The ABC's of Celebrity and famous DUIs. Its not the end of the world. You can get DUI and still be successful.  

A)

Kurt Angle  TNA Pro-Wrestling Champion, was arrested at home on Friday September 28, 2007 in a Pittsburgh suburb after an anonymous tipster called police and reported a Black Cadillac Escalade with license plates registered to Mr. Angle was seen driving erratically.  Mr. Angle allegedly was under the influence at his home and admitted to driving his vehicle from a drinking establishment.  Angle's attorney stated that his client was innocent and would be proven innocent when the truth was discovered.  Remember all criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty by the State in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.

B )

Pamela Bach, November 28, 2009. Pamela Bach, ex-wife of David Hasselhoff and former Baywatch t.v. star was arrested on Saturday, November 28, 2009 for DUI after driving on the 101 near Laurel Canyon Boulevard. She was taken to the Van Nuys Jail by the California Highway Patrol.

Charles Barkley, December 31, 2008. Former NBA Star and TNT NBA Commentator received a DUI in Scottsdale Arizona.

Charles Barkley was allegedly stopped by police for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign after leaving a popular night club.  Mr. Barkley allegedly failed field sobriety tests but was reported as cooperative.  He allegedly initially refused to submit to a blood test. According to the police, Charles Barkley’s blood alcohol level was tested 0.149 above the legal limit of 0.08 in Arizona.  Remember all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mischa Barton, December 27, 2007,  Hollywood actress Mischa Barton who played "Marissa Cooper'" on the hit T.V. series "The O.C." was arrested early Thursday morning and jailed after being stopped by L.A. Sheriff's Deputies for failure to maintain her lane and failure to signal.   A subsequent investigation resulted in her arrest for suspicion of drunken driving, marijuana possession and driving without a license.

English born Mischa Barton, who is 21 years old, is best known for her role as Marissa Cooper on  "The O.C."   She made her movie debut at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival in the film "Lawn Dogs" and appeared in the movies  "The Sixth Sense" and "Notting Hill."  Remember, all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until they either admit guilt or are found guilty by a jury of their peers by evidence presented in court beyond a reasaonable doubt. 

George W. Bush, September 4, 1976, Presiden of the United States. Maine police arrested George W. Bush for driving under the influence of alcohol.  Bush was stopped on Labor Day weekend holiday near his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush plead guilty to the misdemeanor DUI charge, paid a fine of $150, and had his driving privileges suspended in the state of Maine.  Which just goes to show you that a DUI is not the end of the world, you can get a DUI and still be president.  Of course, this was back when a DUI was little more than a traffic ticket.

Jerry Buss, owner of the L.A. Lakers, pleaded no contest to DUI on September 4, 2007.  The NBA suspended him for two games and fined him $25,000 for his conviction DUI. Jerry Buss, who is 74, was arrested in May of 2007 in Carlsbad, CAL., and pleaded nolo contendre to his DUI arrest. He was placed on five years' DUI probation and fined $1,900.00.He was ordered to participate in a DUI first-conviction program and attend a DUI educational program administered by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Dick Cheney, Vice President of the United States. Cheney's first DUI conviction came in November 1962 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Cheney was arrested for  "operating motor vehicle while intoxicated."  Cheney was found guilty of the DUI charge suffered basically a $150 fine and  a 30-day suspension of his driver's license.Cheney was arrested again in July 1963 in Rock Springs, Wyoming.   He received a $100 fine.  Which just goes to show you that even two DUIs are not the end of the world, you can get two DUIs and still be vice-president. Of course, this was back when a DUI was little more than a traffic ticket.

Gary Collins, TV personality and former host of the "New Hollywood Squares", pled nolo contendere to DUI on Thursday, December 6, 2007 after an accident with a 89 year old motorist in October 2007.  He was sentenced to 96 hours in jail, 100 hours of community service, an 18 month alcohol education program, and four years probation.  Nolo pleas don't work in Georgia DUIs as they have no effect on jail, records or license suspensions since a 1997 change in Georgia law.  For Atlanta DUI and Georgia DUI charges there is no such thing as a Nolo defense.  

