The 48-year-old is one of the founding members of Bon Jovi.

In April of 2007, Sambora ended his marriage with Heather Locklear, with whom they have a 10-year-old daughter, Ava. The marriage break-up followed the death of his father to lung cancer. Most recently, Sambora ended split from actress Denise Richards.
The band, Bon Jovi formed in New Jersey during the 1980s. Two of its' top-selling albums were "Slippery When Wet" and "New Jersey." Fronted by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, the group is known for hits "Livin' on a Prayer," "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "I'll Be There for You," according to MTV.com.

Gilligan's Island Starlet Avoids DUI Trial with Plea Agreement

Category: Celebrity DUI

Dawn Wells, who played "Mary Ann" on the 1960s TV sit-com Gilligan's Island, made a 3 for 1 trade in a plea agreement that likely probably kept her from an extended prison term and saved her driver's license.

Wells, 69, was arrested last October in Driggs, Idaho and charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police found four half-smoked marijuana joints in her car. Wells was returning from a surprise birthday party when stopped.

Wells pleaded guilty to one count of reckless driving and must serve a six-month probation. She was fined $410 and sentenced to five days in jail. Wells' attorney said her friend testified he had left marijuana in Wells' car after using the vehicle that day.

Wells was stopped when a Teton County sheriff's deputy saw Wells' car swerve several times on Idaho State Highway 33.

Wells Stikes Gold on Beauty Pageant Circuit

The Nevada-born Wells played on Gilligan's Island from 1964-67, which ran on the CBS network. She earned a theatre degree from the University of Washington in 1960. A year earlier, she won the Miss Nevada 1959 and competed in the 1960 Miss America Pageant. Before winning the role of "Mary Ann," Wells starred in the television series 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick and Bonanza.

Wells now operates a business making clothing for people with limited mobility. She also acts in local theater and conducts an actors' workshop from her ranch in Driggs. Wells was married to talent agent Larry Rosen from 1962 to 1967.

Paris Hilton's Younger Brother Officially Charged with DUI

Category: Celebrity DUI

Drunk driving is becoming a family affair with the Hiltons.

Barron Hilton, the younger brother of Paris, officially was charged with four misdemeanor counts by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office after being arrested in Malibu, California in February.

Hilton was charged with DUI, unlawful use of a driver's license and unlicensed driving, March 7 according to the Yahoo entertainment web site. The arrest came only a month after the 18-year-old was arrested after allegedly running a man over at a gas station. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.

Teenager Tested Almost Twice the Legal Limit

After Paris refused to bail him out, three friends came to his aide and put down $20,000 to free the heir after he had spent nine hours in jail.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said Hilton tested 0.14 on a breath machine. As in most states, .08 is considered legally drunk in California. The sheriff department also said Hilton had a fraudulent driver's license.

If convicted of the DUI charges, Barron faces a jail sentence and would lose his license for one year. His sister served 22 days in jail in 2007 after a conviction of driving on a suspended license. That followed a DUI conviction in 2006.

Oscar-winning Screenwriter of Movie, "Pulp Fiction" Charged with DUI

Category: Celebrity DUI

Roger Avary, Oscar-winning screenwriter of "Pulp Fiction," was arrested and charged with suspicion of manslaughter and DUI in a January 15 accident that killed his friend, Andreas Zini, who was visiting from Italy.

Avary's wife, Gretchen was thrown from the car, admitted to a hospital and listed in stable condition. The driver's car spun out of control in Ventura County, Calif. and struck a telephone pole. Roger Avary was released from custody on $50,000 bail.

"Roger wishes to publicly convey his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased," said a statement read by publicist Julie Polkes. "Words cannot express how sorry he is. This tragic accident will always haunt him."

Zini died seven hours later on an operation room table at Ventura County Medical Center. Deputy Medical Examiner Shasta Gainer said an autopsy revealed he died of blunt force chest and abdominal injuries.

Avary won an Academy Award along with Quentin Tarantino for writing "Pulp Fiction," and is a co-writer of the recent film, "Beowulf." Nominated for Best Picture in 1995, Pulp Fiction starred John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Rosanna Arquette.

