WWE westling star Jack Swagger was arrested for DUI and drug possession on February 19, 2013 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Swagger, whose real name is Donald Jacob “Jake” Hager Jr., was pulled over just around midnight in Gulfport for speeding when the officer found a small amount of marijuana in his possession. While questioning Swagger, the officer suspected that the wrestler might be under the influence of alcohol, although, it is still unclear what Swagger’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level was. According to Lt. Craig Peterson, Swagger was stopped on the northbound side of Lorraine Rd six miles south of I-10. Jack Swagger had apparently just finished taping an episode of WWE Smackdown in Biloxi at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Lt. Peterson also said that Swagger’s vehicle was towed and that the WWE star was released to a friend after being released at the police station.

Swagger is set to appear in court on March 12 for misdemeanor charges. Even though the charges are misdemeanors, city prosecutor Kirk Clark says, “We have never recommended mere fines and fees only on a DUI. We always recommend the maximum sentence of two days in jail for first offenders. That time can be suspended but only on completion of certain court-ordered conditions like probation, classes, AA meetings, etc.“. If convicted, Swagger could have to pay $188 for driving 10 mph over the speed limit, $1,300 for a first time DUI and $437 for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Swagger could also have to complete a Victim Impact Panel should he be convicted. An official spokesman for the WWE said that “Mr. Swagger is responsible for his own personal actions“. Before becoming a professional wrestler, 260 pound, 6 foot 7 Jack Swagger played football and wrestled for the University of Oklahoma.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Mississippi DUI attorney for legal assistance.

Melrose Place actress Amy Bovenizer was sentenced to 3 years in prison on February 14, 2013 after being found guilty of vehicular manslaughter and assault by auto. In June of 2010, Bovenizer was involved in a fatal DUI accident that killed Helene Seemen and critically injured her husband Fred. The sentence was considered a lighter sentence given the fact that Bovenizer could have served 5-10 years in prison had she been convicted of vehicular homicide, not manslaughter. Superior Court Judge Robert Reed noted in his decision that he didn’t feel sympothy for Bovenizer, although, he decided on the 3 year sentence due to the fact that the Melrose Place actress has a young daughter that’s fighting Crohn’s disease.

Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano will be appealing the decision and said “It is the position of this office that the judge mistakenly applied the law in sentencing this defendant. The filing of this appeal is the very least, we believe, to which the victim’s family is now entitled“. Both Ford Seemen and his son, Ford, shouted at Judge Reed for what they believed to be an unjust sentence. Fred Seemen, who could hardly control his outrage, shouted “Having a sick child doesn’t give you a pass to kill my wife!“. Before the sentencing, Amy Bovenizer said that she would spend the rest of her life making sure people understand the consequences of drinking and driving. In an apologetic statement, the actress said “I hope you believe that I never intentionally set out to put anyone at risk that night. Please know that the reality that I did cause you such loss haunts me every day and it will continue to for the rest of my life”.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Massachusetts DUI attorney for legal assistance.

Huffington Post reported that Todd Helton, MLB Colorado Rockies player, fought tears as he apologized Sunday and asked for forgiveness at the start of spring training for his recent DUI charge and arrest. He sincerely apologized to his community, family, and team. Helton said, “Last week I got behind the wheel of my truck after I had drank. All I can do now is apologize and ask for forgiveness. I spoke to my teammates today and they were very supportive.” In addition, he also expressed gratitude to his family, wife, and teammates for their support. Helton did not make any comments on the type of treatment that he will be receiving.

Helton’s manager, Walt Weiss, stated his support for Helton and commented, “…Todd’s built up a lot of goodwill and respect with this club and in the community.” Towards the end of a practice, Helton signed autographs from fans and claimed that he understands its going to take work to repair his image with his fans. Helton has been a reputable baseball player with a record of being a five-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and the franchise leader in almost every major offensive category who won the 2000 NL batting title. He is anxious and ready to come back and play.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Colorado DUI attorney for legal assistance.

The Durham Herald Sun reported that Brian Edward Kiley, a Tennessee stand-up comedian, was killed in a DWI car crash on Sunday. It was stated that Kiley, 38 years old, was driving east on I-40 about 3:40 a.m. and was just past the N.C. 54 interchange when Raul Herrera, who also was driving east, swerved and hit Kiley’s Nissan Maxima. The impact caused both vehicles to go off the road and overturn.

Durham police officials stated that Herrera, 31 years old, received a couple of minor injuries and was sent to the hospital. He was charged with a DWI. Kiley was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Durham police department closed the accident section and detoured traffic in order to finish investigation procedures. A tow truck was called to remove Kiley’s heavily damaged black four-door car from the interstate. Police reported that both vehicles were total losses.

Kiley had just finished performing at the Newton-Conover Auditorium with Jon Reep, who is a comedian best known for his role in the Dodge commercial asking  “That thing got a hemi?” J.J. Brent, a close friend of Kiley, told sources that Kiley had  just married the love of his life a few short months ago and that he took parenting with great love in his heart. In addition, Brent mentioned that Kiley was a very spiritual individual, always involved with his church, and with high values. His familiy is deeply grieving his death.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Tennessee DWI attorney for legal assistance.

WABC news reported that David Diehl, the Giants lineman, pleaded guilty this morning to aggravated DWI and impaired driving charges. It was reported that Diehl admitted to a Queens judge that he drove a black BMW into two parked cars on 31st Street in Astoria on June 10. Diehl’s DWI charges have the possibility of getting dismissed if he complies with the penalties of completing two drunk driving programs, paying a fee of $1,200 to the owners of the car he hit, doesn’t break the law, and wears a SCRAM bracelet during the following 90 days. It was noted that Diehl could have faced up to a year in jail for his crimes.

