Like many states, California has to escalate DUI penalties. That is, the more DUI convictions a person receives, the steeper the penalties become. After a first DUI conviction, a second DUI conviction within 10 years can count towards these escalations. A second DUI can mean up to two years of license suspension. The convicted can even spend up to one year in jail and must attend between 18 and 30 months of DUI school. It also becomes mandatory to have an ignition interlock device installed on the vehicle as well as between three and five years of probation.
The Malibu Patch reports on actor Michael Madsen facing his second DUI charge.
Actor Michael Madsen of Tarantino film fame is facing two misdemeanor DUI charges stemming from his arrest last month in Malibu.
On Tuesday, the 61-year-old actor was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol within 10 years of another DUI offense as well as driving with a 0.08% blood-alcohol content within 10 years of a previous offense.
The arrest came on March 24th after Madsen struck a pole while driving his vehicle.
Madsen was also arrested on DUI charges in 2012 in Malibu.
If convicted, Madsen faces up to a year in jail.
Madsen’s attorney said that the actor’s accident was related to medication that he was taking under a doctor’s care. The medicine is supposed to be taken at night before bed, but Madsen took it earlier in the day.
According to Madsen’s attorney, he will use that defense in court to explain the charges.