"Lost" Star Michelle Rodriguez Released Early from L. A. Prison

Category: Celebrity DUI

In a case of "lost and found," actressMichelle Rodriguez, formerly of the television series, "Lost," was released from a Los Angeles jail due to overcrowding. She served 18 days of a 180-day sentence for violating her DUI probation in a drunk-driving case from 2005, according to the Associated Press.

Rodriguez received the jail time in October 2007, after admitting she failed to provide proof of community service and drinking alcohol on repeated occasions while wearing an alcohol-monitoring device.

Rodriguez had been on three years probation after pleading no contest to hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license and drunken driving in two separate incidents in 2003. Two years later, she violated her probation and was arrested in Hawaii on a drunken driving charge, reported the AP.

Nonviolent Behavior, Crowded Conditions Free Rodriguez

This week, she was released early under a program dealing with overcrowding by allowing nonviolent female inmates to serve as little as 10 percent of their sentence. She was incarcerated in Lynwood and spent the Christmas holidays there.

As many as 50 women a day are released early, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. "She was treated the same as all other female inmates," he said. "The sheriff supports the desire to have inmates serve full sentences but Los Angeles County has only one women's jail and it is 'bursting at the seams,'" he said.

In 2007, Rodriguez won the American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) award -- which honors Hispanic artists -- for her supporting role on "Lost." Besides her appearance on the ABC television network's "Lost," Rodriguez appeared in the films "The Fast and The Furious," "Blue Crush" and "Girlfight."

Child TV Star Danielle Fishel Arrested on Drunk-Driving Warrant

Category: Celebrity DUI

Former child television star Danielle Fishel was arrested on a drunk-driving warrant from Los Angeles County after she was stopped by Newport Beach Police Dec. 18 for a vehicle code violation, the Associated Press reports. She was released from custody shortly after her arrest. Fishel was Ben Savage's love interest, "Topanga Lawrence" on the ABC sitcom, "Boy Meets World."

After seven years on "Boy Meets World," Fishel became the pitchwoman for Nutrisystem after announcing on The Tyra Banks Show that she had lost 20 pounds with the diet program. A year later, she became a correspondent for Banks' show, according to transworldnews.com.

The 26-year-old was born in Mesa, Ariz., but grew up in Yorba Linda, Calif. She began her run on "Boy Meets World" as a 12-year-old. She has appeared in National Lampoon's Dorm Daze, National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2: College at Sea and The Chosen One, an independent animated film where she does the voice-over for the female lead. Her other television appearances include Full House, Yes Dear and Harry and the Hendersons, according to Wikipedia.

Breathalyzer Machine "Failed the Test," Not Actor Mickey Rourke

Category: Celebrity DUI

"The Breathalyzer was faulty." How many times have judges heard that? Do you think police sympathize?

Well in the case of Mickey Rourke, the test did fail.

The actor was stopped on his Vespa GTV scooter by Miami Beach Police for driving erratically in early November, 2007. A police report said Rourke made a U-turn with a red light and swerved several times. Police said Rourke had a flushed face and bloodshot, watery eyes, his speech was slurred and he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, reported MSNBC.com. Rourke failed field-sobriety tests before being arrested.

At the Miami-Dade County Pre-trial Detention Center, Rourke first tested .081 on the Breathalyzer. But police admitted the control test performed on the machine failed, so they tested Rourke again, according to the web site, superficial.com. On his second test, Rourke's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level read .074.

"A lot of times, probably most of the time, it's good to be Mickey Rourke," the actor's attorney, Michael Grieco told the Miami Herald. "But this was not one of those times."

Rourke Walks After "Failing" Breathalyzer Test

The 51-year-old actor (given name, Philip Andre Rourke, Jr.) has starred in "Sin City," with Jessica Alba and Bruce Willis, "Diner" and "9 1/2 Weeks," "Angel Heart," "Barfly," "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" and "Domino."

Reared in the Miami neighborhood of Liberty City, the former boxer lives in a Miami Beach condominium near where he was arrested. Court records show Rourke was charged with resisting arrest in Miami Beach in 1994.

"I think I made a bad left turn and then I guess I said the F-word," Rourke told WPLG-TV in Miami after posting a $1,000 bond for his jail release last November. "He got pissed off and because of who I am, they kind of sandbagged me," the actor said of the arresting officers.

