Las Vegas DUI Articles

Find herein various articles about Nevada DUI attorney arrests, attorneys, lawyers, celebrity arrests and interesting dui arrests. This page attempts to be serious, yet not too serious. There will be good news pieces mixed in with bad news pieces. Enjoy the articles at your leisure. These articles are simply housed here as points of interests and some are linked to the original sources. See our Contact Us page if you want to include an article.

Thousand Come Out for Labor Day Weekend, Few DUI Arrests

Nevada DUI articles Sept., 6th 2009 - Massive beach crowds in San Diego; motorists in Arizona, unconstitutional checkpoints are being setup around the nation and all for a very few arrests.

Reports around the nation try to paint the scant arrests as some grim picture, but the weekend is over. Typically on the actual Monday holiday, families head home in preparation for work and school. This was a very quiet holiday weekend. One can only assume that the lack of jobs and financing saw many stay home anyway.

Free vacation spots, like the beach, saw many crowds. But, they were all cooperative and sober. Very few states have reported fatalities related to alcohol if at all.

DUI Arrests for Women Rising While DUI Arrest for Men Falling

DUI articles DUI arrests have rising by 28% from 1998 to 2007. This is according to the Transportation Department reports. For men DUI arrests have actually fallen off by 7.5% during that time.

The numbers, however, for male arrests for DUI are simply staggering. In 2007 there were over 620 thousand DUI arrests for men, for women the figure is a mere 162 thousand.

Mother's Against Drunk Driving, a mostly female organization that lobbys for the prohibition of alcohol, had nothing to say about the rise in female DUI arrests.

“If you're over the limit, you're under arrest. This is a matter of life and death,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement released to the media.

Shia LaBeouf Loses License Over DUI

Los Angeles - star of “Indiana Jonesa and the Kingdome of the Crystal Skull” and the blockbsuster “Transformers”, was booked for a misdemeanor DUI and then released for medical attention for his injuries. Shia LaBeouf has had his driver’s license suspended stemming from the accident and a case of suspected drunk driving in Los Angeles, California. LaBeouf was involved in a two vehicle accident in West Hollywood last July. While he was initially arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, the LA County Sheriff’s Department later said there was insufficient evidence to press charges.

At the time of the accident, the ‘Transformers’ star refused to submit to a breath test to check for blood alcohol content. Even though he was cleared of CA DUI charges, that refusal was used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to automatically suspend LeBeouf’s license. California DUI law states that a person’s license shall be suspended for up to one year when he/she refuses to submit to a chemical test (blood, breath or urine) when drunk driving is suspected.

It was later determined that the other motorist ran a red light and struck LeBeouf’s Ford pick-up truck while he was making a left turn. LeBeouf, 22, had his hand crushed in the accident and has had two surgeries since the July 27 accident. LaBeouf rolled the truck he was driving, injuring his hand and knee in the process.

LaBeouf was previously arrested in Chicago last year after a drunken confrontation with a Walgreens guard and was charged with criminal trespass. The charges were later dropped.

Update Charles Barkley DUI

The former Phoenix Suns basketball player and current TNT sports host, was sentenced to ten days in jail following a no contest plea to driving under the influence in Arizona. That was reduced to three days after he agreed to attend alcohol counseling. Barkley was released Monday morning shortly before 8:00.

Barkley, who reported to jail on Saturday, was kept in a separate tent from the general inmate population and he had his meals brought to him. He was also released each day between 8:00am and 8:00 pm on work furlough. While the Tent City Jail in Maricopa County is notorious for making inmates wear pink jump suits, Sir Charles avoided such attire during his stay.

Three’s Company Star Joice DeWitt [brunette pictured left] arrested on suspicion of DUI

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Joyce DeWitt was born on April 23, 1949 in Wheeling, West Virginia, so her age is 60. Joyce became a household name as Janet Wood in “Three’s Company”, from 1976 until 1984. Alongside John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, Joyce had families laughing across America. However, after the television show ended, Joyce rarely returned to the screen. Her poor experiences with the show’s producers deterred her from continuing much more in the business, although she did produce “Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company”.

