Plea Deal Awarded To Justin Bieber for DUI Charges in Florida
Teen pop idol Justin Bieber has reportedly taken a plea deal in his Miami DUI case.
Bieber was formally charged with driving under the influence of drugs, resisting arrest, and possessing an invalid driver’s license in January when a Miami police officer pulled the pop superstar over. Although Bieber had not been drinking and driving, the singer tested positive for marijuana, and was drag racing without a driver’s license.
Police reports also state that the pop singer had trouble with the Breathalyzer test at the police station. He “continuously attempted to grab” the Breathalyzer hose despite being told not to, and “became agitated” when asked to take the test correctly.
However, his blood alcohol readings as registered by the Breathalyzer were 0.014 and 0.011, taken three minutes apart, which is under the legal limit for underage drivers.
The DUI trial was set to begin in May, but after some delays Bieber’s representatives announced that he has taken a plea deal – Bieber will plead guilty to reckless driving. The other charges, including the DUI for marijuana, will be dropped.
Reportedly, the DUI plea deal took months longer than expected because the judge overseeing the case made two stipulations: first, Bieber must produce, star in, and pay for an anti-drug PSA, and second, he must attend a drug and alcohol education course.
Bieber’s attorneys believed that the judge’s demands were inappropriate, that their client did not have a drug or alcohol problem and creating the PSA and attending the education classes would be an admission of guilt. Prosecutors settled for an anger management class in the end.
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 you face the following:
- Your license (or permit) will be suspended or withheld for three months for a first offense; six months for a second offense within five years.
- Your license will be suspended for six months if a chemical test is refused during a first offense; a one-year suspension if it’s the second offense within five years.
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
