Musician’s recent Tennessee arrest adds to list of DUI troubles
n the past we have shared information about the legal hardships experienced by Todd Harrell, a band member of rock group 3 Doors Down. He has been arrested various times in his life, and a couple of those arrests have been within the last couple of years here in Tennessee.
Now, the bassist faces more trouble. He was arrested for suspicion of DUI in Tennessee again this week. That makes this specific potential charge more threatening than a first-time offense charge. Multiple DUIs increase the possible sentencing for a drunk driving defendant in Tennessee, or, as in Harrell’s case, a supposedly drugged driving defendant.
Authorities are waiting for the results of a blood test so they can identify the substance that they believe left Harrell too impaired to drive and “slumped over” behind the wheel of a vehicle earlier this week. Anything from marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine or even prescription drugs could support a repeat DUI charge against the seemingly struggling celebrity suspect.
His past DUI-related arrest in Tennessee was particularly serious in itself. As we indicated in a past post about the now infamous musician, his other case involves a vehicular homicide charge. Harrell is accused of driving while impaired and causing an accident that killed someone.
Clearly, Harrell, who is now out on bond, has some fighting to do if he wants to avoid serious sentencing. A conviction of a second DUI in Tennessee results in a minimum of 45 days in jail, as well as a two-year driver’s license revocation. And that conviction isn’t all that he and his defense lawyer are fighting. His other DUI case isn’t over yet.
Someone doesn’t need to have multiple DUI arrests on his or her record or caused a fatal wreck in order to need a vigilant defense. Even a college student who has been charged with a first DWI should not hesitate to consult with an experienced drunk driving defense attorney who has a defendant’s future in mind.
Source: The Associated Press, “Todd Harrell of 3 Doors Down arrested for second DUI,” Feb. 19, 2014