• 04
  • October
    2011

In the vast majority of cases, people who are arrested for DUI first offense don't make any type of headlines due to their lack of a criminal record, and the fact that they simply made a mistake that resulted in no damage or injuries. However, this general pattern often doesn't seem to hold true for celebrities, professional athletes or other public figures.

To illustrate, sports pages around the nation are now reporting on the DUI arrest of NBA player Ben Wallace, a center for the Detroit Pistons and all-around fan-favorite known for his defensive prowess.

According to these reports, Wallace was pulled over by law enforcement officials in Bloomfield Township, Michigan at around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24. Specifically, police officers observed that his 2007 Cadillac Escalade was having a "hard time maintaining its lane of travel and was driving over lane markers."

The officer who pulled Wallace over detected the odor of alcohol and administered field sobriety tests. Wallace later indicated that he had consumed four beers over the course of two hours at a club and was in the process of heading home.

Wallace subsequently failed a preliminary breath test and was taken into custody without incident. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was later measured at the police station to be in excess of Michigan's legal limit of .08.

Unfortunately, the arresting officers also discovered an unloaded handgun and loaded magazine in a backpack inside Wallace's car.

A cooperative Wallace later informed police that the handgun was registered to his wife and that he had placed it in the backpack for protection while driving back to Michigan from Virginia. However, he forgot about it after arriving home.

Wallace is now facing an OVI charge - a misdemeanor punishable by 93-days in jail - and a charge of unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon - a felony punishable by five years in prison.

He was released on a $5,000 bond after his arraignment and is scheduled for a court appearance today.

It is worth noting that the presiding judge randomly assigned to Wallace's case is Judge Kimberly Small of the 48th District Court in Oakland County, Michigan. Known for her no-nonsense attitude toward drunk driving, she recently sent ESPN commentator and former Denver Nugget Jalen Rose to 93 days in jail for a DUI first offense - a sentence viewed as overly harsh by many in the legal community.

Most basketball fans know Ben Wallace, 37, for his four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and his tenacity on the court. He has played for the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic.

Stay tuned for updates on this story from our Denver DUI/DWAI blog ...

Remember, mistakes happen. Whether you have been arrested for DUI first offense or felony DUI, it is extremely important to speak with an experienced Colorado attorney.

This post is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Sources:

The Detroit News, "Police: Wallace 'knew he was in the wrong, and he shouldn't have had gun'" Sept. 29, 2011