Drunk driving charges should not be taken lightly, no matter who is facing them. As I have mentioned before, facing a DUI can result in heavy penalties if a driver is convicted. However, there are many hurdles that must be overcome before any conviction can take place.
Recently Central Michigan University sports fans learned that DUI charges are being waged against one of the school’s basketball players. Police report that on April 21, a senior basketball guard was arrested and charged with driving a vehicle while intoxicated.
Though the young man has not been convicted of any crime, he has been suspended indefinitely from the basketball team. This comes on the heels of his stand-out last season here he played in 31 games, averaging 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Though not mentioned by officials, it is certain that the player will be considered for reinstatement if he is not convicted on DUI related charges.
Like all who are accused of DUI-related offenses in Michigan, the young man’s case rests in part on whether the state can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that his blood alcohol level was above 0.08 percent while he was driving. Because this was his first offense, he faces up to a $500 fine, 93 days in jail or 360 hours of community service if convicted. However, just like others who have been accused of DUI-related charges, the basketball player in this case will be able to present a full and complete defense against the accusations.
Source: Central Michigan Life, “CMU basketball guard Finis Craddock ‘suspended indefinitely’ following Saturday arrest,” Aaron McMann, April 24, 2012
