April is the NFL Draft season, when the league’s 32 teams draft the best college players to strengthen their rosters. This year’s draft might be disappointing for one prospect in particular, University of Texas’s T’Vondre Sweat, who was picked up for drunk driving in Austin earlier this month. Expected to be a second or third round selection, Sweat now has a DWI charge hanging over his head, which is never good news. In fact, some analysts think his draft stock is falling as a result.
If you were arrested for drunk driving, you’ll need a skilled DWI defense attorney. Call The Law Offices of Tad A. Nelson & Associates to schedule a free consultation.
Arrest Details
According to Sports Illustrated, Sweat was behind the wheel of an SUV when it crashed at 4:00 in the morning on Interstate 35. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision had fled on foot, leaving behind only Sweat to talk with the police.
According to released police affidavits, Sweat’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.105%. That is higher than the state’s 0.08% threshold by a considerable amount. Furthermore, Sweat was tested over an hour after the officer arrived at the scene of the collision, so it was likely higher at impact.
A 0.105% BAC is also extremely high for someone who weighs over 300 pounds. Police first noticed he was swaying and smelled strongly of alcohol, so they investigated and requested a breath sample.
Sweat was taken to jail Sunday morning, only to be released on a $3,000 bond. He has been charged with Class B misdemeanor DWI, which carries as punishment up to 180 days in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine. This is his first DWI offense.
A Risky Draft Pick?
As we mention regularly at this website, a DWI is a definite negative mark for anyone seeking a job. And this includes football players. Already, rumors are swirling that the 6-4, 366-pound interior lineman might be too risky for the Houston Texas, who desperately need to pick up a defensive tackle this draft. Sweat had a lot of hype thanks to his play last year for the Longhorns, which earned him the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also impressed at the NFL combine with his physical skills.
However, draft experts now predict that his DWI could knock him out of the second round, and possibly cause the Houston Texas to pass on him altogether.
This result wouldn’t be unusual. Historically, NFL teams have also passed on prospects for drug or alcohol use, including Warren Sapp, who admitted that he smoked marijuana in college. An arrest for DWI makes someone look risky. A second or subsequent arrest could land someone in jail for months, which makes it hard to participate in a new job.
Experts anticipate Sweat will likely be drafted but perhaps not by the Houston Texas. We wish him the best of luck.
No Celebrity Justice
The best path for anyone facing DWI charges, regardless of their profession, is to fight aggressively. As this media story shows, many people will automatically assume you are guilty and will act accordingly. It’s possible for anyone to lose job opportunities for a DWI arrest—even before conviction.
An arrest has negative repercussions. A defendant will have their license suspended automatically, which means losing the ability to drive yourself to work or school. Tad Nelson and his team can request an Administrative License Revocation hearing to contest the basis of the arrest. If successful, we can keep your license, otherwise we will need to consider other options.
Call us today. Texas vigorously prosecutes DWI, and even a first-time offender will spend time in jail. No one catches a break, regardless of their profession or celebrity.
Helpfully, there are options for fighting a DWI, which we have learned about over the past 20 years. Of course, the best ones are based on the facts of your case. There’s no point bringing a specific defense if the facts don’t warrant it.
Depending on your criminal history, we might also see if you can defer adjudication. This would allow you to complete probation and then avoid a conviction on your record.
Our DWI Defense Lawyers Can Help Anyone Arrested
A DWI arrest might be a heart-stopping moment, but there are few “open and shut” cases. Our firm has years of experience getting charges dismissed or reduced, including winning cases which other firms passed on. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
