Do celebrities receive the same criminal punishments as others?
Anyone can be stopped and arrested for a DUI, and some celebrities are no strangers to DUIs. When a well-known actor, actress, or sports star is arrested for a DUI, there will typically be much publicity surrounding the criminal case. A DUI conviction for a celebrity can be damaging to their reputation, as well as carry the same potential prison time, fines, and loss of their license that everyone else faces. Our Phoenix, Arizona DUI defense attorneys explore some celebrity DUI arrests and convictions from the past few years.
Justin Bieber
Popstar Justin Bieber made headlines when he was arrested in 2014 for DUI and reckless driving. Bieber demonstrated disrespectful behavior towards police officers, causing many parents to question his status as a role model to young fans. Ultimately, Bieber was ordered to complete 12 hours of anger management, a drunk driving education course, and make a donation to charity. He now says he learned a lot from the experience.
Khloe Kardashian
The Kardashians have been known to have some run ins with the law, and back in 2007, Khloe found herself arrested for a DUI. The celebrity was initially sentenced to complete an alcohol education course and community service, but after missing several sessions, she was remanded to jail. Khloe only stayed in jail for a few hours due to overcrowding and went on to complete her penalties.
Nicole Richie
This Simple Life star was arrested for a DUI in 2006. Officers arrested Richie in California after she was found driving the wrong way on the highway. She was sentenced to jail time, but served just 82 minutes due to overcrowding.
Michael Phelps
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps put his career on the line in 2014 when he was stopped for speeding and crossing a double yellow lane. Officers performed a breathalyzer test and Phelps tested well above the legal limit. Phelps spent 45 days receiving rehabilitation treatment and continues to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
A Good Lawyer Makes the Difference
The famous and non-famous among us all face potentially harsh consequences if arrested for a DUI. A DUI conviction in Arizona could mean jail time, stiff penalties, community service, drunk driving education course, loss of your driver’s license, and a permanent criminal record. Each of these celebrity arrests, which all resulted in fairly minimal sentences, demonstrates the importance of a good DUI defense lawyer. Your attorney often makes the difference between a positive outcome and a negative one. If you are in the Phoenix area, contact our DUI defense lawyers at Arizona Lawyers as soon as possible after your DUI arrest.