Celebrity DUI Arrests

May 17, 2011

Burbank DUI is Not the Worst Thing That Could Happen to You. You Could be Charlie Sheen…

Obviously, no one wants to get arrested and charged for a crime like driving under the influence in Burbank or elsewhere in the Southland (e.g. DUI in Burbank, DUI in Glendale, DUI in Pasadena, DUI in Los Angeles, et cetera). But it’s helpful to put your problems in perspective.

Consider the plight of the fallen-from-grace TV/Movie actor Charlie Sheen, whose “winning” escapades have been well documented in the celebrity tabloids and gossip blogosphere. Last week, Sheen found out that heartthrob Ashton Kutcher may be taking over his marquis role on the CBS series Two and a Half Men. During Sheen’s public meltdown this past several months, he has made some pretty acerbic comments regarding his past associates and friends. So it was not surprising to those who have followed the Sheen drama to discover that the former Wall-Street star was, shall we say, less than thrilled about the prospect of a Kutcher takeover.

Many commentators, including celebrity addiction specialist Dr. Drew, have hypothesized that the troubled actor’s problems may stem in part from chronic drug and alcohol abuse. It’s very difficult to adduce precisely how pharmacologically active compounds will influence the human brain. Although scientists have conducted some studies to examine how, for instance, marijuana smoking impacts judgment and reaction times; these studies are far from conclusive. This allows wild speculation to flourish not only among the punditocracy but also among addiction experts themselves.

If Charlie Sheen did “X” amount of drugs, what impact might that have on his brain? On his behavior? On the possibility of his getting his Two and a Half Men role back from Kutcher? The answers really are very difficult to say – and not just because Sheen’s public persona has been so tempestuous and difficult to understand. In fact, different drugs – and combinations of drugs – have wildly different effects on different people’s brains at different times.

Thus, if you’ve been pulled over and charged with a drug DUI in Burbank (or elsewhere), one of the first things that you and your Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will likely discuss will be the details of the arrest and what you did/consumed on the day/night of the arrest. Your personal history with drugs and alcohol; how your body and brain typically process these substances; whether you’ve been arrested in the past and for what; and what tests were used by the police can all have an enormous bearing on your potential defense.

Attorney Michael Kraut of Burbank’s Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers (2600 West Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, Burbank, California 91505 Phone: (818) 563-9810) can speak with you about how to develop and follow-up on the most appropriate and efficient defense. Mr. Kraut has a peerless reputation as a Los Angeles DUI expert – he is often called upon by major media to weigh in on breaking LA DUI news, and he served almost 15 years as a prosecutor for the city before choosing to “switch sides” and start representing criminal defendants.

May 16, 2011

Pasadena DUI Sports News: Ravens’ Sergio Kindle Pleads Guilty to DUI Charge, Gets Probation

by Michael Kraut

Driving under the influence in Pasadena with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.17% – more than twice the legal limit – is very likely to get you into trouble.

If you doubt this notion, just talk to Ravens’ rookie linebacker Sergio Kindle. The 23-year pled guilty last Tuesday in a case stemming from a December 2010 arrest. Police pulled Kindle over the day after Christmas on Interstate 95 and later tested him at a county detention center to discover that he had a BAC of a whopping 0.17%. That’s easily enough to constitute DUI in Pasadena, Glendale DUI, Burbank DUI, or Los Angeles DUI.

According to a Washington Post blog report on Kindle’s guilty plea, the linebacker will get two years of unsupervised probation and mandatory treatment and self-help meetings. If he violates the terms of the probation, Kindle could face nearly a full year behind bars. If the judges in Maryland take DUI probation violations as seriously as the judges do here in Los Angeles (ask Lindsay Lohan!), Kindle has plenty of motivation to reel in his behavior. The judge in this case allowed the probation because Kindle demonstrated “positive steps” during his rehabilitation. He spent five days in a facility in Owings Mills to get treatment for alcohol abuse, for instance.

Kindle also issued a statement of contrition during the hearing: “I am very remorseful for my actions. I am held to a higher standard and people look up to me. I see that it’s a problem and I am here to get it treated. I want to continue to address this as long as need be.”

When someone gets pulled over for DUI in Pasadena, the police will often subject them to tests known as Field Sobriety Tests, or FSTs. These involve observations, analyses, and physical and mental challenges to help the officers ascertain whether or not you are under the influence.

