An accusation of committing a DUI is enough to entirely shock and scare a person. In one moment, someone is having what he thinks is a safe number of drinks with friends. In the next moment, he is standing on the side of the road with a police officer, blowing into a Breathalyzer machine, handcuffed and taken into custody.
This scene can happen to anyone, even a famous athlete. Colorado Rockies pitcher Alex White was arrested last Saturday night in Arizona for suspicion of DUI. Despite the police reports and accusations regarding White’s condition at the time of the arrest, he claims that he had only two drinks on the night in question. His report doesn’t easily match up with the charge of extreme DUI that White is likely to face.
All DUI charges are serious, but an extreme DUI is especially serious. When a suspect’s blood alcohol test comes back with a reading of 0.15 and above, he can be charged with extreme DUI. White’s BAC level was, according to police reports, 0.174, which means the system will likely seek an extreme DUI conviction.
In Arizona, that potential conviction could mean the following: 30 days in jail, probation, loss of driver’s license, required ignition interlock device when the license is returned, and fines. In certain professions, like professional sports, those convicted of DUI offenses will often face consequences by their employer. So far, it sounds like White’s team doesn’t plan on punishing the pitcher. But it’s still early on in this case, and White has a legal battle before him before he can breathe easy.
Source
The Arizona Republic: “Scottsdale police: Rockies pitcher was at twice legal limit,” DiAngelea Millar and Laurie Merrill, Mar. 6, 2012