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Dennis Quaid was almost busted on a DUI, but the police pulled up beside him and convinced him to get a cab. Should he be charged anyway?

After all, he was behind the wheel of a vehicle with the motor running.

Full story here: http://www.tmz.com/2009/10/22/dennis-quaid-kimberly-mel-gibson-dui-drunk-driving-cops-cab-video/
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raerae2
raerae2
Marked as Best! October 23, 2009 04:07 AM
If a regular citizen were in the same position, they would be extremely lucky to have this happen. Any cop knows and will tell you that you don't even have to hit the gas and move the car to be charged with a DUI. All you have to do to break the law of driving under the influence is be in the car with the key in the ignition. Therefore, Quaid should be charged just like any other citizen.

If he hadn't yet gotten in the car, then it would've been feasible and gracious of the cop to simply urge him to take a cab instead and I would say "good work" to the police force for keeping him off the road. Most cops wouldn't do that. Where I'm living now, all you have to do to be arrested is be in public and noticeably intoxicated to be arrested for public drunkenness. As it is, though, Quaid was in the driver's seat with the car engaged, regardless of whether or not he wanted to drive, he still made the decision to have valet bring his car around, which makes him guilty of DUI.
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aw
aw
October 22, 2009 08:33 PM
I think that a good cop who found anyone in a similar situation for the first time should let them go. In the video it did not seem like he moved at all and the break according to the lights loked to be engaged the whole time. I think a warning was warranted but a DUI would be a little much. At least he had the common sense to exit his vehicle and call a cab.
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quesera
quesera
October 22, 2009 08:38 PM
Wow. I have to say, it makes me pretty angry to hear about celebrities getting special treatment. I know someone who got busted for a DUI when he was--get this--sleeping in his car, with the car off, and the keys on the seat next to him. That this guy got away with it is ridiculous. How is anyone supposed to expect fair and equal treatment under the law when the rich get away with it?

Cops have too must discretion. If it's illegal, arrest everyone, or arrest no one. This is setting a terrible example for all citizens, and the cops should be ashamed. Quaid should be ashamed as well, and if no charges are brought against him, he should take the steps to atone, such as doing some charity work around drunk driving issues, speaking to teen drivers, etc. He should also publicly apologize for attempting to put lives in danger.

That officer should lose his job. Just disgraceful.
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vicgoodwin...
vicgoodwin...
October 22, 2009 09:09 PM
I think the police showed a great amount of good will.I am of the opinion that this happens more than the police get credit for. He was not quite driving and he was very compliant with the police. I think it was a good thing all around.
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michelleld...
michelleld...
October 23, 2009 02:55 AM
I think a lot of times, cops will try to prevent arresting for DWI when they can. I worked closely with law enforcement when I worked victim advocacy, and a DWI arrest is a tough one to process. I think the cops, if they see it before someone actually drives off, will try to prevent it and if they do, there's no crime--technically.

Did he get special treatment because he's a celebrity? Maybe.

I think mostly I'm happy he didnt' drink and drive.
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spaz_ol
spaz_ol
October 25, 2009 02:40 PM
I think Dennis Quaid was lucky in not being arrested and I think the cop was absolutely within his power to use his discretion and not give him the DUI. No big deal there. I also think that most cops use their discretion in a similar way SOME of the time (can't let everyone go!). They prefer not to have to arrest someone if they don't have to. But news stories aren't written about these other people being let off the hook, so majority of people believe this is "special treatment" when they see a celebrity catch a lucky break. And if every person calling for the law to be applied with no discretion on the officer's part were to tell me that they NEVER speed, NEVER drive without a seatbelt, NEVER jaywalk, etc., I'd laugh in their faces. In all seriousness, we should see this news story and just say, "Hey, what a lucky break. I hope next time he calls the cab without any thought of driving home intoxicated."
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