D)

Taylor Dayne, March 6th, 2008, pop star and singer of the hit "Tell it to my heart" was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Beverly Hills.  Police allege that she failed field sobriety evaluations.   Her attorney claims that there was no articulable suspicion of criminal activity to justify a traffic stop and that she tested under the legal limit for driving with alcohol in California.  In Georgia, a person can be arrested and charged with DUI even if they blow under the O.08 legal limit if the state can prove they were "less safe" to drive because they consumed alcohol than if they had not consumed alcohol beyond a reasonable doubt.  This is becoming more common in Georgia DUIs.   Recently, I have had clients with DUI charges and breath tess of 0.79 in Clayton County, Henry County and Forsyth County were the DUI prosecuting attorney refused to reduce the charges to reckless driving.  So far we have not lost any of these cases at trial (jury or bench).  Remember all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of their peers.   

Rebecca De Mornay, October 30, 2007, the sultry high dollar prostitute that popped Tom Cruise's cherry on his way to Princeton after becoming a high school senior pimp and single-handedly brought back the Ray-Ban Wayfarer in the eighties box office hit "Risky Business," was stopped by the "Beverly Hills Police Department" (who knew they had a police department). Police stopped  the 48-year-old actress around 10:30 PM for an unknown traffic violation on Sunset Blvd.  They "immediately detected an odor of alcoholic beverages."  De Mornay performed several field sobriety tests and allegedly failed.  Her blood alcohol registered 0.09 according to a breath test which should not significantly manifest itself in poor performance in field evaluations. There's a time for playing it safe and a time for Risky Business.  Remember all criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of their peers beyond a reasonable doubt.

Joyce DeWitt, July 4th, 2009, the 60 year old former T.V. Star on the 1970's show Three's Company was arrested for DUI July 4th near a park in El Segundo, California (southern California).  According to Officers, DeWitt drove past a barricade attracting the attention of DUI law enforcement officers who performed Standardized Field Sobriety Evaluations which indicated signs of impairment. DeWitt played Janet Wood on the T.V. sitcom with Susan Somers who played the dumb blonde Chrissy Snow, and Jack Tripper, played by John Ritter, who pretended to be gay so their landlord Mr. Roper would let a man live with two women.  Remember all criminal Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law determined by a jury of their peers beyond a reasonable doubt.

Carlos Dunlap, December 1st, 2009, Defense End and top pass rusher for the #1 University of Florida Football team was found asleep at the wheel of a vehicle by Gainesville Police apparently under the influence of alcohol.  Officers had reports of a vehicle driving recklessly that matched the description of the vehicle in which Dunlap was found. Officers were unable to wake up Dunlap initially so they put the car in gear and removed the keys while he was still asleep.  Once aroused, Dunlap was noted to have an odor of alcohol about his body and person, had trouble maintaining his balance and he performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests.  Dunlap allegedly refused a state administered chemical test of his breath. The incident costs Dunlap his right to play in saturday's SEC championship game against the University of Alabama as coach Urban Meyer suspended him and speculation that his NFL draft status maybe be diminished.  Nonetheless, all criminal Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers in a court of law.  Dunlap was voted the Most Valuable Player in Florida's National title game against Oklahoma last year.

F)

Vivica A. Fox, actress who threw down with Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill" and survived an alien invasion in "Independence Day" plead not guilty to a March 20, 2007 DUI arrest in California on September 28, 2007.  Remember all criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of their peers beyond a reasonable doubt.

G)

Mel Gibson praised by Judge in DUI Court for rehabilitation efforts.  Mitigation is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as to moderate (a quality or condition) in force or intensity; alleviate.  Mitigation is an integral part of any DUI defense.  We encourage Atlanta DUI clients to obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommended treatment when they receive any second in lifetime alcohol offense or a DUI with aggravated circumstances like an extremely high blood alcohol level or a serious accident or injury.  Atlanta DUI Judges appreciate it because the client is taking responsibility for their actions and it gives the judge an objective second opinion which provides an opportunity for lightening the sentence.   A good lawyer can win a DUI but it is a great lawyer who has a plan in case he loses.  A Drug and Alcohol evaluation, AA meetings, and counseling can make the difference between a weekend in jail and a year in jail.  Thirty AA meetings is a lot better than thirty days in jail.  Just ask Paris Hilton.

H)

Darrell Hackney, third string Denver Broncos QB, was arrest December 1, 2007 in Englewood, Colorado on suspicion of DUI.  Police spokesman Brad Johnson said the 24-year-old was pulled over about 2:20 a.m.  All criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Artell Hawkins, former Cincinatti Bengal NFL Player,  was arrested October 10th, 2007 for allegedly Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He allegedly bumped into another car at a gas station.  Officers smelled alcohol and requested voluntary field sobriety evaluations.  Mr. Hawkins refused a breath test.  All criminal defendants are innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers beyond a reasonable doubt.  