One of the first tests is something called a horizontal gaze nystagmus test. A police officer will test the motion of your pupils by flashing a flashlight in your face, for instance. Delayed pupil response may indicate that you are DUI. Other tests could involve balancing on one leg, tilting your head backwards, pacing back and forth across a white line, and even extending your arms in both directions, then closing your eyes and then trying to touch your nose with the tips of your fingers. Police may ask you to recite the alphabet backwards or count backwards. And your results in the tests may be combined with other kinds of assessments – if you are visibly intoxicated, stumbling, uncoordinated, smell like alcohol or admit to having consumed alcohol, the police will be more suspicious that you are actually DUI.

A Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney – such as Michael Kraut of Pasadena’s Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers (790 East Colorado Boulevard, 9th floor, Pasadena, California 91101 Phone: (626) 345-1899) can help you respond in a smart and proactive way to the charges against you to help you save your license, potentially avoid jail time, and regain a modicum of relaxed control of your life.

May 13, 2011

Los Angeles DUI for Rick Springfield: “Jessie’s Girl” Crooner Stopped in Malibu in His Corvette

by Michael Kraut

Last Sunday, while the entire world and possibly part of our space was focused on the breathtaking mission in Pakistan that resulted in the killing of Osama Bin Laden, some critical celebrity Los Angeles DUI news occurred that’s only just beginning to nab the attention of the blogosphere. Rick Springfield, the rock singer best known for his 1980s hit “Jessie’s girl,” was stopped around 8 o’clock in the evening on the PCH in his 1963 Corvette. Per a press release from the LA Sheriff’s Department, Springfield blew a breathalyzer test result of 0.10% BAC – as our readers know, any BAC reading of 0.08% or above can constitute DUI in Los Angeles, Burbank DUI, Glendale DUI, Pasadena DUI, etcetera.

According to a Los Angeles Times article on the story: “Sheriff’s deputies pulled over the soap-actor-turned-crooner in his 1963 Corvette around 8 pm, making the traffic stop near Pacific Coast Highway and Trancas Canyon Road… it was unknown what Springfield did that caught the deputies’ attention.”

After being arrested and brought to the Malibu/Lost Hills police station, the singer paid out a $5000.00 bond and secured release at 2 in the morning. (Incidentally, this was the same police station where Mel Gibson was held after his notorious anti-semitic rant and DUI in Malibu experience five years ago.)

Students of Los Angeles DUI law understand that different California vehicle code sections can apply, depending on the nature and circumstances of your arrest. Typically, traditional misdemeanor DUIs are charged pursuant to California vehicle code sections 23152(a) and 23152(b). But DUIs with injury can be charged according to two similar sounding but ultimately very different sections – 23153(a) and 23153(b). Even though there’s only one number different – a 3 instead of a 2 – do not be fooled! An injury DUI can result in the elevation of a misdemeanor charge to a felony count. Convicted felons can face significantly more jail time and higher penalties – they can also lose the right to franchise (vote) and have a much harder time re-acclimating to normal society after a prison sentence.

You don’t need to do serious bodily injury to another person to get a hit with a 23153(a) or 23153 (b) charge, either. That’s why it is so important – whether you hurt someone or not – to talk to an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney about your strategic possibilities.

The Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers’ Michael Kraut (based in Los Angeles at: 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, California 90028) can provide calibrated, intelligent strategic advice. Mr. Kraut understands prosecutors because he actually was one of them – for 14 plus years. He is a Harvard educated attorney who often appears on the media to discuss Los Angeles DUI matters (e.g. New York Times, Fox News, KTLA, etc). Mr. Kraut can work with you to devise and follow through on an appropriate defense.

May 11, 2011

Burbank DUI Celebrity Drama Unfolds – Desperate Housewives’ Star Whapped with DUI: His Judge Father Apparently is Not Pleased

by Michael Kraut

This past week was very busy in terms of Burbank DUI and Los Angeles DUI celebrity news. An Atlanta Braves’ minor leaguer, Derrick Lowe; Notre Dame’s wide receiver, Michael Floyd; and crooner Rick Springfield all made big splashes. But second to Springfield’s arrest, the biggest Pasadena DUI, Glendale DUI, Los Angeles DUI, or Burbank DUI news had to have been the arrest of Ricardo Chavira, the Desperate Housewives star whose character is married to actress Eva Longoria’s character Gabny on ABC’s hit show.

According to various reports, Chavira was pulled over early morning on May 3rd – around 2:20 AM. Radar Online reported: “Chavira was released from the Van Nuys jail Tuesday morning after posting $25,000.00 bail. He refused to take a blood alcohol test after he was pulled over…” The 39-year old’s wife, Marcea Dietzel, had to make a difficult telephone call to Chavira’s dad, Texas Judge Juan Antonio Chavira, who told Radar online: “I had a got a call from my daughter-in-law to tell me that my son had been arrested for DUI this morning.”

