Celebrity DWI News

Minnesota Timberwolves' star Al Jefferson apologizes for DWI arrest

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:03:00 +0000

NBA star Al Jefferson apologizes for DWI arrest

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Basketball player Al Jefferson of the Minnesota Timberwolves apologized Sunday in a statement after his arrest for an alleged DWI. "I want to apologize to the entire Timberwolves organization...and Wolves fans everywhere for my actions," he said.

As punishment, the Timberwolves star center is suspended for the next two games at Dallas and at home against Houston Saturday.

"I made a very poor decision and I am truly sorry... I know that more is expected of me," he said in his apology.

Jefferson was stopped in downtown Minneapolis early Sunday for speeding and changing lanes without signaling, said officials. After he took a sobriety test, he was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for a blood test.

Officials took him to the Hennepin County Jail for suspicion of a DWI. He was released after an hour and faces court on April 23.

Results from the blood test are expected in two to three weeks.

The trooper who arrested him said Jefferson was "very cooperative."

The 6-foot-10 Jefferson missed the final 2 1/2 months of last season after injuring his right knee and undergoing surgery.

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DUI arrest for Miami Dolphins player Will Allen

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:19:00 +0000

Will Allen arrested for DUI

Miami, FL

Miami Dolphins cornerback Will Allen was released Saturday on $1,000 bail after being arrested and charged with DUI in Miami Beach, a Miami-Dade County Corrections spokeswoman confirmed Sunday.

Allen, 31, was arrested about 3:30 a.m. Saturday after revving his Ferrari's engine and refusing to get of his car at a police barricade where the MacArthur Causeway connects to Alton Road, according to an arrest affidavit.

Police noticed Allen's ``bloodshot eyes'' and ``constant sleepy look'' and noted``the odor of an alcoholic beverage was on his breath,'' the arrest affidavit states.

Two Breathalyzer tests were administered, as required by Florida law. The tests showed a blood alcohol content level of 0.152 and 0.167. The legal limit in the state is 0.08.

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Redskins' Byron Westbrook arrested for DWI/DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:36:00 +0000

Washington Redskins' Byron Westbrook arrested for DWI / DUI

Waldorf, MD

Washington Redskins cornerback Byron Westbrook was arrested early Friday on suspicion of drunk driving.

A Charles County sheriff's deputy pulled Westbrook over after 2am in Waldorf, Maryland. Westbrook's car was said to have switched lanes several times. He was reported to smell like alcohol when he opened his window.

Westbrook failed several sobriety tests and is charged with a DWI, DUI and failure to drive right of center.

Westbrook has spent the last two years on the Redskins' practice squad and is looking to earn a roster spot with the team this year. He is the brother of Eagle's running back, Brian Westbrook.

DWI Attorney - St. Louis, MO

Donte' Stallworth back from DUI/Manslaughter suspension, works out with Detroit Lions

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 02:58:00 +0000

Back from DUI/Manslaughter conviction and NFL suspension, Donte' Stallworth works out with Detroit Lions

Detroit, MI

Donte' Stallworth has accepted an invitation to workout for the Detroit Lions.

The last time we heard Stallworth's name, it was in connection with DWI and vehicular manslaughter charges.

For this incident, he was given 30 days in jail (of which he served 24), an extended probation period, and a permanent revocation of his driver's license. More notably to football fans, he was suspended for the entirety of the 2009-10 season.

With the season now behind us, the Browns have released Stallworth, leaving the well-traveled receiver once again looking for a new team.

Stallworth is an oft-shunned receiver looking for a team, and the Lions are a rebuilding team in need of receivers. The marriage makes sense, if it goes through.

But fans and Lions management alike should be careful of expecting too much from the former Tennessee Volunteer.

Stallworth was expendable enough to the New Orleans Saints in 2005 to trade him for linebacker Mark Simoneau and a conditional fourth-round pick after a season in which he pulled in 70 catches for 945 yards and seven touchdowns.

And since 2005, he has been with a different team each year.

In 2006, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, who opted not to re-sign Stallworth despite making it to the second round of the playoffs.

In 2007, the New England Patriots signed Stallworth to a $30 million, six-year deal. He slowly faded off the depth chart that season, and was released after the first year of the deal.

In 2008, the Cleveland Browns signed Stallworth to a seven-year deal worth up to $35 million. He rewarded the Browns by reeling in an average of one reception per game, and then killing a man with his car.

