Massachusetts DUI Attorney Blog

In another high-profile drunk driving arrest, Washington Redskins cornerback Byron Westbrook has been charged with drunk driving in Charles County, Maryland, according to The Washington Post.

The paper reported that Westbrook was stopped and arrested after a deputy saw him driving erratically on a state highway in Waldorf. Westbrook, who lives in Herndon, was driving a gray Mercedes on Route 5 near Lake Place. Shortly before 2 a.m., the deputy said Westbrook crossed the lane marker several times. Deputies reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol and said he failed several field sobriety tests but declined the breath test.

Many times, an experienced Massachusetts OUI defense lawyer can challenge such evidence; law enforcement commonly uses lane violations (which may or may not have even occurred) to pull over vehicles; filed sobriety tests are also subjective and can be scrutinized by an attorney experienced in fighting for the rights of clients facing Massachusetts drunk driving charges or DUI charges in Maryland or elsewhere in New England.

Westbrook was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired, negligent driving and failing to stay on the right side of the road, the Post reported. He was released pending a court appearance.

The Redskins said the organization has been made aware of the arrest. "We take these issues very seriously," GM Bruce Allen said. "Moving forward, we plan to meet with Byron and will continue to monitor the situation."

The Maryland driving under the influence of alcohol charge is the most serious charge he faces and carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, as well as a six-month license suspension.

He is the second Redskins player to face alcohol charges this off season. Lineman Chad Rinehart was charged with public intoxication last month in Iowa.