Pop Star Justin Bieber Arrested in Miami on DUI Charges, Resisting Arrest
Early on the morning of Thursday, January 23rd, Justin Bieber was pulled over in Miami after a police officer saw the teen pop star drag racing down the street. Bieber was arrested on charges of DUI, resisting arrest, and driving without a valid license.
“What the f*** did I do? Why did you stop me?” Bieber demanded of the arresting police officer when he was pulled over just after 4 a.m., according to the arrest report.
The 19-year-old pop idol failed a sobriety test and was booked into a Miami jail on DUI charges.
Bieber “made some statements that he had consumed some alcohol, and that he had been smoking marijuana and consumed some prescription medication,” Miami Beach Police Chief Raymond Martinez told reporters Thursday.
According to the arresting officer, he saw Bieber in a yellow Lamborghini racing through a residential area against a red Ferrari. The speed limit in the area is 30 mph, but the two vehicles were drag racing between 55 and 6 mph.
The officer pulled Bieber’s vehicle over, but the singer would not cooperate with the officer.
“At first, he was a little belligerent, using some choice words questioning why he was being stopped and why the officer was even questioning him,” Chief Martinez said.
The officer requested that Bieber keep his hands on the car while the policeman conducted a cursory pat-down, but Bieber reportedly refused to cooperate with the instructions, demanding, “I ain’t got no fing weapons … Why do you have to search me? What the f is this about?”
The officer also described Bieber has having a “flushed face, bloodshot eyes, and the odor of alcohol on his breath” in the arrest report. These are classic signs of DUI. Bieber then failed a field sobriety test and was arrested. Later drug tests showed that the pop star was under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, and anti-depressants.
The driver of the red Ferrari, described simply as an associate of Bieber’s, was also arrested on DUI charges.
This is Bieber’s first arrest.
Consequences of Underage DUI
South Carolina’s strict zero tolerance policy and the future implications of an underage drinking conviction make it critical that you contact a South Carolina underage drinking lawyer to protect your rights.
If you are under 21 and and your blood alcohol (BAC) is at least .02 and less than .08
- License (or permit) suspended or withheld for three months for a first offense; six months for a second offense within five years.
- License suspended for six months if chemical test is refused during a first offense; a one-year suspension if it’s the second offense within five years.
However, it is important for you to know that you are entitled to an Administrative Hearing to seek reinstatement of your driving privileges while your case is pending.
A driver who is over the age of 18 but under 21 charged with DUI may additionally be charged with child endangerment and subject to additional criminal penalties if they are carrying a passenger younger than 16.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Underage DUI Charges
The DUI defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm are based in Columbia, SC and collectively have more than 50 years of complex litigation experience. If you or a loved one are under age and have been charged with a DUI, you will need help defending your rights. Contact the Strom Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800
