Marshawn Lynch now charged with DUI
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was charged Wednesday with driving under the influence in Northern California.
Lynch was charged by the Alameda County district attorney with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and driving while having a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher. Lynch has a court date on Aug. 14, which is in the middle of Seahawks training camp.
But Lynch's attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press that he feels the case could get thrown out or reduced because of discrepancies in blood-alcohol tests.
Golde's contention is that Lynch was not at the California legal limit of .08 when he was pulled over in Emeryville, Calif., on Saturday and tested at the scene. Golde noted that Lynch's level was higher when he was tested on a calibrated breathalyzer later at the jail.
"We think we have a really strong case," Golde said.
Teresa Drenick, director of communications for the Alameda County district attorney, could not confirm Golde's claim about Lynch's blood-alcohol content and said she could not discuss the details of the case.
Lynch was seen weaving on Interstate 880 in the Oakland, Calif., area on Saturday morning, leading to his arrest for investigation of DUI. An incident report released by the California Highway Patrol described Lynch driving a Ford Econoline van and having two near collisions with two other vehicles driving in adjacent lanes.
This is Lynch's first off-field problem since coming over to Seattle from Buffalo during the 2010 season. Lynch's career stalled with the Bills and was highlighted by two off-field brushes with the law, one of which resulted in a three-game suspension.
He pleaded guilty in March 2009 to a misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years' probation, and was suspended three games by the league for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.
That was Lynch's second run-in with the law with the Bills. He was also involved in a hit-and-run accident in Buffalo in May 2008. In the earlier incident, he pleaded guilty to a traffic violation and admitted to driving away after striking a woman with his car near Buffalo's downtown bar district.
The league is aware of Lynch's latest legal trouble, but it's unclear whether his past transgressions could get lumped together with his current DUI arrest and lead to yet another suspension.
Lynch signed a four-year contract in March that will keep him in a Seattle uniform for the prime of his NFL career. The contract is worth $31 million, including a guaranteed $18 million. Lynch rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Lynch was charged by the Alameda County district attorney with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and driving while having a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher. Lynch has a court date on Aug. 14, which is in the middle of Seahawks training camp.
But Lynch's attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press that he feels the case could get thrown out or reduced because of discrepancies in blood-alcohol tests.
Golde's contention is that Lynch was not at the California legal limit of .08 when he was pulled over in Emeryville, Calif., on Saturday and tested at the scene. Golde noted that Lynch's level was higher when he was tested on a calibrated breathalyzer later at the jail.
"We think we have a really strong case," Golde said.
Teresa Drenick, director of communications for the Alameda County district attorney, could not confirm Golde's claim about Lynch's blood-alcohol content and said she could not discuss the details of the case.
Lynch was seen weaving on Interstate 880 in the Oakland, Calif., area on Saturday morning, leading to his arrest for investigation of DUI. An incident report released by the California Highway Patrol described Lynch driving a Ford Econoline van and having two near collisions with two other vehicles driving in adjacent lanes.
This is Lynch's first off-field problem since coming over to Seattle from Buffalo during the 2010 season. Lynch's career stalled with the Bills and was highlighted by two off-field brushes with the law, one of which resulted in a three-game suspension.
He pleaded guilty in March 2009 to a misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years' probation, and was suspended three games by the league for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.
That was Lynch's second run-in with the law with the Bills. He was also involved in a hit-and-run accident in Buffalo in May 2008. In the earlier incident, he pleaded guilty to a traffic violation and admitted to driving away after striking a woman with his car near Buffalo's downtown bar district.
The league is aware of Lynch's latest legal trouble, but it's unclear whether his past transgressions could get lumped together with his current DUI arrest and lead to yet another suspension.
Lynch signed a four-year contract in March that will keep him in a Seattle uniform for the prime of his NFL career. The contract is worth $31 million, including a guaranteed $18 million. Lynch rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Once an outlaw, always an outlaw... ask Buffalo who couldn't get rid of him fast enough.
This won't be his last run in with the law... Guy like him, if they didn't have football, they'd be in prison.
Mesh, I hope you are right. 4- 6 games would kill our season. Geez if you drink get a driver all the way home. You can have your car towed for less than 18M!
There are some relevant details not mentioned here.
He was given a ride in a limo from the charity event he was attending to his vehicle which was only a short distance from his residence, In no way am I condoning his actions but the perception is significantly more negative and uninformed than it should be.
Also he will most likely be able to avoid any suspensions during the 2012 season through His lawyer and player reps making appeals.
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And if you still want to hate, if he is convicted his contract will be voided by the NFL and he loses 18 million dollars. How many of you know someone who stands to lose 18 million dollars on a first offense misdemeanor?
 Another sad day for The Seahawks, and for Seahawk fans alike.
I love the picture! Â What me? No one will really care, plus he's got the bucks to pay the fine and then some. Any publicity is good publicity for these guys.
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I have no sympathy for those who play sports, make a ton of cash and can't seem to use more than one brain cell. If you make that kind of money get a driver....come on Marshawn!
Well he definitely chose loser mode that night He will be back and all the fans will have forgiven him Look at penn State if you doubt it
This guy is officially an idiot in my books. I know he had a sordid past, but I was hopeful that he was over it. I am guessing that the he will be suspended for anywhere from 4 to 6 games this year because of it. There go our chances this year.
"Booze Mode"
Lynch made a selfish decision and now his teammates will have to pay for it. Maybe next time he'll think about what he's doing and how it affects others.
Just don't ask Warren Moon or Lofa Tatupu for a ride to the courthouse
You can take the man out of the ghetto but ........
Took 4 days to determine the charge? He blew over .08 folks. Anyone outside of a celebrity or athlete.. it would have taken 4 minutes to be charged. Pathetic!
Why would Lynch be driving an Econoline van????
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Hope they throw the book at him! I'm a big Seahawks fan ... but I more against drunk drivers.
Holds more Skittles...