Teen singing idols, professional athletes, handsome leading men, famous comedians…these are not categories on a game show. These are examples of celebrities – no names, please – who have recently been arrested for DUI, here in the U.S. and elsewhere. Am I mentioning this for the sake of shock value or gossip? Not at all. My point here is that anyone, even celebrities we idolize, can be stopped, charged, and convicted of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
I could quote a lot of clichés, such as “we’re only human,” or “check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Or, I could encourage my readers that are parents to use these celebrity cases as teachable moments for your children. The fact is, these stories are teachable moments for anyone who drives, and anyone who has ever even considered driving while impaired.
Cynical people may remark here that “the laws don’t apply to everybody.” Speaking as a seasoned DUI attorney, my response would be, do you want to test that statement yourself? Whether they happen to be famous or not, the law does not look kindly on people convicted of DUI. Neither does the news media.
It’s also true that DUI laws differ from state to state and country to country, as do penalties. So again, and just for the purposes of discussion (not as legal advice), do you really want to put these laws to the test?
When it comes to DUI, learning from other people’s mistakes is far safer and less traumatic than learning by experience. That being said, let me share another suggestion. If you, or someone you know may be facing a DUI-related situation, don’t wait for the news to break, or trend. Call an experienced attorney at Zachary Law Group. We’re here to help, and we offer a FREE 30-minute case evaluation to address your questions and concerns. Whatever your legal situation, we can assert your rights, identify the best possible solution and “Zach-It”! Give us a call soon, at 1-855-Zach-law.