Joyce DeWitt was pulled over around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2009 on suspicion of DUI. The El Segundo Police officers were responsible for the arrest, with Sgt. Howard explaining, “An officer saw DeWitt drive a vehicle past a barricade intended to control vehicular traffic near a park. As the officer spoke with DeWitt, he observed signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication.” Witnesses said DeWitt pulled up in a black sports car, parked, and staggered toward a police officer standing in uniform next to his motorcycle. Officers say DeWitt appeared to be intoxicated, so they administered a field sobriety test. DeWitt was booked at the Police Department, she was cited and released at 1:20 a.m. Sunday on $5,000 bail.

Pitbull Found Innocent of DUI Charges

Miami-Dade -- Rapper Pitbull has escaped a prison term for driving under the influence after he was found not guilty of the charge by a Miami, Florida jury. He was cleared of all charges.

The hip-hop star, real name Armando Perez, faced time behind bars following his 2007 arrest, when he was caught allegedly speeding down a highway at 93 miles-an-hour.

Pitbull argued his innocence, claiming police had only stopped him because of his fame, telling the Miami-Dade courtroom last week, "I was targeted because I am a celebrity."

The arresting officer took the stand on Wednesday, testifying that Pitbull had refused to step out of his car during the incident and when he did, failed to walk in a straight line as part of a series of sobriety tests.

However, the jury appeared to agree with the star and he was acquitted on Thursday after just three hours of deliberations.

$2,000 Reward for a DUI Fugitive

LAS VEGAS -- A $2,000 reward has been offered for a fugitive charged with felony hit and run who has been accused of breaking free of his house arrest device.

Carlos Henriquez was arrested in March on charges of felony DUI in the death of James Corrao. He was later released with a house arrest device and did not appear for his April court date.

Ga. Drops DUI Charges Against NASCAR Truck Owner

MCDONOUGH, Ga. (AP)

Georgia officials have dropped DUI charges against NASCAR Truck Series team owner Billy Ballew stemming from his arrest at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 4.

Henry County Solicitor General Charles A. Spahos filed an administrative dismissal of the charges Monday in State Court. He says a jury would have had a hard time convicting Ballew based on the facts in the case.

A Henry County Sheriff's sergeant arrested Ballew, who owns a condo at the track, after Ballew was stopped at a credential checkpoint. Authorities say Ballew had a beer can in the car and refused to take a field sobriety test.

Spahos noted in the dismissal notice that the officer at the credential check made no reference to smelling alcohol or seeing any evidence Ballew was impaired.

[Dear reader note that just because an officer stops you doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. Under Nevada law your Las Vegas DUI Lawyer can advise you to refuse a FST or Breathalyzer.]

Update on Donte Stallworth

Donte Stallworth was charged on April 1st for Felony Dui Manslaughter in the death of 59 yr old Mario Reyes, in Miami Florida while coming out of a swank South Beach night club.

Arrangements have been made for Donte to submit to authorities. He will post $200,000 bail and return to the Cleveland browns within 24 hours. No Court date has been set as of yet.

His B.A.C. level was 0.12 well above the 0.08 which is the lowest criminal limit, in Florida. However, the pedestrian was reported as being outside of the crosswalk so all factors must be taken into account before judgment can be passed.

Florida has a comparative negligence law, i.e. what role did his B.A.C. play in the killing of the man. He will be charged with felony dui manslaughter. Florida law carries a sentence of 4 to 15 years for Felony DUI Manslaughter.

The browns have not made any statements, but are taking a back seat to the league. The league is still waiting for the commissioner to say anything about the leagues conduct policy and substance abuse policy. League reprimands can range from 3 games for a regular dui charge to 11 games for a felony charge.

Donte has been ordered not to drive at all, nor consume any alcohol while on bail. Also he has been put on a midnight to 6 a.m. curfew.

