Miss USA Arrested for Drunk Driving

As reported in the January 19, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, a former Miss USA has been arrested and charged with drunk driving in Michigan. The woman was allegedly speeding and weaving in traffic when she was pulled over by police. She submitted to a chemical test and had BAC readings over twice the legal limit. An bottle of champagne was found in her motor vehicle and she is also charged with having an open container in her vehicle. A trial date has been set.

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 31-27-2, drunk driving is defined as, whoever drives or otherwise operates any vehicle in the state while under the influence of any intoxicating liquor, drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor except as provided in subdivision (d)(3) and shall be punished as provided in subsection (d) of this section.

The penalties if convicted of drunk driving with readings over. 15 include:

Every person convicted of a first offense whose blood alcohol concentration is fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%) or above, or who is under the influence of a drug, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in subdivision (b)(1) shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) and shall be required to perform twenty (20) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution and/or shall be imprisoned for up to one year. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge. The person's driving license shall be suspended for a period of three (3) months to eighteen (18) months. The sentencing judge shall require attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans' Administration.

If you or a family member has been charged with refusal to submit to a chemical test, drunk driving (DUI), or other alcohol offenses, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.