Pennsylvania residents may recall recent media reports about the actor Vince Vaughn being taken into custody by police in California for driving while under the influence of alcohol. The 48-year-old actor was also cited for obstruction when he allegedly refused to cooperate with police officers or exit his vehicle after being stopped at a sobriety checkpoint during the early morning hours of June 10. Prosecutors announced on Sept. 7 that Vaughn has now been charged with misdemeanor DUI and faces the prospect of almost a year behind bars if convicted.
Police say that Vaughn, who is best known for his comedic roles in films including ‘Wedding Crashers” and ‘The Internship,” and his male passenger were detained after refusing repeated calls to get out of their vehicle and submit to sobriety tests. Vaughn’s passenger was subsequently cited for obstruction and public intoxication. The incident took place at about 12:40 a.m. at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Artesia Boulevard in Manhattan Beach. However, the actor was not charged at that time according to reports. His case was instead assigned to the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
Vaughn has been charged with driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher, refusing to submit to an inspection and refusing to comply with a peace officer. A representative from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office says that the actor faces up to 360 days in a county jail if he is convicted on all counts.
Experienced criminal defense attorneys would likely advise those facing drunk driving charges to avoid making their situations worse by acting belligerently with law enforcement. These cases are generally resolved at the negotiating table, and attorneys may find it more difficult to secure favorable plea agreements for individuals who did not cooperate with police.
Source: Page Six, Vince Vaughn could face up to 360 days in jail after DUI arrest, Natalie Musumeci, Sept. 7, 2018