If Paris Hilton had hired a DUI Trial Lawyer, she would not be facing serious jail time. Paris Hilton was sentenced on May 4, 2007 to 45 days in JAIL for violating her probation by driving on a revoked license.  Paris could have beat an 0.08 DUI.  Paris Hilton's license was revoked after she plead guilty to DUI for blowing 0.08 right at the legal limit on a machine that has a sample variance of +/- 0.02, that can be affected by mouth alcohol, radio frequency interference, and solvents.  Further, any experienced DUI lawyer understands that a person that blows 0.08 is not impaired, and it would be almost impossible to prove her "less safe" because of alcohol.  Typically, people do not perform poorly on field evaluations until they reach 0.10.  Less Safe is an alternate way to prove DUI guilt.   Studies indicate that at 0.08 a person is as impaired as if they were talking on a cell phone with an earbud or seventy years of age.  "A University of Utah study by David Strayer claims that drivers who use a cell phone will be 'more impaired than drunken drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding 0.08.' The study also says that use will turn a driver who is age 20 into age 70. Ear piece/Hands Free systems apparently don't help much either as they still require a driver to "actively be part of a conversation. "   Cases that some lawyers think are unwinnable are good triable cases if you have the necessary information.  That is why it is important to hire a qualified DUI lawyer especially if you have a DUI in Atlanta or Georgia.  Don't be another dumb blonde joke!

Chris Henry, Cincinatti Bengals wide receiver was arrested early Saturday June 4, 2006 for DUI after a traffic stop.  Henry was pulled over at approximately 1:18 a.m. by Ohio Highway Patrol for speeding 82 miles an hour on Interstate 275 North.  The trooper smelled an odor of alcohol and his vehicle and administered field sobriety tests. At the police station, Henry allegedly registered a .092 blood-alcohol content. The legal limit in Ohio is .08.   Henry was reported to be polite and courteous during the arrest.  Remeber, all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

J)

Jennifer Lyn Jackson, former Playboy playmate of the month,  was arrested on June 30, 2007  in Oberlin, Ohio for suspicion of driving under the influence; her sobriety field test was captured on the arresting officer's dash cam. She was arraigned on July 3, 2007. Police report that open beer, marijuana, and rolling papers were found in the vehicle. Further allegations are that she stole cigarettes and cigars from a gas station. She was born 21 March 1969 in Cleveland, Ohio), was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for April 1989. She was also one of three finalists for the magazine's 35th Anniversary pictorial. Outtakes from her Playmate pictorial, which was shot by Arny Freytag, appeared in Playboy Special Editions several times before her centerfold appearance.

In March 2005, Jennifer and an associate, Stephen Santa, were arrested in Ohio for receiving stolen property, stemming from the burglary of a house trailer. Power tools worth about US$600 were taken from the trailer. Source Wikipedia.

 June 18, 2008, Young Jeezy, Atlanta based rapper was taken into custody for driving under the influence and speeding after he was pulled over on an Atlanta highway early Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Young Jeezy aka Jay Jenkins is a multi-platinum-selling rap artist artist, Jeezy was driving a Corvette when he was stopped about 2:30 a.m. on Interstate 85 by the Atlanta Police Department.  Jeezy's corvette did not have a license plate and drew the attention of the Atlanta DUI cop. The Atlanta DUI police officer charged Jeezy with speeding, driving with no proof of insurance or license plate, having an open container, reckless driving and driving under the influence combination of alcohol and drugs according to press reports.  After his DUI arrest, Jeezy was released from the Atlanta City Detention Center a few hours later on a $4,100 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Atlanta DUI court July 17, 2008.   Remember all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers in a court of law. 

