Description of A Recent High Profile DUI Case
July 16, 2018
Driving under the influence is not just a charge saved for regular citizens, even well-known individuals break the law. We delve into a recent high profile DUI to show you the process and the similarities and differences when it comes to being a well-known individual charged with a DUI.
In addition, the DUI itself may be cause for extra media attention, by this we mean the circumstances surrounding the DUI, people involved, and the number of injuries sustained. A major accident that was caused by a DUI typically invades the morning news easily.
High profile individuals don’t just include celebrities, the category also includes CEOs and presidents of companies, government officials, restaurant owners, non-profit directors, and many more. If you have a position that has a high amount of responsibility, regular media coverage, and you are involved in the community, this case may sound similar to some of your experiences.
Two Cases Examined
We are highlighting two recent DUI cases in the U.S. that exemplify why having an experienced and knowledgeable DUI attorney is essential in your case, especially if you are involved in a high profile case.
Sam Donaldson
The ABC news correspondent was best known for covering political conventions and events since the mid-1960s. At the age of 79, he was arrested in 2012 for failing to pass the field sobriety tests administered during the traffic stop.
When the arraignment occurred, his attorney argued that there are several factors, besides alcohol, that result in a person failing field sobriety tests. The judge dismissed the case for lack of evidence. This case shows how having an experienced DUI attorney can prove the unreliability of field sobriety tests.
Alfonzo Dennard
The famous cornerback with the New England Patriots was subject to a traffic stop one night. Once the officers approached, Dennard refused to give a blood test. When this occurs, the refusal typically enhances the sentence and prolongs the jail time.
However, because Dennard was a first-time offender, and was cooperative after the fact, he pled no contest to refusing to comply with a blood alcohol test, and the district attorney dropped the DUI charge. He was sentenced to fewer days in jail and community service.
Your DUI attorney will explain how voluntarily agreeing to participate in a substance abuse program typically lessons the time your serve in jail, if any, and the amount of time for community service and probation. In addition, it may be possible to pay a fine in exchange for no time served in jail, and instead, have the time converted to community service hours.
Hiring a DUI Attorney Is Essential to Your Case
Experienced DUI attorneys know how to negotiate and the optional programs the district attorney offers that are not common knowledge to the typical defendant. These alternative sentencing options are not easy to look up or understand what qualifies you to receive an alternative.
Having an advocate on your side that understands this area of the law is necessary for preserving your rights and seeking the best possible outcome.
Request an appointment in our Pittsburgh office here.