Most daunting to Stallworth's career now is not the slow decline of his production or his legal trouble, but the fact that he has been out of the game for a year.

Stallworth was struggling to make an impact even before his suspension, and it's almost impossible for a player to return from a season-long suspension and still turn a failing career around (what is Pacman Jones up to these days, anyway?).

Worse still is the fact that Stallworth, a first-round pick in 2002, will turn 30-years-old this season. The days of teams considering him a "young project" are long over.

Despite all this, I'm comfortable with the idea of seeing him in Honolulu Blue.

Why? Because underneath it all, he still has talent.

Stallworth is a tragic case of potential not realized, and he's at the point in his career where every chance could be his last chance. And let's face it, if Stallworth is no more useful than the likes of Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt, it might be time to take his act to the UFL.

Which brings me to my next point. To be a good signing for the Lions, Stallworth only has to be minimally effective. Most of the receivers on the Lions' roster would be looking at the practice squad anywhere else, so the bar is set awfully low.

Just as it should be.

Given Stallworth's past, there is reason to believe he can be an effective player. There is also reason to believe he will flop once again.

But hey, most of the players on the Lions' roster flopped last year. The team is primarily made up of castoffs from other teams who are no longer wanted anywhere else.

Stallworth currently fits that bill, but unlike the majority of last year's signings, he might actually have something left in the tank.

A two-year contract says it's worth finding out.

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'Heroes' actor Adrian Pasdar arrested on suspicion of DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:33:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

"Heroes" TV actor Adrian Pasdar has been arrested on suspicion of driving drunk and veering across lanes on the 405 Freeway in West L.A. in the wee hours Wednesday morning.

Pasdar, 44, was pulled over shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to a California Highway Patrol report, after officers saw his Ford F-150 truck doing 94 mph on the freeway near Santa Monica Boulevard and straddling two lanes.

The odor of alcohol was detected in the car, the report says. He was given a field sobriety test and was taken to county jail, then released at about 8:30 a.m. on $15,000 bail.

A Feb. 24 court date is currently scheduled for the misdemeanor.

Pasdar, who has been playing Sen. Nathan Petrelli on NBC’s "Heroes" since 2006 (with some recent unfortunate plot twists), married Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines in 2000. They have homes in L.A. and in Lubbock, Texas.

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Bruce Smith pleads guilty to DUI in Virginia, his 3rd offense in 13 years

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:16:00 +0000

Virginia Beach, VA

NFL Hall of Fame member Bruce Smith pleaded guilty to one count of drunken driving in a Virginia Beach, VA court on Thursday.

Smith was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and complete an alcohol-safety program. He also received a 90-day suspended jail term and had his drivers license restricted for one year.

The former Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins defensive end was arrested on May 14 after police pulled his vehicle over and he failed field sobriety tests. Smith also refused to take a breathalyzer test at the time.

He would later admit to drinking wine with his friends in Norfolk, VA before heading home.

“I made the decision I was OK to drive home,” Smith told the court on Thursday per the Virginia Pilot. “That was the first mistake.”

Ironically, the arresting officer was convicted of DUI after crashing his car while off-duty one month after Smith’s incident.

This was Smith’s third DUI arrest in 13 years. His first case was dismissed while he was acquitted of his second.

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Stephanie Pratt Deals Plea In DUI Case

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:24:00 +0000

Stephanie Pratt Deals Plea In DUI Case
Los Angeles, CA

Stephanie Pratt reached a plea deal on January 7, related to prior charges of driving under the influence. Her penalty goes beyond a slap on the wrist.
The Hills starlet Stephanie Pratt won’t serve jail time for having driven under the influence in October 2009, but she hasn’t been permitted to skip away care-free, either.

People magazine reports that Pratt, 23, and Los Angeles prosecutors agreed to a plea deal on January 7. In place of DUI charges, she pleaded “no contest” to a single misdemeanor account of “exhibition of speed.” The reported sentence was a fine, three years of informal probation, two months of weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and completion of a three-month alcohol education program. Steep or not, this sentence replaced a possible six months of jail time.
Pratt had been arrested for drunk driving on October 18, 2009, after she attended Holly Montag’s birthday party. Pratt told People shortly after that the arrest was “the worst thing to happen to me and, at the same time, it was the biggest blessing.”
Possibly it was blessing’s second helping, since Pratt said the same thing a few years back about getting arrested in Honolulu for drug possession and shoplifting. “I don’t think I would have been able to get off drugs without that huge wake-up call,” she told Us magazine in 2006.

