DUI Charges Dropped Against Former NHL Player

Chris Chelios, a former professional hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks, had his DUI charges dismissed in February of 2010 related to an arrest made last December in Illinois.

In the case, the arresting officers had submitted evidence of a patrol car security video in which Chelios admitted to having "a couple" of drinks before driving his vehicle. After viewing the video, however, DuPage County Judge Cary Pierce determined that the arresting officers made the DUI arrest without having probable cause. In lieu of the judgment, the prosecuting attorneys decided not to go ahead with a trial, and the DUI charges against Chelios were dropped.

Instead of a DUI, the former hockey star pleaded guilty to speeding and improper lane usage. He was fined $500 and sentenced to 6 months of non-reporting probation. Chelios, who is 48, was glad to have the DUI charges dropped.

You Can Also Beat Your DUI Charge

Cases like this are not uncommon. Each year, DUI charges are dropped based on proof of invalid arrests. Without probable cause, a DUI arrest has no legal standing, and a judge will have no other choice than to dismiss the case. To know whether your Virginia DUI charges are beatable, you should contact a Virginia DUI attorney.

If you have recently been charged with a Virginia DUI, you probably have a lot of questions about where to go from here. Visit our article library for details on invalid arrests as a DUI defense. 

Virginia DUI lawyer Bob Battle has the experience and ability to help his clients use these errors to mount a successful DUI defense. To learn more about Virginia DUI, get a free copy of Bob Battle's consumer guide, How to Choose a DUI Lawyer in Virginia. Or, contact 804-673-5600 to schedule your legal consultation today.