Sounds like someone’s in for a difficult conversation with his dad.

Some motorists who get pulled over under suspension of DUI in Burbank often reject the breathalyzer test. Why? Aren’t breathalyzer tests pretty accurate?

If you listen to common lore, then yes. But if you actually look at the science – the objective analyses of breathalyzers – then that certainty you feel about their efficacy should melt away. Breathalyzers can give accurate BAC readings, but they can also be wildly off. For instance, as this blog has reported, certain conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, can lead to very inaccurate readings. Essentially, chemicals on the breath called ketone bodies can throw off the breath test and lead to false positives. The depth of your exhale into the machine can also have a huge influence on the reading. This is often why police officers will tell you to take a deep breath into the machine instead of a shallow one. Shallower breaths will include less alcohol by volume and thus lead to lower BAC readings.

Officer errors, poor calibration, and differences among devices can also lead to confusion. An experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can effectively challenge breathalyzer test results and leverage other legal resources and tools to help you defend against charges.

Attorney Michael Kraut (2600 West Olive Avenue, 5th Floor, Burbank, California 91505 Phone: (818) 563-9810) has won plaudits not only from clients, but also from professionals like prosecutors and judges, for his keen judgment, superior record at jury trials, and compassionate and sensitive handling of cases.

May 6, 2011

Glendale DUI Sports News – Coach Dikta’s Son Stopped for DUI in Deerfield Illinois

by Michael Kraut

Most incidences of driving of under the influence in Glendale have nothing to do with the game of football. Perhaps it’s because Los Angeles simply doesn’t have a professional NFL team. (The Chargers don’t count, folks.)

But more than any story about Los Angeles DUI, Burbank DUI, DUI in Glendale, or DUI in Pasadena last week, one sports-related DUI incident has caught the attention of fans throughout the Southland – Michael P. Ditka, the son of the famous Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, got stopped on April 20th for driving under the influence.

The Deerfield police report claims that Ditka’s black Hummer had been running in a parking lot with its headlights on. Ditka later protested: “I was not driving the car… I was parked. The keys weren’t even in the ignition. I plan on pleading not guilty.”

May 2, 2011

Beverly Hills DUI Drama No More (At Least for Christina Aguilera’s BF – Not So Much for Lindsay Lohan)

by Michael Kraut

Last week’s news about driving under the influence in Beverly Hills was not all about Lindsay Lohan – although the blogosphere did once again erupt in an avalanche of comments after Lohan got sentenced to serve her community service as a janitor at a morgue.

If you’re like most people, you’re probably sick and tired of hearing “Lohan, Lohan, Lohan” all the time – and you would like some more diverse stories about things like Glendale DUI, driving under the influence in Pasadena, Los Angeles DUI, and DUI in Burbank.

Some good news on the DUI front – at least for pop star Christina Aguilera, whose boyfriend, Matthew Ruthler, will not be charged with the crime of DUI. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office rejected the prosecution’s case against Ruthler, citing insufficient evidence. To recap: on March 1, police pulled Ruthler over on suspicion of DUI. He blew a breathalyzer reading of 0.06% – 0.02% under the Beverly Hills DUI limit of 0.08%, as quantified by California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (b).

April 27, 2011

Beverly Hills DUI Lessons – Tampa Bay Buc Exec’s DUI May Hold Lessons for How to Contain the Problem

by Michael Kraut

Analysts and policy experts who look at the problem of driving under the influence in Beverly Hills (and elsewhere in the Southland) often examine data on a surprisingly superficial level.

In other words, it’s often a “quick fix” game – blame the driver, and get on with it. But a breaking story out of Tampa Bay suggests that, whether you’ve been arrested for DUI in Pasadena, Glendale DUI, Los Angeles DUI, DUI in Burbank, or DUI wherever else, you may have more than yourself to blame.

Not convinced? Read on…
37-year old Jayson Kaiser, an Assistant to the Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, got pulled over for DUI last Wednesday. There was nothing particularly newsworthy about the arrest, other than the fact that Kaiser works for the Bucs. News reports say that Kaiser had been driving a 2006 Hyundai when officers stopped him on West Osborne Ave. Kaiser exhibited a lot of signs that are typically associated with Beverly Hills DUI – such as slurred speech, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and odor of alcohol on his person. He said he hadn’t been drinking, and he refused both field sobriety and breathalyzer tests.

Kaiser’s car was impounded, and he was held on a bail of $500. A spokesman for the Bucs, Jonathan Grella, told reporters “we aware of matter and are in the process of reviewing it internally.”

