On September 14, 2010, singer George Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in prison after earlier pleading guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and possessing cannabis.
The charges stemmed from a July 2010 incident where Michael drove his Range Rover into a photography store. Michael, former lead singer for 80s pop group Wham!, was found awake but unresponsive in his car and with no memory of what happened. Two cannabis cigarettes were found on his person.
By pleading guilty and showing remorse, his jail sentence was reduced, but the court refused Michael’s request to serve community service in lieu of jail time.
Michael has admitted his frequent cannabis use to the media and has a history of erratic driving. He had previously been convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2007, and he has fallen asleep while driving on at least three separate occasions.
Under California Vehicle Code section 23152(a) and (b), a driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who possess a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher, is guilty of driving under the influence. The punishment for driving under the influence varies with the circumstances, including whether the driver has been previously convicted of DUI and whether the driver caused property damage or bodily injury.
Under California Health and Safety Code section 11357(a), unlawful possession of under an ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanor by up to a year in jail, up to a $500 fine, or both imprisonment and the fine.
If you or someone you know has been accused of driving under the influence or drug possession, you will need a Southern California defense lawyer with experience defending people accused of DUIs and drug crimes. At Wallin & Klarich, we have helped people accused of DUIs and drug offenses for over 30 years. Call us today at (888) 280-6839 or visit us at our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.
