Celebrities and DUIs: A Bad Example to Follow

It seems that almost everyday you hear another story about some celebrity caught drinking and driving. From Paris Hilton to Ty Pennington they all seem to be in a rush to see who will be next to get a DUI. However, driving under the influence (DUI) also sometimes called driving while intoxicated (DWI) is no laughing matter. In fact it is very serious and will have a disastrously negative effect on your life.

Now, it may seem as though I am being a little melodramatic. Most celebrities charged with DUIs recently, have had seemingly light sentences. I think that there are several reasons for this that I will outline below.

The most important
factor in the relatively light changes and sentences given to
celebrities' DUI cases is the fact that no one was injured or even
worse killed. This is by far the most important consideration any
police force or judge will look at when charging and sentencing
people for DUI related crimes.

A second important
factor is that celebrities are able to afford high priced
experienced DUI attorneys for their cases. These lawyers will know
exactly how to minimize the charges against their clients. This also
helps result in seemingly light sentences and charges.
Finally, I think that
there is a degree of celebrities getting lesser charges and lighter
sentences from the simple fact that they are celebrities. Famous and
rich people are often able to get there way in life, even if it does
not seem fair. However, I think that this is the least important of
the three factors.

However, if you are not a celebrity or at least rich these last two factors will probably not help you. The most important thing will remain the circumstances surrounding your choice to drink and drive. Be advised though that any DUI charges you may receive will most likely be sever.

At an absolute minimum you will have your drivers license suspended for a period of time and probably have to pay a fine. For more serious offenses and/or repeat offense you can expect jail time. And it won't be a few weeks like Paris Hilton but more likely months or even years. I think that the leniency shown to celebrities in their DUI cases is also having a very negative consequence on the publics attitude towards drinking and driving.

In fact I would go so far as to say that continuing lenient sentences given to celebrities in DUI cases risks undermining the achievement by groups such as MADD (Mothers against Drunk Driving) in reducing the number of DUI related fatalities in North America.

Therefore do yourself a favour don't drink and drive. Even though celebrities get away with a light slap on the wrist, you probably won't. This goes double if you have injured or killed someone. In these cases even a high priced DUI attorney and the star power of Tom Cruise would be enough to get you out of that situation.