So, Kaiser’s arrest is pretty standard stuff – nothing that regular readers of this blog haven’t read about a million times. But what’s interesting here is that, according to reports, Kaiser is actually the THIRD member of the front office/coaching staff of the Bucs to be arrested in one calendar year. In March, Shelton Quarles, a pro scouting coordinator got tagged with DUI. Last September, an Assistant Offensive Line Coach, Chris Mosley, got tagged for DUI. So, 3 DUIs on the staff within one calendar year! Is that a coincidence? Statistically, it certainly could be.

But it also suggests that potentially something culturally is going on here. Maybe the Bucs’ front office culture is “giving the green light” to driving under the influence somehow. This doesn’t mean that the men who got arrested shouldn’t have been more careful — or should somehow be exonerated because of the social influence factor.

But it does suggest that, if we really want to get to the heart of what causes motorists to drive DUI, we need to look beyond “blaming the individual” and examine the cultural influences that may be the root causes. The thinking is: if we can change what’s going on culturally, we may be able to tamp down on the number of arrests – and make our roads safer.

If you or someone you care about has been recently charged with the crime of driving under influence in Beverly Hills, a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can be a crucial guide. Connect with the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers in Beverly Hills at  9107 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450, Beverly Hills, California 90210 Phone: (310) 550-6935. As a former prosecutor, Mr. Kraut has many connections and an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Los Angeles prosecutors who will be working your case. Mr. Kraut is a Harvard Law School educated lawyer who is often called upon by media organizations like The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, KTLA, and Fox News to provide his insights into breaking news in the Los Angeles DUI arena.

April 26, 2011

Los Angeles DUI Tragedy That is Lindsay Lohan… and What We Can All Learn from Her

by Michael Kraut

Last Friday, a judge made the call to sentence starlet Lindsay Lohan to 120 days behind bars for violating probation connected with her 2007 Los Angeles DUI bust. As one might predict, news outlets across the nation lit up with provocative (and at times unseemly) discussions about the “Freaky Friday” star’s punishments, which also include 480 hours of mandatory community service.

Perhaps no other story about Pasadena DUI, Glendale DUI, Burbank DUI, or Los Angeles DUI has come close to generating this many headlines – even Mel Gibson’s famous anti-Semitic tirade (connected with his 2006 arrest for DUI on the PCH) doesn’t compare. Why are people so fascinated by the starlet’s continued legal troubles? And what does her punishment for probation violation tell us about how DUI law?

Before we get into these thorny questions, we should mention that Lohan might even suffer more. In June, she’ll go to trial pursuant to charges that she stole a $2,500 necklace from an L.A. jewelry shop. Video of Lohan trying on the necklace has gone viral; and the jewelry store owner herself has received brutal press from fans of Lohan, who allege the owner is simply pressing her grand theft charges to drum up business and notoriety.

Nathan Folks, a producer friend of Lohan, expressed his dismay over the sentence: “(Lohan) wants to go to AA and NA and serve 400 hours…she has already been doing lots of charity work.”

Some bloggers have suggested that Lohan’s “Riches to Rags” tale attracts us because of its archetypal nature. In other words, it resonates with a kind of story that we are all used to – that of someone obtaining money/fame/fortune, then losing it due to some bugbear or fatal flaw. Often, there is redemption angle at the end of the story, where the hero (or in this case heroine) rises from the ashes of turmoil and flourishes again. Hopefully, Lohan will indeed get that “happy ending” and regain her stamina, stability, and positivity.

As for the legal implications – the case probably best illustrates that no one is above the law. Your Los Angeles DUI penalties will go up if you violate your probation, hurt someone while driving DUI, or commit multiple offenses (i.e. become a recidivist). Although a reputable and smart Los Angeles criminal defense attorney can help you escape some of the worst penalties and develop a plan to rehabilitate yourself – no attorney is a miracle worker. If, like Lohan allegedly has, you continue to flout the terms of your release/probation, the law eventually will catch up to you, and you will pay costs.

Fortunately, there are amazing resources out there that can help you. The Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers (offices in LA at: 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, California 90028) can provide a free and totally confidential consultation today. Michael Kraut is a former L.A. city prosecutor (senior deputy D.A.) – he uses his knowledge of prosecutorial tactics and his deep relationships to generate effective defense strategies for his clients.

April 22, 2011

Glendale DUI Penalty Shot – Florida Basketball Superstar Slapped with DUI in Gainesville

by Michael Kraut

Dan Werner, a former basketball player for Florida, got knocked with a DUI in Gainesville last week, and the arrest has echoed across the country – even Glendale DUI bloggers are talking about it. The 23-year-old Werner was pulled over because police noticed that one of his taillights had gone out and he had his high beams on. If you’ve been stopped for Glendale DUI, Burbank DUI, Pasadena DUI, or Los Angeles DUI, perhaps the police first noticed your vehicle because of something minor, like a taillight malfunction.