Apparently Donte did flash his lights at Mr. Reyes and was within 10 mph of the speed limit. Donte was quoted as saying

"I hit the man LYING in the road".

It may be the case that Donte will end up not serving any time and the charges being dropped if the evidence proves these statements true.

My sympathies go to both the Reyes family and to Donte Stallworth. It must be very emotional for the loss of a husband and father, and to suffer from taking someone's life.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. He previously played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Dante Stalworth hits and kills Pedestrian

[click on link for full story]

Skateboarder Convicted of DUI

Corey Mitchell Symes made Queensland, Canada history for all the wrong reasons. He was the first ever to be convicted of “drink-driving” while on his skateboard. Maroochydore magistrate Tom Killeen described as "silly conduct". Corey, 22, plead guilty to being under the influence of alcohol while riding his skateboard on a public road. Police had seen Symes riding his skateboard. He went through traffic lights and swerved between lanes at speed while clutching an open can of rum. When tested he had a B.A.C. level of 0.095. Corey told magistrate Killeen he was "sincerely sorry" for his actions and would never repeat them.

[Dear reader does this article make any sense? I am not making this up. It truly happened in a court of law.]

"You understand how dangerous your conduct was," he told Corey. "You were affected by alcohol and screaming down a hill towards a road intersection.

"You could have got yourself killed or caused accidents to other people on the road by your conduct."

“it was not necessary to disqualify Corey’s license because he had not been behind the wheel of a car at the time”

“that could change if he came before the court again "for this sort of silly conduct".

District Superintendent, Ben Hanbidge, said outside court that at the time of his arrest Symes had told police he was using his skateboard because he was "too drunk to drive".

Superintendent Hanbidge said it happened near where a young French tourist suffered fatal head injuries while skateboarding down a steep hill last December.

Man on A Bicycle Charged and Convicted of DUI

A Montgomery County, Pennsylvania resident convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol a few years ago, traded in his motor vehicle for a bicycle; to prevent himself from receiving any future DUI related charges.

On July 4, 2007, he was riding his bicycle from a holiday party when he was struck by an automobile. He was taken to the hospital, where his blood alcohol content was tested. Testing resulted in a BAC reading of 0.155, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08. He subsequently was arrested for drunken bicycling; an offense punishable by the same penalties as Driving under the Influence.

[Dear reader, at this point you might be wondering if I am pulling your leg. These are all verifiable court cases.]

Pennsylvania law considers a bicycle as a vehicle, and that riders are subject to almost all of the same rules as drivers of motor vehicles.

“Here, the statute is clear...Someone on a bicycle is subject to the DUI statute and he was pedaling his bicycle while under the influence on a roadway.”

The bicyclist was sentenced to 15 consecutive weekends in jail, or 30 days, and 22 months of probation for a second DUI offense within 10-years. He also was ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and court costs, ordered to complete an alcohol-related highway safety program, and must follow any other recommendations after being evaluated for alcohol abuse. His driver’s license has been suspended for up to 18-months.

Pennsylvania law states that “Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway...shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.” Pennsylvania statute defines a “vehicle” as “every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway.” Pennsylvania law mandates minimum sentences for DUI and DUI related crimes. Penalties are determined according to elements of the crime, as well as other factors such as prior convictions within the past ten years.

[Dear reader do you see a disconnect in the law and the spirit of crime prevention? I warn you to not fight the law, but find yourself a good Las Vegas DUI Lawyer]

Man In Wheelchair Gets Charged with DUI

Woman Charged in Wheelchair DUI Case

High School Officer in Wheelchair Charged with DUI

Woman on Horse Charged with DUI

DUI Charge on a Horse Dropped on Appeal

Dissenting opinion wrote:

"A horse is a horse, of course, of course,
but the Vehicle Code does not divorce
its application from, perforce,
a steed as my colleagues said.
"It's not vague," I'll say until I'm hoarse,
and whether a car, a truck or horse
this law applies with equal force,
and I'd reverse instead."