The Celebrity DUI / DWI Roundup is a monthly report that recaps stories of celebrities who have recently appeared in the news after being arrested on DUI-related charges.
However, the point of the DUI / DWI Roundup is not to simply point out the celebrities who were arrested for suspicion of intoxicated driving. Instead, this monthly installment is intended to highlight the legal options available to celebrities (and non-celebs alike) after a DUI arrest.
At Levow DWI Law, P.C., our DUI defense lawyers see way too many individuals give up and “fall on the sword” after a DUI arrest by simply pleading guilty to the charges without considering alternative legal options. We have successfully defended the rights of many celebrities and other drivers arrested on DUI charges over the years in New Jersey and always encourage drivers arrested on suspicion of DUI to consult a DUI defense attorney to learn about all of their legal options!
Celebrity DUI Arrests In September
This edition of the Celebrity DUI / DWI Roundup covers the DUI arrests of Lawrence Taylor (NFL hall-of-famer) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NFL tight end), as well as a major update on former NFL quarterback Troy Smith’s DUI case stemming from his arrest in April.
NFL Hall-of-famer Lawrence Taylor Arrested In Florida
Pro football hall-of-famer Lawrence Taylor was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in early September after being involved in an accident.
According to reports, Taylor was arrested in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on September 2nd after he allegedly crashed into a police car and another vehicle.
Responding officers said that Taylor showed several signs of being intoxicated when they questioned him about the accident. Specifically, the police officers on the scene reported that Taylor had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and appeared to be unsteady on his feet.
After administering multiple field sobriety tests, which Taylor allegedly failed, officers put the former NFL player under arrest for suspicion of DUI.
Lawrence Taylor’s DUI defense attorney appeared in court on Wednesday, September 8th, where he pleaded “not guilty” on Lawrence Taylor’s behalf for one count of DUI.
However, prosecutors turned the tables on Taylor by substituting the original DUI charge with two charges of “DUI causing or contributing to injury to person or property” because the incident involved an accident that allegedly caused property damage to other vehicles. Each of the new charges carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison.
Taylor is due back in court in October to face the elevated charges and proceed with his case.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins Of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Arrested For DUI In Tampa, FL
The former Tampa Bay Bucs’ tight end, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, was recently arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Tampa Bay, FL.
According to reports, Seferian-Jenkins was pulled over by Florida Highway Patrol at approximately 4am on the morning of Friday, September 23rd, after allegedly speeding and weaving through traffic.
The police report states that Seferian-Jenkins smelled of alcohol, had glassy eyes and slurred his speech.
The NFL tight end was ultimately arrested for driving under the influence and was taken to Hillsborough County Jail for where he was booked for DUI, as well as a violation of an ignition interlock device restriction stemming from a DUI conviction in 2013.
Seferian-Jenkins was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the same day that he was arrested for DUI, but he was picked up by the New York Jets just three days later.
Former NFL Quarterback Troy Smith Avoids Jail Time In DUI Case
Former NFL quarterback Troy Smith was able to avoid jail time in his DUI case with the help of an experienced DUI defense lawyer.
Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy at Ohio State, was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) and possession of marijuana on April 3rd, 2016.
According to official court records, Smith plead guilty to willful disregard when he appeared in court. In exchange for this plea prosecutors dropped the original OVI and possession charges.
While he was sentenced to 180 days in jail (with 177 days suspended), Smith is going to complete a three-day driver intervention program instead of going to jail.
This is a great example of how a strategic plea bargain can result in a favorable outcome after a DUI arrest.