Nasier Jones (Rapper "Nas"), September 10, 2009: The rapper "Nas" became famous for his 1994 debut album ‘Illmatic’ and the style and lyrics containedin that album. Critics consider ‘Illmatic’ to be one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. The rapper "Nas" was arrested in Henry County, Georgia at a DUI roadblock for DUI marijuana on September 10, 2009.  The charges were recently dropped when the blood test came back negative for marijuana. The police report stated, “Mr. Jones had a green tongue with raised taste buds and his pulse was raised to 116 beats per minute...eyelid tremors in both eyes and body tremors.”  The Police also reportedly smelled a strong odor of “raw marijuana.”  These are indicators used by Police Officers trained in Drug Recognition Expert techniques or DRE.  "Blood test negative" means that the DRE drug test protocol conclusively did not work in this case.  Further, Nas reported failed the walk and turn test and the one leg stand. However, he had no alcohol or drugs in his blood test results.  The walk and turn test and one-leg stand are standardized field sobriety tests used to detect alcohol or drug impairment by estimating blood alcohol.  As you see in this case, they don't work either.  The officer smelled the odor of raw marijuana but a search of the vehicle found no drugs.  The smell of raw marijuana is a common reason used to justify the search of a vehicle for illegal drugs.  Two words: "Junk Science."

K)

L)

Jim Leyritz, December 27, 2007, former major league baseball player best known for his post-season heroics, was charged Friday with DUI manslaughter and might face additional charges from the crash that allegedly killed a mother of two dead after Leyritz allegedly ran a red light about 3:30 am after an evening celebrating his 44th birthday with friends.

Leyritz reportedly had red and glassy eyes, performed field sobriety tests poorly and with poor coordination.  He allegedly refused blood test; however, authorities later obtained a sample somehow.  In Florida, manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.  He could also face a first-degree misdemeanor charge of damaging property while driving under the influence.  Police investigators are awaiting the results of blood samples taken from Leyritz.  The other driver who was not wearing a seat belt was pronouced dead at the hospital.

Leyritz played for six major-league teams and batted .264 in an 11-season career. He played for six teams over 11 seasons, including the Angels, the Rangers, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres. He hit 90 home runs and 387 runs batted in in 903 games. His defining moment came when the Yankees trailing the Atlanta Braves by two games to one in the 1996 World Series Leyritz hit a tying three-run homer off closer Mark Wohlers that tipped the series in the Yankees favor. The Yankees went on to win that game, as well as the next two, to capture their first of four World Series titles in five seasons.

Ray Liotta, star of the movie "Goodfellas," pled to reckless driving on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, after an accident in February 2007 resulted in an arrest for DUI prescription drugs.  Prescription drugs are the brave new frontier for law enforcement in DUI arrests.  Frequently, officers will ask drivers what if any prescriptions they are taking without any reason.  Our firm has had several clients charged with DUI after taking antibotics!  This raises questions of medical privacy and HIPPA violations.  Doctors and pharmacists often don't explain the risk of these drugs and possible legal ramifications of driving after following "doctors orders."   This is a great result.  Atlanta DUI lawyers consider a reduction to reckless driving a win in most DUI cases. 

Heather Locklear,  can you say set up?  The star of "T.J. Hooker," "Dynasty," "Melrose Place" and "Spin City," and her film roles include "The Perfect Man" and "Uptown Girls" was allegedly set up by the 911 call Jill Ishkanian, well known paparazzi and former employee of US Weekly, on September 27, 2008.  The alleged Paparazzi 911 call stated that Locklear appeared to be under the influence of some controlled substance.  Concerned Citizen or Profiteering Paparazzi?  Apparently, the 911 call earned Ishkanian $27,000.00.  Witnesses stated that they did not believe that Locklear was under the influence of anything.  Authorities say they will wait and see what blood tests show which begs the question how did you arrest someone, handcuff them, and send them to jail when you are not sure they are under the influence.  Answer: field sobriety tests are designed to be failed not passed.  The police unlike the Constitution presume guilt in DUI cases and not presume innocence. In Atlanta, Georgia, you can be arrested for prescription drug DUI only if the state can prove that you are "incapable of driving safely."  The lesson is that police have no business knowing what prescription drugs you are taking or asking about your health history.  If they ask, tell them you are not a doctor and if they are interested call your doctor.  Since when did health history become a public record.

The Lindsay Lohan situation illustrates that in defending drivers accused of driving under the influence there are some cases where the only defense is intensive inpatient rehab and AA meetings.   I frequently counsel my Atlanta DUI clients that if you have an alcohol problem, get treatment.  I am not a doctor or a psychologist.  My Atlanta DUI clients know if they need treatment.  It is always better to grab the bull by the horns and take responsibility and get treatment before a Judge tells you to get treatment.  No one is going to make you tell the court or jury that you sought treatment prior to trial.  Further, if you don't win your DUI trial it is always a good idea to have a plan B.  I have never had a DUI defendant who did not reduce potential punishment by at least 60-99% by initiating alcohol rehabilitation.  I can not count the times I have heard judges after rehab or intensive AA participation tell a client, "I have never taken a chance on a Defendant before but I am going to take a chance on you."  Its your life and only you can save it.

