Another sparkling product of the NFL has appeared on the crime blotter. Corey Dillon, retired running back for the New England Patriots, was reportedly charged with DUI, driving under the influence, or DWI, driving while intoxicated.
Sherriff's deputies have stated that officers spotted a man in a red Chevy Camaro driving very slowly behind them in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. The Super Bowl veteran was pulled over and questioned, and allegedly admitted to drinking earlier the prior evening. Bail for the 35 year-old father of three was set at $5,000.00, he was then released after posting, and he is expected to return to Court in June.
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or DWI, in California is a criminal offense, which is why the $5000.00 bail was set. In New Jersey, DWI is technically a motor vehicle offense but it has with quasi-criminal penalties, including jail fines more than $750.00, license suspension and a record that can negatively impact many other parts of your life.
The recently unlucky football star has been brought to Court for other reasons as well. His wife, Desiree, has reportedly filed for divorce after 10 years of marriage, claiming irreconcilable differences. She has asked for full legal and physical custody of their children, spousal support and legal fees. While she has offered to agree to visitation for Dillon, his pending DWI charge will no doubt have an effect on how liberal that visitation will be, and whether or not the Court will require that he see his children while under supervision. His recent conduct was enough to bring criminal charges of DWI, even if they are not ultimately proven, at the very least give the appearance of questionable behavior, and arguably poor judgment. A judge may not want him driving with his children, for example, until the case is settled.
Given the complexity of the potential consequences of a DUI in New Jersey, it is crucial to have an experienced attorney represent your rights as soon as possible.
Interestingly, Corey Dillon was pulled over for driving unusually slowly. Though most thinkg of erratic driving as speeding or weaving, driving unusually slowly is another form of erratic driving. Driving extremely slowly is usually charged with careless driving, NJSA 39:4-97, which carries a penalty of 2 points as well as a fine, and is certainly a legitimate reason to stop a vehicle in NJ. So do not think you are in the clear if you "take it nice and slow" on your way home from a night out. Or if you do, have your attorney on speed dial.
