Celebrity DUI & DWI charges: Evening out the playing field

From Mel Gibson to Lindsay Lohan, celebrity DUI and DWI arrests continue to pop up in the news, ex-WWE champ Matt Hardy for example. The 36-year-old was arrested for driving under the influence in North Carolina twice in September. The second time, Hardy was pulled over after other drivers called the police when he almost hit several other cars. His upcoming court date is November 30th.

When faced with a DWI, celebrities really ARE just like the rest of us, facing the same stiff penalties for a DWI. Due to the public’s insatiable thirst to learn of celebrity DUI's and other bad deeds of the famous, and the leaks from the police booking departments to celebrity news outlets, the police seem to be more careful to process and treat the stars no differently than the rest of the public.

Some, like Lindsay Lohan, have served actual jail time. In addition to risking their lives and those of others, public figures also risk their reputation. It's going to be difficult for Mel Gibson to recover from the incident on Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway. The Lethal Weapon star was arrested after driving 87 mph with a bottle of tequila between his legs and the antisemitic rant during his bust continues to tarnish his reputation.

Other famous stars and musicians including New York Jets wide receiver, Braylon Edwards, Nicole Richie, Khloe Kardashian, Rick Springfield, and Melrose Place’s Amy Locane adds to the list of celebrity DUI's.

USC sociologist Julie Abright states in a Los Angeles Times blog post on celebrity DUI's: "Some of these rich and famous are so self-important and narcissistic, surrounded by their entourage, that they can’t think of the possible impact of their actions on others." And like everyone else, sometimes getting behind the wheel after drinking is just a matter of oversight. Celebrity or not, you may not realize when you are at, or over, .08--the legal limit .

If you've been charged with a Texas DWI, call Houston DWI lawyer Paul Darrow for assistance.