M)

George Michael, english and international pop star formly of Wham! and later known for his solo album Faith, was sentenced to DUI Drugs in London recently after reportedly being seen driving 5 to 10 mph on the wrong side of the road and then being found asleep at the wheel.   Interestingly, in comparison to DUI sentences in Metro Atlanta and Georgia which would certainly involve some form of jail time and probably rehabilitation if not felony drug charges,  George Michael received 100 hours of community service, 2 year driving ban and an approximately $4600.00 in fines and court costs.   More expensive than in Georgia and Metro Atlanta but considerably more lenient in terms of punishment.

Brandon Marshall, October 22, 2007.  Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was arrested in downtown Denver on suspicion of DUI. Allegedly Marshall was pulled over in downtown Denver shortly after 4 a.m..  The arrest was just hours after the Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 in Denver.  Denver Police Spokesman Sonny Jackson was quoted by the Denver Post of stating, "The average DUI can cost you $10,000 when you get one — and that's basically when you factor in your insurance going up, the fines and court costs and the classes that can be required."  Remember, all DUI defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Eddie Mekka, July 3, 2009, T.V. star who played Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa on the 1970's hit show "Laverne and Shirley" was arrested for DUI after an automobile accident was reported at 12:30 p.m. in Las Vegas.  No injuries were reported.   Remember all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Ned Murray, headmaster of the Augusta Episcopal Day School in Augusta, Georgia, submitted a guilty plea to reckless driving and speeding on reduced DUI Charges in October of 2007.  A reduction of a DUI charge to Reckless driving is an excellent result in any DUI prosecution by his DUI lawyer.  Murray refused the Richmond County DUI test, but the only permissible legal inference from a DUI test refusal is that a person had alcohol in his/her system.  Murray showed no signs of intoxication on the police video in his Augusta DUI arrest despite Augusta DUI police claims to the contrary.  Perhaps the Augusta DUI police were overzealous in their DUI arrest of the headmaster. Remember, all DUI defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.   The lesson learned from this headmaster is never go to court without a qualified DUI lawyer.

R)

Nicole Richie who was arrested in December 2006 after reports that she was driving the wrongway on a Los Angeles freeway and was found parked in a car pool lane and allegedly failed field sobriety tests.   She purportedly admitted taking a prescription drug and smoking marijuana.  In Georgia, DUIs can be based on prescription drug consumption and marijuana but prosecutors must prove the Defendant is incapable of driving safely under the influence of the drugs.  This is nearly impossible with marijuana and at best difficult with prescription drugs.   Remember to avoid the rush to judgment.  All defendants in the American Criminal Justice System are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law with competent evidence.  However, Richie may not want a trial given she has a criminal history regarding possession of illegal drugs and was allegedly driving on a suspended license.  She might win the DUI but could lose on the suspended license.

Michelle Rodriguez, actress who played angry cop marooned on an Island "hell" battling the "others" in the ABC hit series "Lost", was sentenced to six months in jail by an Los Angeles County Judge for violating her DUI conviction probation sentence on Wednesday, October10, 2007.  

Mickey Rourke, November 8th, 2007, was arrested on suspicion of DUI after being seen driving erratically on a Vespa Scooter in South Florida. The Police reportedly smelled alcohol and administered field evaluations which Rourke was accused of failing. 

S)

Baltimore Ravens Return Specialist BJ Sams was found not guilty of DUI.  According to news reports, the video did not capture impairment during field evaluations and Sams was not offered a breath test.   The Judge was reported as commenting that there was a lack of evidence in the case.  Some of the field sobriety evaluation results were disregarded by the judge after the trooper’s testimony was challenged by Georgia DUI expert Tony Corroto, who was paid a generous retainer plus expenses to appear on Sams' behalf.  Atlanta DUI  expert Corroto’s testimony was considered as pivotal by the judge. The State must prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt and conclusory assertions of alcohol impairment and drunk driving are not enough in the face of a lack of evidence.   You can't win a DUI case unless you take it to trial.