She was around 20 years old then. Aside from the arrests and publicized struggle with substances, Pratt, young as she is, has already been connected to an evident amount of plastic surgery. This is clear in photos that show major signs of lip augmentation. Pratt is also rumored to have had a rhinoplasty and breast implants.
“Stephanie Pratt is still very young, but it is apparent she has had a bit of work,” plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif told MakeMeHeal.com. “Her lips are the most apparent, as they appear plumper than they once were. Her nose it a bit narrower and more perky as well. With someone as young as Stephanie, it is true that less can be more, and the work she has done may not have been of benefit to her look.”
Circumstances show that in Pratt’s case, less is certainly better – be it plastic surgery or recklessness.

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NFL Legend Bruce Smith pleads guilty in VA to 3rd DUI in 13 years

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:07:00 +0000

Virginia Beach, VA

NFL Hall of Fame member Bruce Smith pleaded guilty to one count of drunken driving in a Virginia Beach, VA court on Thursday.

Smith was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and complete an alcohol-safety program. He also received a 90-day suspended jail term and had his drivers license restricted for one year.

The former Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins defensive end was arrested on May 14 after police pulled his vehicle over and he failed field sobriety tests. Smith also refused to take a breathalyzer test at the time.

He would later admit to drinking wine with his friends in Norfolk, VA before heading home.

“I made the decision I was OK to drive home,” Smith told the court on Thursday per the Virginia Pilot. “That was the first mistake.”

Ironically, the arresting officer was convicted of DUI after crashing his car while off-duty one month after Smith’s incident.

This was Smith’s third DUI arrest in 13 years. His first case was dismissed while he was acquitted of his second.

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Missouri SR-22 Filing Quotes for Driver License Reinstatement

Barron Hilton gets driver license back after 2008 DUI, new Merecedes from dad

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:41:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Barron Hilton has shown he's not to be trusted behind the wheel of a car -- but that didn't stop his dad from buying him a $60,000 ride as a reward for getting his license back after a DUI bust in 2008.

Hilton got his driver's license
back Tuesday ... it was yanked after he pled no contest in 2008 to DUI in Malibu, where he allegedly hit a gas station employee with his car.

The 20-year-old went to the DMV and had to re-take his road test. We're told he was sober and he passed. His reward from pops -- a black 2010 Mercedes E550 Coupe.

It may seem like Barron is spoiled, until you realize ... his 15-year-old brother Conrad gets to drive dad's $200,000 Bentley. It's all relative.

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Stephanie Pratt DUI plea deal reached, gets 3 years probation

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:51:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Stephanie Pratt reached a plea deal with Los Angeles prosecutors in her DUI case Thursday.

The Hills star, 23, was sentenced to three years informal probation, completion of a 12-week alcohol education program, as well as three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week for eight weeks, and will pay a fine.

DUI charges were dropped in exchange for a no contest plea to one count of misdemeanor "exhibition of speed."

On the issue of whether she attended rehab, "Ms. Pratt voluntarily sought help from a doctor regarding substance issues but the doctor recommended that she didn't need rehab," Pratt's lawyer Jon Bryant Artz tells PEOPLE.

Following her Oct. 18 arrest, in which she was pulled over after attending Holly Montag's birthday party, Pratt said the incident "was the worst thing to happen to me and, at the same time, it was the biggest blessing" as a life lesson.

DUI Lawyer - St. Louis, MO

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Jayson Williams DWI arrest is latest legal problem for ex New Jersey Nets star

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:24:00 +0000

New York, NY

Adding to a catalog of legal troubles, former New Jersey Nets star Jayson Williams was charged with drunken driving in Manhattan early yesterday after crashing his SUV into a tree, police said.

Williams, awaiting retrial on a reckless manslaughter charge in the 2002 shooting of a limousine driver, suffered facial cuts and a broken bone in his neck in the 3:15 a.m. crash, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Williams was not paralyzed by the neck injury, the New York Daily News reported.

Police said Williams, driving a black Mercedes-Benz SUV, struck the tree after veering off an exit ramp of the FDR Drive at East 20th Street.

Responding officers found him sitting in the passenger seat, and authorities said he told them someone else was driving, a claim countered by witnesses to the crash. He refused to take a Breathalyzer test, police said.

Williams was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center in Manhattan. He could not be reached yesterday, but his longtime friend and manager, Akhtar Farzaie, expressed support for the beleaguered ex-Net.

