Below is a list of some high profile people who have received DUI’s in the past.  Keep in mind, that over time, the laws have become harsher.  The recent tried in punishment is less tolerance and stiffer penalties for DUI / OVI offenders.

George W. Bush, September 4, 1976,  who ultimately became President of the United States was arrested by Maine police for driving under the influence of alcohol.  Bush was stopped on Labor Day weekend near his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush plead guilty to the misdemeanor DUI charge, paid a fine of $150, and had his driving privileges suspended in the state of Maine.

Jerry Buss, owner of the L.A. Lakers, pleaded no contest to DUI on September 4, 2007.  Upon conviction, the NBA suspended him for two games and fined him $25,000 for his conviction DUI.  His court sentence is unavailable.

Jerry Buss was arrested a second time in May of 2007 in Carlsbad, CA., and pleaded no contest to his DUI arrest. He was placed on five years’ DUI probation and fined $1,900.00.He was ordered to participate in a DUI first-conviction program and attend a DUI educational program administered by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Dick Cheney, better known as former Vice President of the United States. Cheney’s first DUI conviction came in November 1962 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Cheney was arrested for  “operating motor vehicle while intoxicated.”  Cheney was found guilty of the DUI charge and ordered to pay a $150 fine and  a 30-day suspension of his driver’s license.

Cheney was arrested again in July 1963 in Rock Springs, Wyoming.   He received a $100 fine.

Thus, DUI’s and OVI’s do NOT discriminate.  The best way to avoid a charge is total abstinence.  If you find yourself facing an OVI / DUI charge, make sure you hire an experienced Columbus DUI attorney to best assess the case and to develop a theory of litigation to defend the charges.

The CDC publishes an online FAQ about alcohol on their website.

The following is an excerpt from that page:

What is a standard drink in the United States? A standard drink is equal to 13.7 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol or:

12-ounces of beer.
8-ounces of malt liquor.
5-ounces of wine.
1.5-ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey).

A $14 “Top-shelf Deluxe” style margarita will sometimes have 3 ounces of tequila (80-proof) in a Jumbo frozen martini-type glass. This can also include lime juice and 3 ounces of orange liqueur like Triple Sec (60-proof), Curacao (80-proof), Cointreau (80-proof), or Grand Marnier (80-proof).

That is four standard “drinks.” A 120 pound person consuming four drinks in two hours will have a blood alcohol concentration or BAC right about 0.08, the prohibited concentration of alcohol in Ohio. A 180 pound person consuming one and a half of these deluxe drinks over two hours will have the same result.

Estimating your blood alcohol content is difficult, especially when you are confusing what it means to have one drink. Therefore, the best policy if driving is to refrain from any alcohol consumption.

And remember, if you or a family member has been arrested for DUI in the Columbus Area – give our Columbus DUI lawyers a call at 614-914-4822. We are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Because now is the perfect time to put a team that includes a FORMER POLICE OFFICER and TWO FORMER PROSECUTORS to work….for you!

Columbus, Ohio DUI Attorney Michael Puterbaugh explains how to examine your driving record.

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles or “BMV” makes a wide variety of services available to the public online available anytime.

The BMV’s main website is located at http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/. You can also go the following link to see the list of their online services: http://bmv.ohio.gov/online_services/online_services.htm.

This is the link I find the most helpful for people having problems with their Ohio Driver’s License: https://www.dps.state.oh.us/netsys/netdb/ENGLISH/LKUPX.asp. This will allow you to view your unofficial driving record for the last three years.

This is helpful to determine when the BMV receives notice of your citations, convictions, and suspensions. It will also allow you to calculate current points on your license.

This is also useful to audit your record to determine if you have been a victim of identity theft. You may also check on your reinstatement requirements if you are currently under suspension.

If you or a family member have been arrested for DUI in the Greater Columbus area and need assistance with an upcoming court appearance, give us a call at our 24 Hour Emergency Number at (614) 914-4822 for affordable and professional help. Because now is the perfect time to have a FORMER PROSECUTOR AND A FORMER POLICE working on your defense.

There is media buzz about energy drinks mixed with alcohol lately. However the companies making the drinks defend their products by saying the concept of mixing alcohol and caffeine is not new and the FDA has not banned them.

Rum and coke, irish coffee are only two historical examples of this traditional practice. The concern is that when abused in large quantities the stimulants can cause one to have a false sense of alertness.

Another argument among people against this practice is that the addition of excessive stimulants to alcohol will allow you to continue consuming alcohol long past the bodies natural ability to tell you when you have had enough.

It is dangerous to confuse being awake vs. not being under the influence of alcohol. This can happen when excessive stimulant drinks are mixed with alcohol.

This may lead someone to think that since they feel awake they can drive OK. The problem in Ohio with the OVI law is that even if you drive well you can still be at risk for a DUI conviction when your body contains an illegal amount of alcohol, even if you don’t feel it.

So, if you have been charged with an OVI in Columbus, Ohio – call me, Mark Wieczorek, or one of my associates at 614-827-2000. We are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Because now is the perfect time to put a team that includes a FORMER POLICE OFFICER and a FORMER PROSECUTOR to work….for you!

My name is Mark Wieczorek and I am the managing attorney of Suhre & Associates which limits its practice to OVI defense to Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding counties. This blog is written by me to help potential clients in the Columbus area that have been charged with an OVI.

The holidays are always a time to watch out for drinking too much and driving. You can bet that the police will be extra alert for impaired drivers.

Make sure you protect yourself from being charged with a DUI or OVI over the holidays. Ask a friend to be the designated driver.

The two best ways to avoid a DUI in Columbus OH, is to hire a cab. The other best way is to avoid drinking and driving at all.

Be safe and remember, if you or a family member has been arrested for DUI or OVI in the Columbus Area – call me, Mark Wieczorek, or one of my qualified associates at 614-827-2000. We are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Because now is the perfect time to put a team that includes a FORMER POLICE OFFICER and a FORMER PROSECUTOR to work….for you!