Celebrities may get special treatment at their favorite restaurants or nightclubs, but many law enforcement officers are not so quick to extend special treatment. On June 11, 2018, actor Vince Vaughn and a friend learned this lesson the hard way.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the Wedding Crashers star and a passenger were each arrested at a DUI checkpoint outside of Los Angeles in the area just south of the Los Angeles airport between Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. According to law enforcement, Vaughn was charged with driving under the influence. Both men were also charged with public intoxication and resisting, delaying, or obstructing law enforcement officers. Vaughn, 48, was arrested after failing a field sobriety test and submitting a blood sample for blood alcohol concentration testing. Both men were taken to Manhattan Beach to be booked. They were released a few hours later.

According to law enforcement officers, the charge of resisting, delaying, or obstructing was not due to either man physically fighting with officers. The police spokesman went on to say the charge stemmed from the men refusing to exit the car and delaying the investigation.

Vaughn doesn't have a long criminal history, but he has been arrested before. In 2001, the actor was arrested after a bar brawl that saw fellow actor Steve Buscemi cut by a knife in the face, arm, and throat. The assault charges against Vaughn stemming from this incident were ultimately dropped. Given that this is Vaughn's first DUI arrest he is likely to face lenient sentencing if he is convicted or pleads guilty.

First Time DUI Penalties in Washington State

While penalties in Washington State are lower on a first-offense DUI, the consequences are still substantial. A first offense DUI is charged as a gross misdemeanor. Washington State Law sets out an array of penalties depending on your BAC level at the time of your arrest.

Low BAC arrest(Under 0.15%):

• A minimum of 24 hours of incarceration and a maximum of 364 days
• A fine of $350 - $5,000
• 90 days of license suspension

High BAC arrest (0.15% or more):

• A minimum of 48 hours of incarceration and a maximum of 364 days
• A fine of $500 - $5,000
• 1 year of license suspension

Refusal of a sobriety test:

• A minimum of 48 hours of incarceration and a maximum of 364 days
• A fine of $500 - $5,000
• 2 years of license suspension

Even a first offense DUI conviction can have an oversized impact on your life. On top of the possibility of incarceration or large fines, a DUI conviction can keep you from getting a driver's license or cost you your job. This is without considering the major stigma of merely being accused of DUI.

The Law Offices of Steve Karimi understand that a momentary lapse in judgment can lead to a good person making a terrible mistake. Steve Karimi is a former prosecutor that has dedicated his practice to defending the accused. If you have been charged with a DUI in the Seattle area, contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi to set up your free consultation.