In any event, Werner argued that “his girlfriend was intoxicated” so he was driving her home. But authorities on the scene noticed that the former B-baller had “watery bloodshot eyes” and had also “consumed two alcoholic beverages” (quotes courtesy of the AP). Police officers also argued that Werner did not perform with grace on field sobriety tests.

But here’s where it gets interesting! (At least for analytical purposes.) The AP report on the arrests notes that Werner’s breathalyzer results were just 0.65% and 0.7%, respectively. Thus, his tests were under the Glendale DUI and Florida limit of 0.08%. Despite the fact that his BAC readings came in under the line, police arrested Werner and then released him last Tuesday on his own recognizance.

You might be surprised to learn that, even if you blow a negative on a Glendale DUI breathalyzer test, you can still be arrested and charged with a crime. The California vehicle code has two basic laws regarding DUI. Section 23152(b) defines DUI as driving with a BAC of 0.08% or greater. But 21352(a) defines the crime slightly differently – if you are under the influence of alcohol, even if you’re not above the limits stipulated in Section (b), you can still be hit with a crime. It’s an unfortunate reality, but it is the reality.

The big question facing people charged with Glendale DUI is: what do you do next?

Although the law provides you with ample opportunity to defend yourself – you can also work with a public defender – experts suggest that you’d be better off retaining an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.

The stakes for DUI defendants are high. If you put up an inadequate or underadequate defense, you could face jail time, fines, fess, driving restrictions, mandatory education classes, and a host of other penalties. Michael Kraut of Los Angeles’ Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers (Offices in Glendale at 121 W Lexington Dr, Glendale, CA 91203 Phone: (818) 507-9123) can provide excellent strategic guidance. Mr. Kraut is not only Harvard Law School educated former prosecutor but also a master of jury trials – he has a fantastic success rate, and he is ready to go to trial to defend your interests, if need be.

April 18, 2011

Los Angeles DUI Blog Discusses the Upcoming Royal Wedding

by Michael Kraut

The last place you think you’d look for an analysis of the upcoming royal wedding between Prince William and his betrothed, Kate Middleton, is a blog devoted mainly to conversations about driving under the influence in Los Angeles. But with literally every single news organization – from the largest papers in Britain and the U.S. to the smallest “two bit” blogs here and abroad — focused on the upcoming nupitals on April 29th, we thought it would be an interesting departure from standard news about Glendale DUI, Pasadena DUI, Burbank DUI and Los Angeles DUI, to review some highlights from what promises to be one of the most gala celebrations of 2011.

One article last week in the U.K. Paper Metro, noted that the street party after the royal wedding will need to be insured for a whopping 5 million pounds. According to Metro, seven different street parties have been approved following the ceremony… and David Cameron himself got into a minor battle with local authorities about whether or not street parties should proceed.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reported about royal wedding etiquette and dress. Here are some interesting details from that article:

• “There’s a 22 page royal etiquette book explaining some key do’s and don’ts for the big day”
• “If you intend to wear a top hat, make sure to take it off inside the church”
• Simon Cowell (of American Idol fame) is not invited

Lastly, the BBC reports that half a million people will be journeying to London to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot. The BBC reports that, back in 1981, the Prime Minister himself slept outside Buckingham Palace the night before the royal wedding just to get a peak. London will no doubt have a lot of logistical preparations to handle this enormous crush of people.

For those of you who lack any connection with the outside world, the wedding will take place on Friday the 29th at 11 AM in Westminster Abby.

Frivolous details about the royal wedding aside, however, let’s quickly review some crucial information about Los Angeles DUI penalties. Not to put a damper on the celebratory mood, but if you do get arrested and convicted of Los Angeles DUI, the court can impose an incredibly diverse array of punishments. Here are just a few:

• Significant jail time
• Fees, fines, and other costs
• Force you to install an interlock ignition device in your car
• Mandatory alcohol school
• Community service
• Difficult probation terms
• License suspension
• Many more penalties

To construct an appropriate defense – whether you stand accused of a complicated injury DUI charge or a simple misdemeanor DUI — Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut can help you simplify your defense strategy. As a former prosecutor (Senior Deputy District DA for LA, to be more specific) and Harvard Law School educated attorney, Mr. Kraut has both the experience and the knowhow to deliver exceptional service. The Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers is located at  6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, California 90028.