"I've known Jayson for many years as his friend/manager and know that it is not within his character to ever drink and drive," Farzaie said.

The crash marks the latest in a string of legal woes for Williams.

In April, New York City police used a stun gun to subdue him in a Lower Manhattan hotel after they received a call about a suicidal and violent guest. At the time, he was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. A month later, police in Raleigh, N.C., charged him with simple assault after a bar fight. The count was later dropped.

Williams, who developed a reputation as a ferocious rebounder before injury cut short his NBA career a decade ago, is awaiting retrial in the most serious case against him: The shooting death of limo driver Costas "Gus" Christofi, 55.

In 2002, Williams was showing a shotgun to friends at his former Alexandria Township estate when the gun fired.

Williams beat an aggravated manslaughter charge at his 2004 trial, but jurors deadlocked on the reckless manslaughter count.

He was convicted of trying to cover the shooting up but has not been sentenced pending retrial. Williams remains free on $270,000 bail.

Yesterday's accident came less than a week before he was scheduled to return to Superior Court in Somerville to hear whether a judge will let his high-profile defense team withdraw from the case.

Lawyers Joseph Hayden Jr. of Roseland and Billy Martin of Washington, D.C., asked out of the case last month, citing a breakdown of trust and communication with their client. Hayden and Martin have been Williams' lead attorneys since the first trial in 2004. Also seeking to withdraw are lawyers Christopher Adams and Leigh-Anne Mulrey, who are with Hayden's firm.

While the lawyers are under a gag order in the manslaughter case, Adams offered a comment on the crash.

"At the moment, we are focused on the treatment of Jayson's injuries and thankful to the medical and law enforcement personnel who have helped him," he said. The state Attorney General's Office declined to say whether prosecutors would seek to revoke Williams' bail given yesterday's arrest.

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Saints' defense end Bobby McCray arrested for DWI, uses tweets as a defense

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:27:00 +0000

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Saints defensive end Bobby McCray had not tweeted since December 10, but the lineman is back in full force following a Tuesday morning DWI arrest. McCray took to Twitter this morning to deride the "bogus charge." Intriguingly, the Saint is employing a novel defense argument in claiming that he is guilty merely of "DWP..driving with Pizza.."

McCray also wasted no time to insult the arresting officer, writing that he "was a short guy with a Napolean [sic] complex." In addition to claiming that his fiancé "was feeding me pizza driving home," McCray says he was pulled over "for doing 80 in a 60" and insists he was sober at the time. His final message (so far) is a call to action: "Lawyers mount up, we got some work to do!!!!!" It remains to be seen if McCray's tweets will help him in the court room.

DWI Lawyers - St. Louis, MO

Drunk driving Lil' Bow Wow tweets from Lamborghini, then gives wheel to Chris Brown

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:08:00 +0000

Miami, FL

Rapper (Lil) Bow Wow got drunk and stupid in Miami, something that may have escaped the gossip columns save for Twitter.

Bow Wow tweeted his drunken antics for much of last night, deleting the offensive tweets and apologizing, but not before all the gossip blogs grabbed screenshots. On his @bowwow614 Twitter feed, he first posted a preemptive apology for potentially offensive tweets to follow:

Im bout to be fucked up n drunk tweeting. Im saying sorry now for what i might tweet. But fuck it ! Im young n rich im goin hard 2nite

A few hours later, he made good on his stupid drunk tweets threat, posting twice about taking his Lamborghini out for a spin while so intoxicated he couldn’t feel his face.

Face numb im whippin the lambo. Tipsy as fuck. Just left the @livmiami

Im fucked up!!! Ohhhh damn. Y i drive the lambo. Chris might have to drive after next spot

Around noon today, regret kicked in and Bow Wow apologized for the crime-in-commission tweets:

Apologize for that tweet. it was stupid and immature. not a way i want to kick my #2010 year off. i got too much good stuff lined up. my bad

First time DUI offenses in Florida can carry sentences of 6-9 months. While it’s unlikely Bow Wow will face charges for his behavior, it’s also unlikely he’ll get away with a >140 character apology. If you so drunk and rich, Bow Wow, how come you couldn’t hire a driver?

Drunk Driving Criminal Defense Lawyers - St. Louis, MO

St. Louis Cardinal David Freese's DWI police report

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:20:00 +0000

St. Louis, MO

Upon his arrest Saturday night, St. Louis Cardinal David Freese told police he'd thrown back seven beers -- and proceeded to blow a .232 BAC.