Diehl’s attorney, Gary Certain, reported that Diehl is currently receiving treatment from the NFL’s DWI treatment program, and that he is not allowed to drive or apply for a driver’s license for the next six months. The New York Post stated that before Diehl was released from the court hearing, the judge scolded him by saying, “Sir, please don’t drink and drive. Look what happened here, you could have been seriously hurt.” 

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled New York DWI attorney for legal assistance.

Todd Helton, an MLB player with the Colorado Rockies was arrested for DUI on February 6, 2013 in Thornton Colorado. According to police, Helton was seen driving erratically in his Ford pickup truck and pulled over. It’s still unclear what Helton’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level was at the time of his arrest or if he failed any field sobriety tests. After being pulled over, Helton was charged with careless driving and booked at a local jail in Thornton before being released shortly after to a friend. The Rockies have made an official statement regarding Todd Helton’s arrest, saying, “We were extremely disappointed to learn that Todd was arrested this morning. This type of behavior is taken very seriously by our organization. We know that he clearly understands the seriousness of his poor decision, the harm that could have been inflicted on others and the embarrassment his mistake has caused to himself, his family, the Colorado Rockies organization and to Major League Baseball.“.

It has been rumored that Helton wears the number 17 as a tribute to close friend and former baseball player Mark Grace, who has been arrested for DUI twice. Todd Helton also issued an apologetic statement after his arrest, saying, “Last evening I exercised poor judgment and was charged with drinking and driving after driving to a gas station near my house. I am very sorry and embarrassed by my actions. I hold myself to a high standard and take my responsibility as a public figure very seriously. I sincerely ask my family, the Colorado Rockies Organization, Major League Baseball and the community to accept my apology“. Todd Helton is a career .320 hitter as well as a five-time all star and will be playing in the 2013 season after his 2012 season ended prematurely with a hip injury.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Colorado DUI attorney for legal assistance.

Actor Carmine Giovinazzo, known for his role on the TV show CSI: New York, was arrested for DUI on January 21, 2013 in Scottsdale, Arizona. According to police, Giovinazzo was seen swerving in and out of lanes around 2:40 a.m. when he was pulled over. When police began to question Giovinazzo, he was immediately apologetic and said his erratic driving was a result of using a gps device because he was lost. Giovinazzo, who had 2 other passengers with him in his Jeep Wrangler said that he was not from Arizona. As police continued to question the actor, they notice several symptoms of alcohol intoxication such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and an odor of alcohol.

When police asked if he had been drinking, Giovinazzo admitted to having some scotch at the W Hotel before driving that night. Giovinazzo was then placed under arrest for DUI, although, police have said that he was extremely nice and cooperative throughout the ordeal. The arresting officer commented on the incident, saying Giovinazzo had “repeatedly apologized to me and told me he didn’t want to be an ‘a**hole“. Police say that the actor’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level was .149%, almost double the legal limit. The officer did say that Carmine Giovinazzo was very nice and “thanked me many times for not treating him like a criminal and showing him respect“.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Arizona DUI attorney for legal assistance.

Actor Thomas Gibson, known for his role on the hit TV show “Criminal Minds”, plead “no contest” to an alcohol related reckless driving charge on January 29, 2013. Gibson was arrested for DUI earlier this month on January 6 after driving his car into a barricade in downtown Los Angeles. After pleading “no contest”, prosecutors dropped the DUI charges, which is not surprising considering the fact that the actor does not have a history of DUI arrests. Now, under the terms of the plea deal, Gibson will have to pay $300 in court costs, attend alcohol education classes for one year, and complete 36 months of probation.

On the night of the arrest, Thomas Gibson drove his Audi SUV into a barricade meant to block traffic in downtown Los Angeles during a nighttime half marathon. When police arrived and began to question Gibson, they detected an odor of alcohol coming from the actor and requested he take a breathalyzer test. Gibson refused to submit a breathalyzer test; he was eventually brought down to the ground by five police officers while he shouted, “I am not resisting. I am not resisting“. Thomas Gibson was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and released the next day on $15,000 bail.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled California DUI attorney for legal assistance.

ESPN Dallas reported that “Dallas Cowboys starting nose tackle Jay Ratliff was arrested and charged with DWI in the early morning hours Tuesday after he crashed his 2011 Ford pickup truck into an 18-wheeler.” Police officials from Grapevine, Texas responded quickly and fled to the location of the accident, 2800 block of East State Highway 114, to conduct an investigation.

During the investigation procedure, Ratliff was apprehended for suspicion of DWI. However, he was let out on Tuesday morning. It was determined that nobody received any injuries. The police investigation report stated that “Ratliff was traveling in the middle lane, slightly ahead of of the semi, before turning into the 18-wheeler’s lane…his truck was then “turned sideways and struck a median protector…and came to a stop.”

Dallas Cowboys officials and Mark Slough, who represents Ratliff, refused to make any comments on Ratliff’s case. However, it was commented that “Ratliff is considered one of the more passionate players on the team.” Although Ratliff underwent a sports hernia surgery during December, he was still kept on the active roster in hopes that he would play in the playoffs. Unfortunately, “any NFL player that is arrested is subject to the NFL conduct policy which could result in a fine or suspension.”

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Texas DWI attorney for legal assistance.