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The Disney Channel’s “Jessie” Charged with Felony DUI

The Disney Channel’s “Jessie” Charged with Felony DUI

If you have adolescent kids in your house who watch the Disney Channel, than you have probably caught a glimpse or two of the hit TV shows “Jessie” and “The Sweet Life on Deck.”  Unfortunately, the super starlet of these shows, 22 year-old Debbie Ryan, who plays Jessie on “Jessie” was recently arrested and charged with felony DUI.

According to LA police, Ryan allegedly made a left hand turn and crashed her 2016 Audi into a Mercedes Benz.  When police arrived they suspected Ryan of driving under the influence of alcohol asked her to take the DUI field sobriety tests.  Shortly after, the TV actress was arrested for DUI.  To make matters worse, the driver of the Benz was claiming they were injured during the accident which increased the charge to a felony DUI charge.

In California it is standard procedure for a misdemeanor DUI charge to be increased to a felony DUI charge if an injury is involved.

Here in Washington State, a misdemeanor DUI charge may be charged as a felony vehicular assault charge (RCW 46.61.522) if a person drives a motor vehicle “while under the influence” of alcohol, as defined by RCW 46.61.502, and “causes substantial bodily harm to another.”

Luckily, authorities decided to reduce the felony DUI down to a misdemeanor DUI since the Mercedes driver was not seriously injured and since Ryan’s DUI breath test was fairly low at .11, which is just slightly above California’s legal BAC limit of .08.

Earlier today, Ryan tweeted about the arrest, “Over the last few days I have had the chance to think about my actions, and I wish I had used better judgement. I recognize that I am a role model and have always worked hard to set a good example for my millions of fans. I am so sorry to disappoint everyone.”

Even Disney TV stars can make mistakes!  It sounds like this Disney princess is remorseful and will likely learn her lesson as she and her DUI attorney navigate through her DUI case.

 

DUI Lawyer Says Amanda Bynes Is “Mentally Unfit” To Stand Trial For DUI

DUI Lawyer Says Amanda Bynes Is “Mentally Unfit” To Stand Trial For DUI

27-year-old actress, Amanda Bynes, was charged with a misdemeanor DUI back in April of 2012, when she scraped her black Mercedes along side a California patrol car.  In June of 2012, the “What a Girl Wants” film scarlet hired DUI attorney Rich Hutton and decided to plead not guilty.  Over a year later from the date of the arrest, Amanda’s DUI case was going to trial.  However, defense attorney Hutton showed up to court this past Tuesday, without Bynes by his side, to explain to the judge that Bynes could not undergo trial due to lack of the mental capacity to “understand the nature of the legal proceedings.”

Amanda Bynes has been under long-term care at a psychiatric ward since July of 2013 and is currently under a court ordered conservatorship, meaning she has an assigned guardian to assist and/or manage her daily activities and finances due to her mental limitations.  Allegedly Amanda’s mental diagnosis is complicated and may involve split personalities and/or schizophrenia.

During the DUI trial proceedings, the judge agreed with defense lawyer Hutton and decided to transfer Amanda’s DUI case to a mental health court where the new judge will conduct a hearing to determine Bynes’ mental competence.

 

Written by S.O

Bad Idea to Curse at a Police Officer During A DUI Investigation!

Bad Idea to Curse at a Police Officer During A DUI Investigation!

Female rapper Kat Dahlia is a perfect example of what “not to do” during a police DUI investigation and arrest.  Do not let your emotions flare, do not curse at law enforcement, and do not resist arrest.  All these actions will be noted in the arresting officers police report an will make the DUI charge much tougher for the criminal defense attorney to negotiate and/or defend.

Early Tuesday morning, Kat Dahlia was pulled over by Miami police for speeding.  Allegedly officers could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from her car and asked Kat to step outside her vehicle.  According to police reports, Kat’s emotions got the best of her and she became belligerent.  With heavily slurred speech, Kat began to swear at the officers and refused to take the DUI field sobriety tests (good girl for not taking the DUI field sobriety tests, remember the DUI field sobriety test are voluntary and should be refused).

Police began to arrest the singer for DUI, however, when police tried to cuff Dahlia, she refused to place her hands behind her back.  Allegedly police had to force Kat’s hands together behind her back to properly cuffed her.  Kat Dahlia was hauled into the local police office and charged with misdemeanor DUI and resisting arrest.

The DUI and criminal defense attorneys at David O Defense advise individuals to be respectful to law enforcement during a DUI investigation.  When respectful to officers, individuals will be less likely to accrue additional legal charges such as resisting arrest.  Additionally, when being questioned by police for a possible DUI, David O Defense lawyers recommend not talking to the officers, an individual should ask politely to speak to their criminal defense attorney.  If an individual does not talk during a DUI investigation they will be less likely to say something that would incriminate themselves, such as; “I only had 2 beers.”

Make sure to program the telephone number of David O Defense into your cellphone in case you are being investigated for a DUI, 206-459-6392.

 

Written by S.O