Attorneys Need More Time for Pop Star’s Justin Bieber’s DUI Plea Deal

On Wednesday, July 16th, after weeks of delays, Justin Bieber’s attorneys requested more time to work on a plea deal in the teen idol’s Florida DUI case.

Bieber was originally arrested on DUI charges on January 23rd, after police pulled him and a friend over for drag racing through Miami’s streets. The arresting officer believed that Bieber was intoxicated, although a Breathalyzer test revealed a blood alcohol content of only 0.02. However, a urine test showed the presence of both marijuana and the anti-anxiety medication, Xanax, in the pop star’s system, so Bieber was formally charged with driving under the influence of drugs, or DUID, underage DUI, and driving with a suspended license.

During the Wednesday hearing, both Assistant Florida State Attorney David Gilbert and Bieber’s attorney, Mark Shapiro, requested an additional three weeks to discuss the DUI plea deal. The trial was originally set to begin in May, but Bieber and his attorneys accepted a potential plea deal, which is still in the works between prosecution and defense.

The Canadian-born teenage pop singer has faced numerous other trials recently, including a settlement involving property damage after throwing eggs at a neighbor’s house in Los Angeles; a personal injury lawsuit for punching a limo driver; and, most recently, the singer faced a personal injury lawsuit for hitting a pedestrian with his Ferrari.

Reportedly, the DUI plea deal took months longer than expected because the judge overseeing the case made two stipulations: first, Bieber must produce, star in, and pay for an anti-drug PSA, and second, he must attend a drug and alcohol education course. Bieber’s attorneys believed that the judge’s demands were inappropriate, that their client did not have a drug or alcohol problem and creating the PSA and attending the education classes would be an admission of guilt. Prosecutors settled for an anger management class in the end.

Consequences of Underage DUI

South Carolina’s strict zero tolerance policy and the future implications of an underage drinking conviction make it critical that you contact a South Carolina underage drinking lawyer to protect your rights.

If you are under 21 and and your blood alcohol (BAC) is at least .02 and less than .08 you face the following:

• Your license (or permit) will be suspended or withheld for three months for a first offense; six months for a second offense within five years.
• Your license will be suspended for six months if a chemical test is refused during a first offense; a one-year suspension if it’s the second offense within five years.

A driver who is over the age of 18 but under 21 charged with DUI may additionally be charged with child endangerment and subject to additional criminal penalties if they are carrying a passenger younger than 16.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Underage DUI Charges

The DUI defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm are based in Columbia, SC and collectively have more than 50 years of complex litigation experience. If you or a loved one are under age and have been charged with a DUI, you will need help defending your rights. Contact the Strom Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800