Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On Friday June 12, actor John Stamos was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after the 51-year-old actor was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to recent news reports at Fox News and CNN.
Stamos was driving in Beverly Hills Friday evening when police say they received calls just before 8 p.m. reporting a possible drunken driver. When police arrived in the area, Stamos was pulled over and verbally identified himself, while giving officers his driver’s license. He was the only person in his vehicle, and was transported to Cedars-Sinai by paramedics for a possible medical condition, according to Beverly Hills police Sgt. David Armour.
Once at the hospital, police determined that Stamos had been driving while under the influence; they arrested him and cited Stamos for DUI before releasing him to the care of hospital staff. He was released on Saturday morning and returned home. That same morning, Stamos tweeted that he was home and well, and thanked everyone for their love and support. He also expressed his appreciation to Cedars-Sinai and the Beverly Hills Police Dept. for their care.
Stamos is scheduled to appear in court on the charges on September 11.
A first DUI offense in California is a misdemeanor resulting in penalties that may include up to $1,000 in fines, maximum of six months in jail, driver’s license suspension, summary (informal) probation for up to five years, and more for those convicted. Driving under the influence is a criminal offense, and punished harshly in most states today.
In the state of Michigan, a first DUI conviction will result in penalties including fines of up to $500 along with court costs, a maximum of 93 days in jail, 360 hours of community service, driver’s license suspension, probation, and more. Those found guilty will also have a criminal record, which can impact employment and other aspects of an individual’s life.
Many people who are arrested for driving under the influence believe it’s simply best to pay the fine, plead guilty, and go about life. The fact is, fighting the charges is best if you want to protect your freedom, reputation, and even your career. Whether you have been charged with driving under the influence previously or it is your first offense, consult with an experienced and aggressive DUI attorney.