Iman Shumpert of Sacramento Kings Gets Probation but No Jail for Georgia DUI

Iman Shumpert of the Sacramento Kings basketball team was arrested on August 10, 2016, on a highway in Fayette County, Georgia. A Fayette County Sheriff's Office deputy noticed Shumpert was driving without any working taillights and was failing to maintain his vehicle within the marked lanes.

When Shumpert was pulled over by the deputy, the officer immediately noticed the smell of marijuana. Shumpert struggled to pass field sobriety tests, prompting the deputy to arrest him due to his intoxication by marijuana. A search of the vehicle resulted in the deputy finding a Mason jar full of marijuana.

Shumpert was taken to Fayette County Jail after refusing to go to the hospital for fear of being recognized. The case has been in the litigation stage for two years, during which time Shumpert switched from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Sacramento Kings. Shumpert was finally sentenced on December 18, 2018, after a no contest plea to charges of DUI drugs, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and failure to maintain lane.

There are times when a plea is the right choice for you, but it should never be the first thing you do. To understand when a plea is in your best interests, you should consult with an experienced Georgia DUI attorney.

When a Plea is Right for You

Pleading guilty to a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. In fact, choosing to plea without fighting your charges at all could be the most unwise choice you could make. DUI convictions may carry jail time, high fines, lengthy probation time, and the loss of your right to drive.

This is something you must consider before making a plea to a charge. There are defenses which can be raised to accusations of drunk or drugged driving, and an experienced attorney can inform you of what strategies you can use to fight your charges.

Factors You and Your Attorney Will Consider

When making the decision about whether a plea is right for you, you will discuss all of your options with your attorney, including the pros and cons associated with going to trial versus a plea. Things you will both consider include:

• the strength of the prosecutor's case;
• the available evidence against you, if any;
• any defenses you may have against the DUI charges;
• violations of your constitutional rights which occurred during the arrest; and
• improper police or prosecutor procedures at any stage of the proceedings.

All of these factors and more will help you and your attorney determine whether a plea is right for you. If not, you will fight your charges at trial.

Consult a Georgia DUI Attorney

If you or someone you care for has been arrested for DUI in the state of Georgia, there are defenses you can raise to fight your charges. Whether a plea is right for you depends on the facts of your case, and should not be something you try to face without the help of an experienced Georgia DUI attorney.

Contact us today for a free consultation.