According to this nifty "physiology, alcohol and the human body" chart from St. Louis-based Intoximeters, a blood-alcohol content of .232 indicates the boozer's at the "stage of confusion."

Slightly better than "coma" and "stupor," but worse than "euphoria" and "excitement," sayeth Intoximeters.

So how many beers does it take to reach the apogee of confusion?

According to Intoximeters' equally nifty "Drink Wheel," way more than seven....try 17.

David Freese DWI Police Report

St. Louis Cardinal David Freese was driving with 0.232 alcohol level, report says

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:19:00 +0000

St. Louis, MO

Cardinals third baseman David R. Freese was driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.232 — almost three times the legal limit in Missouri — when he was arrested over the weekend, according to a police report released Tuesday.

He told the arresting officer that he had consumed seven beers, and was driving from downtown to his home near Lafayette High School in west St. Louis County.

The report says that Officer Jeffrey Swatek of the Maryland Heights police stopped Freese at 2:41 a.m. Saturday after seeing his black Acura swerve from lane to lane twice without signaling properly, while driving east on Page Avenue. Swatek began watching Freese at Schuetz Road and arrested him on the southbound ramp to Lindbergh Boulevard.

According to the report, Freese's eyes were "bloodshot and glassy," his speech was slurred, and he appeared to be unsteady on his feet. Swatek reported that Freese was cooperative.

His path of travel was headed away from the direction of his home, but police had no comment about it.

Under state law, drivers in Missouri are considered to be drunk at 0.08.

Freese took a field sobriety test at the scene, the report says. A breath test at the police station at 3:28 a.m. registered 0.232.

He received summonses in Maryland Heights municipal court for driving while intoxicated and failure to drive within a single lane.

Dr. Doug Schuerer, director of trauma surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, said the effects of alcohol vary with a person's size and drinking habits and the amount of food in the stomach.

"Some people at that level may be completely asleep," Schuerer said of the 0.232 reading. "Others may be coherent, but they would certainly be slurring their words. There's no question that they would fail most field sobriety tests, such as being able to walk in a straight line."
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The police report listed Freese as an "alcohol prior offender." Police would not explain what that relates to but did say that such a notation does not necessarily mean an offense involving a vehicle.

Freese had been charged with public intoxication and obstruction of an officer at a hotel and casino in Lake Elsinore, Calif., in 2007, and was placed on probation after pleading guilty of obstruction. The intoxication charge was dropped.

That incident was about two months before the San Diego Padres, whose Class A team played near the hotel, traded Freese to the Cardinals.

The team announced Monday that Freese had entered its employee assistance program. His agent, Phil Tannenbaum, called it "a mutual decision" and said Monday that Freese "is not an alcoholic by any stretch of the imagination."

It was the fourth known alcohol-related incident involving the Cardinals since March 2007.

The club released Scott Spiezio in February 2008, after his arrest on DUI and other charges involving bizarre behavior in California two months before. Also in 2007, manager Tony La Russa was arrested for DUI in Florida, with blood alcohol tests registering 0.093 and 0.092. And relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed that year when he crashed his SUV into a parked tow truck on Highway 40 (Interstate 64). Hancock's blood alcohol was 0.157.

Maryland Heights Police Chief Thomas O'Connor said the officer who arrested Freese was part of a state-financed anti-DWI program. "We had several officers assigned to the DWI detail that evening," O'Connor said. Freese's was one of two alcohol-related arrests that night.

"He was treated like anyone else," O'Connor said. "He was booked, processed and his vehicle was towed."

In February 2008, Freese suffered injuries to his feet and ankles when his car ran into a ditch along an icy road near Ellisville. There was no police report in that incident.

St. Louis, MO DWI Lawyers

St. Louis Cardinals, David Freese address Maryland Heights DWI arrest

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:04:00 +0000

St. Louis, MO

Cardinals third baseman David Freese agreed Monday to enter the club's Employee Assistance Program after being arrested Saturday for driving while intoxicated, the second time in 27 months he has faced an alcohol-related charge.

"We take these matters very seriously and we continually reinforce with our players that they are to be accountable both on and off the field," the Cardinals said in a statement issued Monday afternoon. "We apologize for the embarrassment that David's actions have created."