Richie Sambora, March 25, 2008, The Rock Band Bon Jovi, guitarist and founding member Richie Sambora (48) was arrested during an investigation for driving under the influence of alcohol.At approximately 11 p.m. Tuesday, a police officer noticed Sambora's  black Hummer weaving in the roadway in Laguna Beach California. Sambora was given field sobriety tests and arrested without incident. He was booked at the Laguna Beach jail and released at 4 a.m.  Sambora opted for a blood test rather than an alcohol breath test which are not accurate.  Sambora had his daughter in the vehicle with him which in Georgia could mean a separate charge for DUI child endangerment counted as a separate and distinct dui for punishment purposes and license suspension raising the minimum jail time to 72 hours, community service to 240 hours and license suspension to 18 months.   Remember, all DUI defendants are presumed innocent until proven guitly.

February 18, 2008, Federal Judge Robert Somma.  This gets filed under you think you got it bad read about this guy.  A Federal Bankruptcy Judge in Massachusetts appointed to the federal bench by President George W. Bush.  While leaving a gay bar in New Hamshire was pulled over by police after rear ending a pickup truck wearing a black cocktail dress, high heels and from his booking photo appears to have been wearing blue eye shawdow.  He plead no contest to DUI a few days later.

June 8 2008, Kenny "Snake" Stabler.  Former University of Alabama quarterback and Oakland Raider NFL quarterback great Kenny "Snake" Stabler was arrested for a third lifetime DUI on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.  Stabler was pulled over at 12:30 a.m. Sunday for an unknown traffic violation. He allegedly failed a field sobriety evaluations, then refused to take a Breathalyzer test.  The 62-year-old Stabler was arrested and charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence. His Dodge Durango was impounded. He was released from jail 13 hours later after posting $1,000 bail.

Robertsdale, Alabama Assistant Chief of Police Brian Middleton was quoted as stating that Stabler will have his license suspended and faces an initial court date on Aug. 13, 2008.

Stabler, who starred at Alabama from 1965-67 and with the NFL's Oakland Raiders for more than a decade, has been employed as the radio analyst for Crimson Tide football for more than 10 years.

Kenny Stabler is no stranger to DUI procedures as he pleaded no contest to a DUI charge in Escambia County, FL, in 1995, and after making an appearance at a world championship boxing match in Pensacola. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in Orange Beach, AL, in a plea agreement where charges of illegal possession of a prescription drug and reckless driving were dropped.

Stabler was quarterback for University of Alabama under legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Under the guidance of the black houndstooth hat, he lead the Crimson Tide to a 1965 national championship and an undefeated season in 1966. He won the Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders in 1977.  Stabler was born in Foley, Alabama and is legendary in the resort town of Gulf Shores, Alabama where he owned a bar/restaurant named "Kenny's Place" in the late 1970's and early 1980's.  Remember all criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the state and have no burden to prove their innocence nor are criminal defendants required to prove their innocence.  A third lifetime DUI can add up to serious jail time in Georgia.  There are no mandatory minimums unless the DUI occurred within 5 years of each other.  However, beginning in July of 2008, a fourth DUI in ten years will be considered a felony.  In Georgia DUI law, a refusal to take an Intoxilyzer 5000 DUI breath test can result in a one year license suspension.  In the City of Atlanta Municipal Court, a 2 in 5, 3 lifetime Atlanta DUI can result in 30 days day for day in the Atlanta Detention Center. 

June 15, 2008, Daren Stone, Atlanta Falcon NFL Safety, was arrested for DUI in downtown Atlanta at dawn Sunday morning and charged with driving under the influence after being pulled over for failure to maintain lane at the corner of Courtland and Andrew Young. Daren Stone was released about 5:30 p.m. Sunday and posted a $1,591 bond.  Stone, who is from Jamaca,  had limited game time last season with the Altanta Falcons.  Stone, who is 22 years old, appeared in 12 games for the Falcons last year and was credited with nine solo tackles. Stone graduated from the University of Maine and was a sixth round choice of the Atlanta Falcons during the 2007 NFL Draft.  City of Atlanta DUIs are generally jail in the Atlanta Detention Center and cases are heard at the City of Atlanta Municipal Court located at 150 Garnett Street.