It's Double-Trouble Now for Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon

Category: Celebrity DUI

Now it's double the trouble for ex-National Football League quarterback Warren Moon.<p>

Arrested back in April for suspicion of DUI in Kirkland, Wash., Moon was arrested on the same charge days before the year ended in Medina, Wash., according to KIRO-TV.com in Seattle. The first charge against the Hall of Fame quarterback last spring had been reduced when Moon pled guilty to first-degree negligent driving.

Police this time noticed expired license tags on Moon's vehicle. The former Seattle Seahawks star produced a valid Texas driver's license to police but a check showed his privileges to drive in Washington state had been suspended.

Moon played 17 seasons in the NFL after playing in the Canadian Football League where he also is a Hall of Famer. He is the only player to be enshrined in the halls of fame in each league. Since retiring, Moon has co-hosted a golf tournament with KOMO-TV meteorologist Steve Pool. The celebrity affair benefits Children's Hospital in Seattle.

Currently, Moon is a broadcast analyst on Seahawks games.

As a senior at the University of Washington, Moon led the Huskies to victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl, where he was named most valuable player, according to Wikipedia. His longest stint in the NFL was with the Houston Oilers, where he quarterback for 10 seasons. The rifle-armed thrower from Los Angeles threw for 291 touchdowns over 208 games in his NFL career. When inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. in 2006, Moon became the first member of the Hall un-drafted out of college as a quarterback.

"Risky Business" Starlet Rebecca De Mornay in Real-Life Hot Water

Category: Celebrity DUI

Actress Rebecca De Mornay, whose starred with Tom Cruise in the 1983 movie, "Risky Business," is in some real-life hot water.

The 48-year-old De Mornay was charged this week by the L.A. District Attorney's Office with two counts of misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) and driving with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of .09.

The "John from Cincinnati" star was arrested in Beverly Hills Oct. 30 on a traffic violation. Officers smelled alcohol on De Mornay's breath and gave her a field sobriety test, which she failed Her arraignment is Dec. 31.

De Mornay co-starred in HBO's "John from Cincinnati" earlier this year and also has had parts on the television series, "ER" and "The Practice." Her movies include "Wedding Crashers," "Lords of Dogtown," "Backdraft" and "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle."

De Mornay was married to sportscaster Patrick O'Neal, son of actor Ryan O'Neal, for seven years. They have two daughters. Born Rebecca Pearch, De Mornay was born in Santa Rosa, Calif. She has appeared in 28 films over a 25-year acting career.

Former "The O.C." Star Mischa Barton Arrested for DUI Suspicion

Category: Celebrity DUI

Reality wasn't as bad as her character's fate in Fox's defunct television series, "The O.C.," but Mischa Barton still spent seven hours in jail after being arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Los Angeles sheriff's deputies stopped Barton at 3 in the morning Dec. 28 after spotting her Range Rover straddling two lanes and then failing to show a turn signal at 3 in the morning in West Hollywood.

In "The O.C.," Barton's character, Marissa Cooper, died in a car accident after three years on the program. The English-American actress recently completed filming for "Walled In" in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Barton Charged With Three Counts

Deputies learned Barton was driving without a license, was in possession of marijuana and was driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. She was released on $10,000 bail and has a Feb. 28 court date. The 21-year-old registered a .12% on a Breathalyzer test.

One of Barton's earliest movies was Notting Hill. As a 12-year-old, she acted alongside Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in the film that was nominated for three Golden Globe awards.

Six months ago, Barton was hospitalized after she consumed alcohol while taking an antibiotic medication.

Ex-Major Leaguer Jim Leyritz Had BAC Level Nearly Twice Florida's Legal Limit

Category: Celebrity DUI

Toxicology results released January 18 reveal former major leaguer Jim Leyritz's blood-alcohol levels were nearly twice Florida's legal limit when he was involved in a fatal accident December 28, according to ABC News. Leyritz had blood-alcohol levels of 0.14 at 6:10 a.m. and 0.13 at 7:12 a.m.

Iinitially charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage, Leyritz now faces an additional manslaughter charge, according to Fort Lauderdale Police.

