A NASCAR driver faces serious punishment from not only the legal system, but also his employer, after recent charges for a DUI offense.
Michael Annett was placed on probation for the remainder of the 2011 season by NASCAR officials after he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. Annett, who was involved in a minor accident in North Carolina, was found by police to have a blood alcohol content of 0.32, which is four times the legal limit in that state - the same limit as Arizona.
The incident demonstrates the impact a DUI offense can have upon one's career, as Annett raced in the Daytona 500 but is now required to undergo an evaluation by a drug abuse counselor. He must also submit to random drug and alcohol testing throughout the long NASCAR season.
Annett rear-ended another car that had stopped at a traffic light. He was arrested and charged with DUI, texting while driving, failure to reduce speed and resisting an officer.
NASCAR drivers have had previous brushes with DUI, among them AJ Allmendinger, who was ordered to submit to a breathalyzer test each time he took to the track following his 2009 DUI arrest.
For Annett, the consequences could have been far more serious, especially if he had been arrested in a state with stricter DUI laws. In Arizona, a first offense results in a mandatory minimum of 10 days in prison, $1,800 in fines and a 90-day drivers' license suspension. The current law also calls for mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device for those convicted of first-time DUI offenses. The driver could also be placed on probation for up to five years.
Experts suggest that if you are ever charged with DUI, you should consult with an experienced DUI attorney to discuss your options.
