The number of celebrities who drive while intoxicated is high – no pun intended. That’s because, as I keep saying, at the end of the day, they’re human, and they drive drunk about as much as the rest of the population. The numbers are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 4 million U.S. adult respondents reported at least one episode of alcohol-impaired driving. And the State Department reports that in 2011, 1.2 million were arrested for driving under the influence or alcohol or narcotics. But, with regard to drunk driving and the justice system that is where the similarities between celebs and mere mortals end. Why is it that famous people seem to have an easier time “beating” these charges? One main reason: money. Celebs have the financial ability to hire really good lawyers. Can I say that any louder? Money=Rock star Representation. The truth is there’s a difference between a really good lawyer and an average one. As Jesse Lorona, a lawyer known for successfully fighting DUI charges says, “Having the benefit of an aggressive DUI lawyer is critical. The state is required to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt … the defendant is not required to prove innocence. Our goal is to make sure that when the state fails, our clients are not wrongly convicted. There are many, many ways to defeat a DUI charge.”
Mr. Lorona is correct and if you have the funds to retain these tough, savvy advocates to fight on your behalf, your odds of getting an acquittal or a sweetheart plea deal definitely go up. And, in most states in order to prevail in a DUI/DWI case, it helps to hire an expert witness—which costs money! Generally, this is a toxicologist who will find holes in the government’s case regarding any alcohol level testing that was done. They’ll analyze the test and delve deep into figuring out if the test was performed properly, how much time passed between when it was performed and when the celeb was actually behind the wheel, and if the results were in fact read and interpreted accurately. If the hired witness can help weaken the government’s case, the easier is to get off or get a better plea deal.
Yep. Stars, they’re just like us. Sorry, at PROOF we tell it the way it is.
NB to all: How ‘bout we all just uber or have our assistants drive us where we need to go. Or better yet, just party at home and stay put.