Austin DWI Attorney Blog

Eddie Mekka, best known by his character Carmine Ragusa - aka The Big Ragoo - on the television sitcom Laverne & Shirley, was arrested for drunk driving in Las Vegas over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Mekka was reportedly in an auto accident around 12:30 pm last Friday. During their investigation, police administered field sobriety tests and then charged Mekka with driving under the influence in Nevada. Thankfully there were no injuries as a result of the accident.

Considering the recent DUI arrest of Joyce DeWitt form 'Three's Company', there seems to be a trend here of old sitcom stars getting arrested for drunk driving. Even as celebrities, they should get their day in court, and hopefully their drunk driving defense lawyer will help them through the process.

Off duty officer causes scene at restaurant, leading to his arrest over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Police in McAllen, Texas had to arrest a fellow officer Sunday night for drunk driving. Around 10 pm, Alex Alvarez reportedly was intoxicated and bothering female customers at a Chili's Bar & Grill, and the manager of the restaurant attempted to arrange for a taxi ride. Alvarez refused to wait and at one point grabbed the eyeglasses off the manager's face. Security cameras then captured the 14-year veteran with the McAllen Police Department get in his red pick-up truck and attempt to drive off. He forgot, however, to remove the security device locking his steering wheel and he backed into the manager's parked vehicle.

When officers responded to the scene, Alvarez repeatedly asked them to let him drive home. He initially denied having an altercation with the manager until witnesses recounted the events. At that point Alvarez apologized to the officers for having to arrest one of their own. He refused to submit to a breath test at the police station, and was charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Texas. If found guilty of DWI, he could be fined up to $2,000 and sentenced to jail for up to 180 days.

As a DWI Lawyer in Austin, I find however difficult Officer Alvarez's immediate criminal situation is, his long-term concern if convicted of a DWI in Texas will be the probable loss of his police license. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards of Education typically suspends an officer's license for 10 years following a conviction for drunk driving.

Alvarez, 39, was arraigned in McAllen Municipal Court on Monday and released on $5,000 bond. He has been suspended without pay until the criminal charges are resolved.

Three's Company sitcom star, Joyce DeWitt, was arrested for drunk driving in California.

Joyce DeWitt was arrested for drunk driving in California on Saturday, July 4th. The actress, best known for her role as Janet Wood in sitcom series 'Three's Company', was stopped at 4:19 after reportedly driving past a barricade controlling traffic for an annual fireworks show. Witnesses say DeWitt, 60, parked, got out of her black sports car and asked a policeman standing next to his motorcycle for directions.

The El Segundo police officer observed the signs of intoxication and asked DeWitt to perform field sobriety tests. When she failed the tests, she was taken to a local jail and booked for suspicion of driving under the influence. DeWitt posted $5000 bond and was released around 1:20 am Sunday.

This latest celebrity DUI arrest is an example of many of the DWI arrests our firm has handled, where someone has neglected the obvious traffic signs. However, being a DWI attorney in Austin, we have also represented people who were not legally intoxicated who got stopped because they went the wrong way on a one-way street or did not see an obstructed stop sign. Whenever you are arrested for driving while intoxicated you should hire an experienced DWI defense attorney who can get you the best result for your case.

Law enforcement agencies across Texas and the country are gearing up for intensive efforts to combat drunk driving during the Fourth of July holiday. Planned actions include saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints (where legal) and targeted enforcement in areas known to have increased incidents of driving under the influence.

Everyone has a social obligation to know when they are impaired and to take precautions when engaging in alcohol consumption. That said, there has been a shift in law enforcement that suggests even the presence of alcohol is enough to warrant an arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Those with a blood-alcohol content below the legal limit are being charged with serious criminal offenses. It is important to know one's rights and to seek experienced legal representation if stopped for DWI or DUI.

Continue reading "Fourth of July Weekend to Bring Increased DWI/DUI Patrols Nationwide" »