Actor Faces DUI Charges, Intends To Fight Them

In California, the presence of virtually any drug in a person’s system can be grounds for a DUI. This includes drugs that are prescribed by a doctor, over the counter drugs, legal marijuana, and illicit drugs. If police believe that a person is under the influence of drugs, they can request blood or urine testing. By obtaining a California driver’s license, a driver agrees to provide police with this on reasonable request. Refusing to give a test is a crime itself. If convicted of a drug DUI, the penalties are similar to an alcohol-related DUI.

The Malibu Patch reports on the arrest of actor Michael Madsen for a drug DUI.

The crash that led to Madsen’s arrest occurred at about 8 p.m. on Sunday when Madsen crashed his Land Rover in Malibu. According to police, Madsen crashed his vehicle into a utility pole.

Police claim Madsen smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test. He was arrested at about 1 a.m. and a bond of $15,000. He was released at about 4 a.m.

This is not Madsen’s first brush with a DUI and was arrested in 2012 for one.

In regard to this instance, Madsen’s attorney said that the crash occurred because Madsen took a prescription medication at a different time than he was used to taking. He normally took the medication at bedtime and taking it during the day made him drowsy. He also indicated that Madsen intended to fight the DUI charge.

Madsen is a well-known actor, most famous for his roles in movies directed by Quentin Tarantino.

 

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