The Maryland Heights arrest report, released Monday, said police working a DWI enforcement patrol stopped Freese at the intersection of Lindbergh Boulevard and Page Avenue at 2:41 a.m. Saturday after noticing his car weaving. Freese was alone in his car and cooperated with police when stopped, according to the report. He took a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. The report did not disclose Freese's blood-alcohol level except to say it exceeded Missouri's legal limit of 0.08.

Police booked Freese into the Maryland Heights jail and ordered his car towed. "It's unfortunate he's a Cardinal, but he was treated just like anyone else," said police spokesman Lt. Joe Delia.

A date is not yet set for Freese to appear in Maryland Heights municipal court.

General manager John Mozeliak, who voiced disappointment over the incident Sunday night, has spoken with Freese.

Freese's agent, Phil Tannenbaum, described Freese's entry into the Cardinals' EAP as "a mutual decision."

Typically, the club keeps such measures confidential; however, the Cardinals noted EAP's involvement via a statement released shortly after examining the arrest report.

Tannenbaum described the incident as more a lapse in judgment than indicative of a larger problem.

"David is not an alcoholic by any stretch of the imagination. That's probably the best answer I can give," Tannenbaum said.

"David is cut from an excellent piece of cloth. David has never had a problem with alcohol. It's something that's very, very isolated."

However, it is the second time Freese has been arrested on alcohol-related charges. He was arrested Sept. 12, 2007, for public intoxication and resisting or obstructing a police officer in California. The misdemeanor charges stemmed from an incident at the Lake Elsinore Hotel and Casino, situated blocks away from where the San Diego Padres' Class A team played its home games.

The Padres traded Freese to the Cardinals two months later for center fielder Jim Edmonds. At the time the Cardinals were unaware of Freese's previous arrest or the case's pending adjudication.

The public intoxication charge was eventually dropped, but Freese pleaded guilty in January 2008 in a Riverside County court to the obstruction charge and was sentenced to three years' probation. It is not known whether Saturday's arrest will impact his probation.

"There is no correlation between the two," Tannenbaum said.

The Cardinals became aware of Freese's previous arrest last February, after details surfaced about a January accident in which the Lafayette alum lost control of his car on an ice-slicked road near Ellisville. Freese sustained injuries to both feet and ankles when his car veered into a ditch. Though he made the Cardinals' opening day roster, Freese eventually required surgery to repair his left foot and lost roughly half the season.

Police did not file an incident report on last year's accident.

The Cardinals have not disciplined Freese, according to Tannenbaum. "I believe Mo would have said something to me if that was going to happen," he said.

Mozeliak declined to comment Monday. Freese has meanwhile retained St. Louis defense attorney Scott Rosenblum.

"He's regretful that he put himself in a situation that has caused any embarrassment to the organization, the fans and his family," Rosenblum said Monday. "He's taking immediate steps to address any issues that caused him to place himself in this unfortunate situation."

Freese's arrest is the fourth known alcohol-related incident involving the Cardinals since March 2007. Most recently, the club released veteran Scott Spiezio in February 2008 after additional details surfaced about his December 2007 arrest in California that began with a hit-and-run.

Spiezio's arrest occurred in the same year in which manager Tony La Russa was arrested for DUI during spring training and relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed when he crashed his sports utility vehicle into a parked tow truck hours after the team played the Chicago Cubs.

Tannenbaum insisted that neither Freese's arrest nor his participation in EAP should compromise his chance to contribute to the 2010 team. Freese has worked almost daily with Cardinals strength and conditioning coach Pete Prinzi, shedding about 10 pounds since the season ended.

"David already has accomplished a lot this winter working with Pete," Tannenbaum said. "All of those remain in order. The legal process is going to run its course. David is still focused on the next 60 days."

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David Freese of the St. Louis Cardinals arrested for DWI in Maryland Heights

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:34:00 +0000

St. Louis, MO

Cardinals third baseman David Freese was arrested in St. Louis County early Saturday morning on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Maryland Heights police confirmed Sunday.

Maryland Heights Police Capt. Mike Klos declined to provide details of the incident.

"The investigation is ongoing and we're in the process of completing the report," said Klos, adding the department would make a statement today regarding the incident.

Maryland Heights police did not make available an incident report Sunday, but sources familiar with the case confirmed Freese was arrested in the early-morning hours.

No details were given on whether police administered a field sobriety test. Missouri defines a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 as the threshold for DWI.

Freese's arrest represents the fourth known alcohol-related incident involving the franchise since March 2007. It is also the second vehicle-related incident involving Freese this year.