The last we heard from ex-Major League Baseball catcher Jim Leyritz, he was hitting a game-tying home run for the New York Yankees against Atlanta in Game Four of the 1996 World Series. His team eventually won the Series, the Yankees' first title in 18 years.

But days after Christmas, 2007, Leyritz's performance was far from heroic.

The 44-year-old was charged by Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Police with DUI manslaughter and DUI property damage after a motorist he collided with died. Leyritz allegedly ran a red light and then ran into a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Fredia Veitch of Plantation, according to SI.com. Veitch was ejected from her vehicle and later died at a hospital. If convicted on the DUI Manslaughter charge, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Leyritz posted an $11,000 bond and was released from the Broward County jail. Police believe alcohol was involved in the crash. Investigators are awaiting results of a BAC test from the blood of Leyritz, who refused a Breathalyzer test. It later was dscovered Leyritz was driving with a suspended license.

Witnesses Claim Leyritz Ran Red Light

Police were called at 3:20 a.m. on Dec. 28 to respond to a crash in the entertainment district, said detective Kathy Collins. Leyritz was driving a 2006 Ford Expedition when he collided with Veitch's 2000 Mitsubishi Montero. Police said Veitch was ejected from the car and died at Broward General Medical Center.

Eyewitnesses told police Leyritz ran a red light. Officers said Leyritz had red, watery eyes, a flushed face and an odor of alcohol.

Leyritz played 11 seasons in the Majors, hitting .264 with 90 homers. Besides the Yankees, he played for the Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Padres and Dodgers.

Must See Video: NFL Receiver David Boston's DUI Arrest Lacks Probable Cause

Category: Celebrity DUI

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver David Boston was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after police found him asleep behind the wheel of a Range Rover. However, the video is completely lacking in the necessary "probable cause" to arrest for DUI.

This video should be required viewing for every judge who hears DUI cases and demonstrates the problems with the so-called field sobriety tests. Throughout this almost 15 minute video, Boston deals with an incredibly condescending white police officer and still performs the tests despite explaining that he rolled his ankle in practice and has had knee surgery on both knees. He never slurs a single word, asks for a breath or blood test on several occasions and, after standing on one leg and holding one foot in front of him for 30 seconds as instructed, extends his leg behind him while standing on one leg. Rather than responding that someone truly under the influence would not be able to do this maneuver, Officer Onetrackmind points out that he never asked Boston to do this additional, more difficult move!

Listen to the anal nit-picking of the officer as David Boston walks "heel to toe"- such as his noting a slight space between Boston's feet or that Boston's arms are not flat at his sides. The sad fact of the matter is that judges are using such evidence to convict people every day of DUI. Boston is actually lucky that he was videotaped because any judge should rule that this videotape demonstrates that the probable cause required for a DUI arrest was lacking. This is why all such field tests should be required to be videotaped and why all interrogations for any crime should be required to be to be recorded. If the ultimate goal of the criminal justice system is to ascertain the TRUTH, no prosecutor, defense attorney or police officer has any reason to object to making these recordings mandatory in all cases.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should also be required to watch the video and should look at the incredibly high number of NFL players or ex-players who have been wrongfully charged or acquitted of DUI in recent years or the Duke Lacrosse debacle to re-think his unfair "guilty until proven innocent" policy demonstrated in the Michael Vick dog fighting prosecution. Here is a partial list of DUI acquittals/dismissals involving pro football players: Steve McNair (charged with DUI while not even driving!), Bruce Smith and Warren Moon were arrested but turned out to be below the legal limit of .08 (Miami receiver Chris Chambers will soon be added to this list with a pending DUI and a BAC of only .06) and running back Reuben Droughns was acquitted at trial of a DUI charge.

Virginia DUI lawyer Bob Battle was successful in getting DUI and Refusal charges dismissed against Baltimore Ravens All-Pro cornerback Chris McAlister in Fairfax, Virginia. Although McAlister was pulled over for speeding and not for being asleep behind the wheel, his field tests were remarkably similar to Boston's in that nothing he did at the scene was going to persuade the white officer from arresting the young black millionaire driving an expensive Range Rover SUV.

