63 year old David Cassidy was arrested on Friday night. According to California State Patrol, Cassidy was stopped near the Los Angeles International Airport when he made an illegal right turn against a red light. The officer conducted a DUI investigation after detecting the odor of alcohol coming from Cassidy’s rental car. Cassidy was arrested and booked for suspicion of DUI and was released on a $15,000 bond on Saturday. Cassidy is scheduled to appear in court on February 5.
This is the 3rd time Cassidy has been arrested for a DUI. Cassidy was previously arrested in 2010 and 2013. There is, however, an important distinction between being arrested for a DUI and being convicted of a DUI. In Colorado, if a person has 2 prior alcohol or drug related driving convictions and is subsequently convicted of a third, there is a mandatory minimum 60 days of jail that must be imposed. By law, a judge may sentemce a person to up to a year of jail. Simply being arrested and charged with an alcohol or drug related driving offense, whether the charge is a DUI or a DWAI, does not count as a prior for purposes of sentencing. Because a simple arrest is not considered a prior, it is important to consult with a DUI defense attorney. The best DUI defense attorneys will analyze your case to find any issues that may make it difficult for the prosecution to convict you of a DUI.
DUI law is an ever changing, complex area of the law. DUI charges and convictions present serious consequences, whether it is the first time you have been charged or the third. Please contact us today for a consultation to discuss your case.
Source: USA Today