Driving under the Influence (DUI) is one the most serious and potentially life-threatening offence. Different terms are in place for DUI in different jurisdictions. These include Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Operating While Intoxicated (OWOI) and Operating a Motor Vehicle Intoxicated (OMVI). In the eyes of the law, they are all one and the same thing and are usually dealt with in a similar fashion.
DUI is also one of the most commonly found offence that many celebrities and high profile individuals have been known to be charged with. Among some of the leading celebrities in history that have been pulled over or charged with DUI include:
George W. Bush – the former President of United States and very well-known for the role he has played in taking American to war with Iraq. Bush was arrested for DUI in Maine in 1976. He plead guilty and was charged with a fine of $150. His driving privileges in Maine were also temporarily revoked.
Paris Hilton – In September 2006, Paris Hilton as pulled over for erratic driving. She was charged with DUI and received a sentence of three years’ probation subject to attending an alcohol abuse awareness programs. She was also charged fines and her license was suspended. She was pulled over a second time for driving on a suspended license. She also went to court for probation violation and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. She was released after a few days because of medical issues but then was sent back to jail and stayed there for 23 days.
Dick Cheney – The former Vice President of United States was arrested twice for driving under the influence within an eight month period back in the 1960s. He also had to pay fines and his driver’s license was suspended for a brief period of time.
Lindsay Lohan – the actress and singer has been in the media quite a few times for driving under the influence and car crashes. In May 2007, Lohan was charged with DUI and was also suspected of having cocaine in her car. Despite a few stints in rehab, she was again charged for DUI in July of 2007. A woman called 911 stating that she was being chased by Lohan. When the officers pulled her over, she was tested for alcohol and her blood level was found to be between 0.12 and 0.13. She was also found with a small amount of cocaine in her pants pocket.
Nick Nolte – famous actor of some classic action films was arrested for drinking and driving in September 2002. The California Highway Patrol found him totally out of it and drooling. Nolte pleaded no contest and was fined $500. He also had to undergo a 90 day treatment program and three years of probation.
Mel Gibson – was arrested for DUI in July 2006. He was pulled over for speeding and was also found to be making a slew of anti-semantic comments. He was sentenced to three years’ probation, 90-day alcohol-abuse program, 12 months of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, a fine of $1300 and a 90 day license restriction. Gibson has to endure a great deal of negative publicity after this incident but volunteered to do several public-service announcements on the hazards of drinking and driving. He also entered rehab voluntarily.
Nicole Richie – arrested for DUI in December 2006. She was driving the wrong way on the 134 Freeway and was pulled over. She was also found to be under the influence of Vicodin and marijuana. Richie was sentenced to four days in jail, a fine of $2048, three years’ probation and an alcohol education course.
Busta Rhymes – the popular rap artist was pulled over for tinted windows in May 2007 and was found to be drunk.
Jennifer Lynn Jackson – the 38 year old former Playboy Playmate was pulled over in June 2007 and was caught with a large amount of beer bottles, marijuana and rolling papers in her car. She failed her breath analysis test but still pleaded not guilty. The field tests were on police video camera and thus her not guilty plea did not work.
EVE – the female pop-rap super star was arrested for DUI in April 2007 and was sentenced to 36 months informal probation, ordered to wear a SCRAM alcohol monitoring ankle bracelet for 45 days and had to enrol in a three month first-offender alcohol education program and to attend 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Vivica A. Fox – the African American actress was pulled over for speeding in 2007 and subsequently found to be over the legal limit of alcohol in her system. She was quite vocal during the time of her arrest and accused the officer in charge of being a racist.
Haley Joel Osment – was arrested for DUI at the age of 18. He was found to be driving with a .05 percent blood alcohol content which is illegal for anyone under the age of 21. He was also charged for possession of marijuana. He got a plea deal with a three years’ probation, 60 hours of alcohol rehab, six months of AA meetings and a fine of $1500.
Tracy Morgan – comedian and actor was arrested in December 2005 for a blood alcohol level of 0.13 percent. He plead no contest and received 3 years of probation.
Rip Toron – was arrested in 2004 for drunk driving after he hit a taxi. He was later acquitted. Then in December 2006 he was in an accident and was charged with drunk driving. He pleaded guilty and had to pay a fine of $389 and a license suspension for 90 days.
Diana Ross – was clocked in at over triple the legal limit after being pulled over in December 2002. She pleaded no contest and was given a 2 day jail sentence and a one year of unsupervised probation.
Michelle Rodriguez – arrested in December 2005 for DUI. She received a 5 day jail sentence and a $500 fine.
Cynthia Watros – was pulled over for DUI and pleaded guilty. She had to pay a fine of $312 and had to undergo an alcohol assessment seminar and 14 hours of counseling. Her license was suspected for 90 days.
Please contact New York City Criminal Defense for DUI Cases and more legal assisatance.