Lindsay Lohan Arrested Again for Suspicion of DUI and also Cocaine Possession

Category: Celebrity DUI

Five days after being released from police custody, actress Lindsay Loan was back in prison, this time for suspicion of DUI and possession of cocaine. Lohan was arrested July 24 by Santa Monica (Calif.) Police while chasing the mother of her personal assistant, who had quit her job with the 21-year-old actress hours earlier.

Lohan was also charged with driving on a suspended license. Earlier this week, Lohan had been booked into the Beverly Hills jail stemming from a May drunken driving charge and misdemeanor hit and run charge. That jail stay lasted 45 minutes after she posted a $30,000 bond.

Pair of DUIs Lands NFL player on Suspended List for Two Regular Season Games

Category: Celebrity DUI

For one National Football League player, a drinking problem has cost him three game checks. Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen will not suit up until his team faces the Minnesota Vikings in game three of the 2007 season. That's if he abides by the terms of the suspension.

During his suspension Allen's DUI attorney would be wise to monitor his participation in an alcohol abuse program. One more DUI and one of the NFL's up-and-coming pass rush specialists could be selling insurance in Missouri. With three DUIs in the span of two years, who knows what attorney could bail out the former star player at Idaho State University.

There are "one-time" offenders and there are "problem drinkers." However Allen views himself, he has a some kind of problem. Even when he suits up, coaches have to wonder whether he has stayed clean during the season. It is not known if Allen's attorney has sought some form of counseling for his client. Is Allen's problemi alcohol dependency? Is it personal? Could it be two random acts of carelessness? Only Allen knows. But maybe his DUI counsel can help him find the answer.

Allen will miss games against Houston and Chicago before making his 2007 debut against the Vikings at home. The original suspension of four games was cut in half after the league heard Allen's appeal.

Allen Aims to Tackle Drinking Issue

Since the arrests, Allen has become involved in local charities, most notably a group that raises funds to combat juvenile diabetes. The former Idaho State University player pleaded no contest to the most recent charge in September and entered a diversion program to resolve the first DUI incident from May.

A fourth-round choice in the 2004 draft, Allen has developed into one of the league's top sack threats. He has 165 tackles, 27½ sacks, 10 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and one interception in 47 appearances, 41 of them starts.

Raiders RB Rhodes pleads guilty to Reckless Driving; DUI Charge Dropped

Category: Celebrity DUI

Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes pleaded guilty to reckless driving Wednesday after prosecutors dropped DUI charges against him.

Rhodes, 28, who spent the past six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, was fined $1,000 and served 2 days in jail in exchange for the guilty plea during a brief appearance in Marion County, Indiana, Criminal Court.

Rhodes, who was stopped for speeding 81 in a 55 mph zone registered a .09 bloof-alcohol level on the breath test. He was originally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08.

Those counts were dropped due to evidence problems and Rhodes' blood-alcohol level being 0.09 after he was stopped on Feb. 20 on Indianapolis' northwest side, said David Wyser, chief trial deputy for the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. The legal limit to drive in Indiana is 0.08.

Wyser declined to elaborate on the evidence problems and denied that Rhodes was given preferential treatment

Rhodes who gained 113 yards rushing in the Super Bowl win over the Bears, signed in the offseason with the 2-14 Oakland Raiders. Perhaps the prosecutor felt that Rhodes had suffered enough by going from from "first to worst!"

Continue reading "Raiders RB Rhodes pleads guilty to Reckless Driving; DUI Charge Dropped"

Actor Ray Liotta Arrested and Charged With DUI

Category: Celebrity DUI

Actor Ray Liotta was arrested in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 17, 2007, on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after crashing his car into two parked vehicles in Pacific Palisades. Liotta was released after posting $15,000 bail and ordered to appear in court next month. No one was injured in the collision. Liotta was alone in his car.

In the "Celebrity DUIrony" of the week, Liotta stars with Tim Allen, John Travolta, William H. Macy and Martin Lawrence in the buddy comedy "Wild Hogs," set for release March 2. Liotta plays the hard drinking head of a tough motorcycle gang that comes into contact with the 4 suburban recreational bikers. Once again, life imitates art imitating life- or something like that.