NBA Coach Charged with DWI

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New Orleans LA DUI defense attorneyWith the NBA being such a big part of the sports culture here, I found the recent news of a DWI arrest for a coach quite interesting.

According to the NBA, Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was arrested on Aug. 28 for not having working taillights. The trooper said the coach had bloodshot, watery eyes, along with a strong smell of alcohol on his breath.

The Hawks’ coach refused to take a breath test but agreed to a field sobriety test. Budenholzer told the officer that he only had one glass of wine before being pulled over, despite slurred and slow speech patterns.

Budenholzer plans to contest the DWI charges, pleading not guilty on Aug. 29.

The coach was released from jail on a $1,524 bond. Following the release, Budenholzer’s attorney said he went to Piedmont Hospital, where his blood alcohol level was tested at .01. Like all states in the U.S., this is well below the legal limit of .08. This test, however, was performed several hours after the arrest.

Budenholzer joined the Hawks in May after a long tenure as a Spurs assistant coach.

Following the arrest, the coach’s attorney released this statement:

“I take my role as a leader very seriously and hold myself to a high standard. I apologize to the fans and to the Hawks organization for any negative attention this incident has brought upon my family and the organization while the legal process evolves and I contest these misdemeanor charges.”

This case proves once again that no one is immune to a DWI charge. Many clients I work with believed it could never happen to them, only to face the harsh reality when they were charged.

If you have questions about Budenholzer’s case or have been charged with a DWI yourself, be sure to contact an experienced DWI attorney.

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By George Vourvoulias

George is a founding member and managing member of Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias L.L.C., a New Orleans law firm. George concentrates his practice in maritime personal injury, construction litigation, personal injury, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, and DUI defense. George Vourvoulias's Google+ Profile

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