Nocioni Arrested for DUI

Celebrities and athletes may get many perks from being famous, but getting away with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not one of them.  The added factor of media attention tends to make DUIincidents for celebrities even more problematic and embarrassing, since their mistakes are talked about on television and read about in newspapers.  Sacramento Kings' basketball star Andres Nocioni is no exception.  Nocioni was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol last week in downtown Sacramento after law enforcement officers at the scene noticed Nocioni's car weaving down a city street around two in the morning.  The officer noticed a smell of alcohol and quickly conducted a field sobriety test before arresting the athlete.  Nocioni was booked into a Sacramento County jail at 3:26 that morning and released later that same day.  No word has yet been given as to whether or not formal charges have been filed or when the star forward might stand trial.

Because driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol can very easily pose a threat to the safety of others, DUI charges are taken very seriously in the state of California.  In Los Angeles, a new pilot program is scheduled to begin in 2010 that would require every first-time  DUIoffender to install an ignition interlock device requiring a breath sample before the vehicle would be able to be driven.  Being convicted of  DUI in Los Angeles could also potentially land you in jail or even state prison.  Driving under the influence offenses can be either misdemeanor or felony criminal offenses, depending on the details of each case.  If serious injuries to another person or extensive damage to another person's property occur as a result of  DUI, the case is almost certain to be filed as a felony.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is important to remember that you do still have options.  An experienced Los AngelesDUI defense attorney knows that little details make a big difference in the outcome of so many  DUI cases.  Field sobriety tests, such as those used in Nocioni's case, are not always accurate in determining whether or not a person is driving under the influence of alcohol.  Commonly used tests such as walking a straight line, standing on one leg or tilting your head back and counting to 30 are subjective at best.  In each case, passing for failing the tests is completely determined by the opinion of the officer administering them.  Certain tests may also be extremely difficult for people who are ill or sleep deprived to complete, and neither condition has anything to do with the consumption of alcohol.  If you or someone you know has been charged with  DUI, call the attorneys at Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP today.  Our attorneys have more than five decades of combined courtroom experience in defending against  DUI charges.  Let us fight for you.