 September 11, 2007. Kirsten Storms was arrested for suspicion of DUI after being pulled over for throwing a cigarette out of her Mercedes in Los Angeles at 3 am on September 11, 2007. Storms is 23 years old.  Kirsten Storms' Bonnie Rockwaller is the high school social rival to superhero Kim Possible on the long-running Disney cartoon series. Kirsten Storms plays Maxie Jones on ABC's "General Hospital" and played Belle Black on NBC's "Days of Our Lives" from 1999 to 2004.  Remember, all DUI defendants are presumed innocent until proven guitly.

Kirsten Storms was ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after pleading no contest Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of drunken driving.  A Superior Court commissioner ordered Storms to attend a dozen AA meetings and complete a 90-day alcohol program, pay $1,643 in fines and penalties and was placed on three years' probation.  AA meeetings and alcohol counseling programs are common penalties in Georgia and Metro Atlanta DUI cases.

Kiefer Sutherland, on September 25, 2007, was arrested for DUI after making an allegedly illegal u-turn in Los Angeles. Sutherland allegedly tested positive for alcohol in amount in excess of the California legal limit for driving with alcohol of 0.08.  Sutherland was released from jail after posting a bond of $25,000.00.  Sutherland is currently serving a five year probation sentence.  Sutherland is known for his title role on the T.V. Series "24" where he play Jack Bauer.  Remember, all DUI defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

 John Sweeney, November 11, 2007, Former U.S. Congressman,  was arrested early Sunday morning for "aggravated DWI," a misdemeanor, after New York state police saw his BMW weaving on I-87 in Clifton Park at 1:20 a.m.  Allegedly an alcosenor field breath test  was conducted registering 0.18. Sweeney has no prior DUI convictions. Sweeney served four terms as congressman in the 20th Congressional District before losing to Kristin Gillibrand in 2006. A 0.18 blood alcohol content is the minimum for the charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated in New York State. The level of intoxication sets strict plea bargaining limitations. It cannot be pleaded down to less than a misdemeanor nor to a non-drinking offense.  Georgia has no equivalent to aggravated DUI based on blood alcohol content alone, but does for prior DUI history of convictions without regard to the level of intoxication.  However, Metro Atlanta DUI judges usually take the level of intoxication into consideration when issuing punishment for DUI pleas and convictions, especially in counties like Clayton, Henry, Fayette, Coweta and Cherokee. Remember, all DUI defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

W)

Scott Weiland,  Singer of the Stone Temple Pilots, was arrested Nov. 21, 2007 for suspicion of DUI after a minor fender-bender in Los Angeles.  This occurred a week after Weiland's Band, Velvet Revolver, announced the Japanese leg of its tour was off because Japanese Immigration officials had "tak[en] exception with the backgrounds of various band members." The Nov. 21 arrest, the latest for the oft-arrested, oft-rehabbed rocker, was uncovered Monday by TMZ.com. Weiland, who is 40, is scheduled to appear  in a Los Angeles court Dec. 13, 2007 to answer to the DUI drug charges.   Weiland denied driving under the influence, and  indicated that his Breathalyzer test will show his blood-alcohol level was well under legal limit.

Dawn Wells, better known as "Mary Ann" from Gilligan's Island was arrest after a surprise birthday party for her 69th birthday on October 18, 2007 in Idaho.  Apparently, she was seen weaving over the roadway and according to police reports her vehicle smelled of burning "Mary Jane."  When officers pulled her over she had all her windows down and no jacket on (in October in Idaho!?).  Apparently, three hitchhikers left there marijuana cigarette butts in her car.  Some friends also offered to testify that it was their marijuana.  On February 29th, 2008, she pled guilty to reckless driving and five days in jail.  The smell of marijuana can result in a DUI however in Georgia the state must prove that you were under the influence of marijuana to the extent you are less safe to drive to convict you of a Georgia Marijuana DUI.   

Jamal Willingham, on October 29, 2007, nicknamed  "Pimpin" from the rap musical group  "Dem Franchize Boyz"  was stopped and arrested Monday night for suspicion of DUI following a traffic stop in College Park, Georgia just south of Atlanta near the Atlanta Airport..

 Willingham was allegedly stopped after College Park Police detected Willingham speeding on I-285 south of Atlanta. After questioning and field sobriety evaluations, police chose to arrest Willingham for suspicion of DUI.

 Willingham was charged with DUI, littering and speeding. "Dem Franchize Boyz" members include Maurice "Parlae" Gleaton and Bernard "Jizzal Man" Leverette.  They are best known for their songs "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It,"  "Oh I Think They Like Me" and "White Tee."

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