Former Football Star Bruce Smith Headed for NFL Hall of Fame; Also Headed to Court on 3rd DUI Charge

Meet Bruce Smith. The former star Defensive End for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins was a career leader in sacks on the field. He also has been recognized for service on the boards of St. Jude's Hospital and Operation Smile, and was a member of the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech, his Alma Mater. In February, he was honored by the Virginia General Assembly, receiving a standing ovation for his career and volunteer work. Last week he was arrested for DUI, his third such charge according to the media.

Of course, Smith was in very good company in the General Assembly, which has had numerous members convicted of DUI, and even more who have driven under the influence but were not convicted. By the time he made it to the House and Senate, he had already been arrested on DUI charges twice, but the charges didn't stick either time. All those politicians that suck up to MADD and take their money must have been suffering from amnesia when they cheered on this multiple DUI arrestee.

Of course, we should all keep in mind that Smith may have been innocent of the charges all three times. But it does go to show what MADD and the DUI crusaders really stand for. They have invented a system where lots of people drive drunk, but only celebrities and wealthy people have a good chance at acquittal on DUI charges. The best DUI defense attorneys are expensive. Add the cost of expert witnesses, court reporters, and independant investigators and you are talking about a lot of money. Of course, the DUI conviction can be even more expensive, but the conviction takes money from defendants over a long period. It is a financial death by a thousand cuts, such as VASAP fees, increased insurance, and fine payments that can be spread out.

Latest Celebrity DUI - Rip Torn... again

Looks like Rip Torn's been charged with DUI again. His last two arrests were in New York, his most recent in Connecticut. Police allegedly caught the famous actor driving in the breakdown lane with a Christmas tree tied to the trunk of his '94 Subaru. He refused to participate in field sobriety tests or to provide a breath sample.

If you think Rip hasn't learned anything from his previous DUI arrests, you are dead wrong! In 2004, Rip was charged with DUI in New York, but he refused to provide a breath sample and he beat the rap. In 2007, he was charged once again with DUI after refusing to provide a breath sample, but he pled guilty. So what was the celebrity actor's lesson? Not to submit a breath sample when ripped, perhaps.

He appears to have a 50/50 record so far after refusing, with the third charge yet to be decided. Without that evidence, it is frequently difficult for the cops to pin a DUI charge on you, as Rip has apparently learned. As usual, I am mystified when a wealthy person drives after drinking. With his fabulous finances, I would imagine Rip could hire a rollback to drive him and his hoopdie back home after he gets rip-roarin' torn-down drunk (or not - let's remember, the guy may be completely innocent). Best of luck to him with his defense - let 'er rip!

Latest Celebrity DUI: Pulitzer prize winner Sam Shepard

Proving once again that people from every walk of life are subject to arrest for DUI, actor and playwright Sam Shepard blew over twice the legal limit in Illinois this weekend. This is going to be a tough case to wiggle out of, even for a celebrity. But don't count him out just yet. A good DUI attorney can be worth his weight in gold, and celebrities usually choose to invest in the best.

The basis for the stop was allegedly speeding (46 MPH in a 30 zone). That's a great basis for a stop and rarely gets overturned by the courts. Then there's the behavior at the stop. Although the news reports don't contain the usual police allegations of bloodshot eyes, odor of alcohol, and difficulty balancing, they do indicate that Shepard pulled onto the sidewalk when he was stopped.

If that's on tape, it serves as additional evidence of intoxication. Unfortunately for Sam, the BAC of 0.175% that registered on the breathalyzer according to TMZ will probably be enough to get him a DUI conviction if not some jail time. It always mystifies me when wealthy people are arrested for DUI. Why drive at all when you could be chauffered everywhere you go?