The Lafayette High alum suffered serious injuries to both feet last January when his car skidded off an ice-slicked road as he was en route to a charity bowling event.
The incident cost Freese a chance to make the major-league club in spring training and eventually required surgery on his left foot. Freese returned in time to hit .300 in 56 games at Class AAA Memphis and was impressive enough in a late-season cameo with the Cardinals that general manager John Mozeliak suggested he deserved first shot at next season's third-base job.

Mozeliak acknowledged learning of Freese's arrest Saturday. "At this time I do not know all the details," he said Sunday night. "We are extremely disappointed upon hearing this."

Mozeliak said he has spoken to Freese since his arrest but reserved further comment until the Maryland Heights police release their report.

A source familiar with the incident said Freese was not involved in an accident.

Freese, 26, has been a regular in the Busch Stadium weight room this offseason and is generally rated the minor-league system's top power prospect. However, Saturday's incident has not played well in an organization that banned alcohol from its clubhouse following the death April 29, 2007 of relief pitcher Josh Hancock, who drove a rented sports utility vehicle into the rear of a parked tow truck on Interstate 64.

Hancock's death occurred less than two months after manager Tony La Russa was arrested at a Jupiter, Fla., intersection for driving under the influence. La Russa referred to his arrest as an "embarrassment" and publicly apologized to the organization.

Veteran utility player Scott Spiezio was released by the Cardinals in February 2008, two months after his arrest in Southern California after hitting another vehicle with his car, veering off a highway, crashing into a fence and then fleeing. The incident occurred the same year in which Spiezio sought treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. The club became aware of the California incident shortly after it occurred Dec. 30 but did not release Spiezio until Feb. 28, when additional details surfaced within a six-count indictment.

St. Louis, MO DWI Lawyers

David Hasselhof's ex-wife Pamela Bach charged with DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

David Hasselhoff's ex-wife Pamela Bach has been charged with DUI. The 46-year-old actress was charged with one count of DUI and one count of driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, according to TMZ.

Bach was arrested November 28 at 8 p.m. in the west San Fernando Valley. She was booked at the Van Nuys police department and was released early Sunday morning after posting $15,000.

Police said she blew a .14 and .13 in her breathalyzer tests.

Since she already has a prior DUI in March this year, she faces a minimum of five days if convicted.

Bach's arrested came a day after Hasselhoff was taken to the hospitalized after he was found passed out at his home.

She told TMZ at that time that she was going through a difficult time between her ex being in the hospital and dealing with the divorce.

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Stephanie Pratt DUI trial schedule to begin January 12, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:19:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Reality stars may have a penchant for making highly promoted public appearances, but this probably isn't what Stephanie Pratt had in mind.
Regardless, she can rest assured the cameras will be ready and waiting when—or at this point, if—the Hills star's DUI trial kicks off as planned Jan. 21.
As per usual, the 23-year-old didn't appear for a hearing in her case yesterday, but her attorney did, and succeeded in his bid to buy a little more time to gather evidence in advance of launching Pratt's defense.
Which hopefully means he'll come to court with something a little more solid than "the heels made me do it."
"On Jan. 21, three things may happen," attorney Jon Bryant Artz told E! News. "The trial may start as planned, it may continue to another date, or we may reach a settlement."
Artz is apparently hoping for the last of the three options to occur, but not necessarily any time soon.
"What's going to happen is we will show up at court and I will ask the judge for a trial. As we're waiting for a courtroom to become available, the D.A. and I will talk and we may reach a deal."
If not, Pratt will just have to be prepared for cameras to capture some of her genuinely unscripted reality, as Artz confirmed that the reality diva would be present for her next court date.
"When the jurors are there, it's a general rule of thumb to have my clients present," he said.
It's also a general rule of thumb to try not to get busted for misdemeanor driving under the influence, but you know what they say about hindsight. If convicted, she faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Driving While Intoxicates Criminal Defense Lawyers - St. Louis, MO

Nas arrested for DUI: Police video from dashboard camera

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Henry County, GA

Police dash cam footage showing rapper Nas failing several DWI/DUI field sobriety tests back in September. He was cleared of the charges -- but does he look sober to you?

As we first reported, Nas -- aka Nasir Jones -- was pulled over in Georgia back in September after driving erratically. Cops say he was carrying a sack of weed and sporting a green tongue ... unfortunately, you can't see that part in the video.

In the police video, you can see Nas wobble during a balance test and take the wrong number of steps during the "walk the line" test -- yet still, authorities decided it wasn't enough evidence to convict.

