Being arrested and charged with one or more crimes can be a difficult experience for anyone. With the coverage following the arrest of a celebrity, the account of an event can often be exaggerated by the media in order to sell the story. Recently, the news reported that a professional basketball player was arrested for drunk driving on a Georgia highway while driving to pick his father up from the airport.
The incident occurred when a police vehicle began to follow Iman Shumpert’s car at around 11:37 p.m. on August 10. The officer reported that Shumpert’s vehicle did not have working taillights, swerved between lanes and failed to maintain a lane after a turn. Shumpert pulled over when the police indicated that he should stop.
The officer alleges that he detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and reported that Shumpert exhibited red eyes. Shumpert indicated that the car he was driving was a rental vehicle, and he was unaware that the taillights were not working. After submitting to field sobriety tests, Shumpert refused further blood tests, per his rights. An official at the scene conducted a search of the vehicle and allegedly discovered material consistent with marijuana in a backpack in the trunk of the car.
Those accused of crimes want to ensure that their rights are protected and that they are treated fairly by authorities and legal system throughout the judicial process. This becomes especially true with unlawful searches and seizures of vehicles or homes. Those accused of drunk driving or other crimes may want to seek legal representation from an attorney who has experience in criminal law. A Georgia attorney will be able to discuss the best options available considering the state and federal laws that may affect the outcome of a trial.
Source: newsnet5.com, “Cavs guard Iman Shumpert charged with DUI, drug possession following Georgia traffic stop“, Justin Madden and Courtney Danser, Sept. 9, 2016