Shayne Lamas arrested for DUI: 'I take full responsibility for my lack of judgment'

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:16:00 +0000

Venice, CA

Add Shayne Lamas to the growing list of celebrities who shouldn't be behind the wheel.

The former "Bachelor" winner and current "Leave it to Lamas" star was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI charges this weekend in Venice, Calif., E! News reports.

"Early Saturday morning, after consuming one drink, I willingly drove through a mandatory check point on my way home with complete confidence of passing," Lamas admitted to E!. "However, the breathalyzer indicated that I was over the legal limit of blood alcohol content and was arrested onsite.

The 24-year-old bubbly blond added, "I take full responsibility for my lack of judgment. I have always strived to be a role model for my friends, family and fans and have never nor will ever condone drinking and driving. I apologize for all those I have disappointed, including myself."

Lamas was reportedly released later Saturday morning and is due in court Dec. 9 for the misdemeanor charge.

Mavericks coach Popeye Jones arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI)

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:23:00 +0000

Richardson, TX

It's never been your forte — taking photos — but holy cow, Popeye, that is not a good look, man. Nick Nolte is embarrassed.

Popeye Jones, a veteran of 11 NBA seasons who's now an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, was arrested Sunday in Richardson, TX and accused of drunk driving. According to The Dallas Morning News, the Richardson Police Department received calls from other motorists complaining that someone driving a GMC Yukon was driving erratically.

The cops say Jones declined a breathalyzer test, but it is believed Jones was intoxicated. There was a "minor struggle" when police tried to arrest him and Jones was "taken to the ground," causing "minor" facial cuts.

(Note: I use quotations because, outside of Popeye and the cops on scene, no one actually knows what happened. Did Popeye resist arrest? Or did the police use excessive force to bring the six-foot-eight ex-power forward down? FanHouse reports that the arresting officers had an in-car dashboard camera, so I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.)

In the meantime, Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban declined to comment on the arrest, instead opting to ask the Dallas Morning News via email: "Why do you care? Do you report on every DWI that occurs in Dallas?"

Is that a zing? I think that was a zing.

Missouri DWI Lawyers - Criminal Defense Attorneys

Stephanie Pratt of The Hills arrested for DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

Early Sunday morning, Stephanie Pratt, star of the MTV program The Hills, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, the Los Angeles Police Department says.

Saturday night, Pratt allegedly attended the birthday party of her fellow cast member Holly Montag. At 11 p.m. that evening, Pratt posted in her Twitter account, "It's my sissy @hollymontags [sic] bday party! I just finished dinner and going [sic] to Empire but i'm [sic] pretty tired aka yes I am the party pooper"

According to police records, the 23-year-old reality TV star was arrested at 3:45 a.m. and charged with the drunken driving offense. The Associated Press reports that she was booked at Van Nuys jail and released around 10:30 a.m. on $5,000 bail.

"It was your basic DUI," Sergeant Sal Oraz told People Magazine. "Our traffic officers driving down the street spotted her and pulled her over. She was cooperative and there were no issues with her arrest."

In accordance with California law, Pratt will likely be eligible to have the DUI offense removed from her record if she successfully completes a probation program.

Missouri DWI Defense Attorney

Cedric Griffin of the Minnesota Vikings pleads guilty to DUI

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:23:00 +0000

Eden Prairie, MN

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of 4th-degree DUI.

Griffin was arrested in Eden Prairie, Minnesota on August 30, which was the day before the team traveled to Houston for a preseason game. Court documents show he was charged with misdemeanor DWI.

He'll have to serve two days of community service between now and February.

Griffin had no comment when FOX 9 approached him after practice today.

Back in 2007, he pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct after being arrested outside the spin nightclub in downtown Minneapolis.

DWI Criminal Defense Lawyers

Jacoby Jones pleads guilty to DWI in Houston, gets diversion program

noreply@blogger.com (iLitigate) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:04:00 +0000

Houston, TX

Houston Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated over a 2008 traffic incident.

A judge in Houston on Tuesday ordered Jones to spend one year in a new diversion program for first-time DWI offenders.

Jones must attend alcohol education classes in the yearlong program that includes placing an alcohol detecting device in his vehicle. Completion of the program could lead to dismissal of the case.

Jones was in his car but stopped in a downtown Houston traffic lane when he was arrested on March 16, 2008.

Jones says he made a mistake and learned from it.