KU football player arrested for suspicion of DUI and other charges.

Looks like the boys in blue busted one of our boys in blue.  Nicolas Sizemore was arrested this weekend on suspicion of DUI.  He has been issued a bond from the Lawrence municipal court and given a new court date to appear on the charges.  An article in the Lawrence Journal World covers the story.  Accordingly, the KU Head coach, Charlie Weis has suspended him for the first three games of the season for violating team rules.

DUI is a unique crime that many people, from all walks of life can easily find themselves charged with in the state of Kansas. If you've been charged with a DUI it doesn't mean you're a bad person. DUI charges are usually the result of an error in judgment. People usually don't consciously drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. What is more common is that people drive under the mistaken belief that they are "okay"; to drive. Of course, most people aren't equipped to determine what their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is before they start driving.

Most people that are charged with a DUI in Kansas know that it is a serious charge but beyond that have no idea what to do. They find themselves with many questions and concerns but because they have never been in trouble before they do not know where to turn, or they are embarrassed and are unwilling to seek help. From the outset there are very important deadlines that need to be met to preserve not only your freedom but your privilege to drive. In Kansas, simply one missed deadline will cause you to automatically loose your ability to contest the suspension of your driver's license.

From the start of your DUI case you need the help of an experienced DUI defense attorney. You need to sit down with an attorney that can give you some honest and accurate advice, based on experience handling these types of cases. The DUI laws change nearly every year and the consequences of those changes can way heavily on your case. 

The article is below.

KU Football player Nick Sizemore arrest on suspicion of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident

by Ian Cummings

A senior Kansas University football player has been suspended after being arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of DUI early Sunday morning in the 1800 block of West Sixth Street.  Nicolas Wade Sizemore, 22, Lititz, Pa., was stopped by police for driving without headlights just after midnight, said Sgt. Trent McKinley, a Lawrence Police Department spokesman. Officers suspected that Sizemore was intoxicated and had struck a parked vehicle in the parking lot of The Ranch, 2515 W. Sixth St., minutes before being stopped. He was booked into Douglas County Jail on suspicion of DUI and leaving the scene of a noninjury accident.

Sizemore was issued a notice to appear in Lawrence Municipal Court on May 1 and was released from jail on a $700 bond.  Kansas football coach Charlie Weis announced Monday morning that Sizemore, a senior tight end, has been suspended for the first three games of the 2013 season for a violation of team rules, according to a news release from Kansas Athletics.

“As I have previously stated, every player on our team knows and understands our rules and regulations,” Weis said in the statement. “They also know the consequences for violations.”

DUI charges dismissed against former KU/ Former Pro Football player.

It looks like the Douglas County District Attorney dismissed the DUI charge against former KU football player and Pro Football player Elvis Patterson.  It turns out that after reviewing the tape of the DUI case shot by the officer's dash cam and in light of the defendant's medical condition the Prosecutors determined that there was not enough evidence to pursue a conviction.  It just goes to show you that you don't have to be drunk to fail a field sobriety test.  Like any physical test there are many different factors that  can contribute to a negative response to a directive by an officer.  These tests are very subjective and we always recommend that anyone that is pulled over by the police and suspected of a DUI to refuse the field sobriety tests.  You are not required to take them so don't give the police anymore evidence against you.

Here is the article that this post was derived from.

Prosecutors dismiss DUI charge against former KU, Pro Football Player
By Chad Diepenbrock

Douglas County prosecutors Thursday dismissed a DUI charge against former Kansas University and NFL football player Elvis Patterson related to a June 4, 2011, traffic stop east of Lawrence. Patterson, 51, Lenexa, pleaded guilty two traffic infractions, refusing a preliminary breath test and speeding for going 12 mph over the limit on Kansas Highway 10. District Judge Michael Malone ordered Patterson to pay $260 in fines and court costs.

Assistant District Attorney Greg Benefiel said prosecutors agreed to dismiss the DUI count after reviewing a video of the stop. Patterson had communicated to Douglas County Sheriff’s officers he had a medical condition that affected his ability to perform field sobriety tests, the prosecutor said. “We determined that the case could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” Benefiel said. Patterson’s attorney John Ivan earlier this year filed a civil petition contending Patterson told officers he had a medical condition and a disability that made it “impossible for him to perform the balance and coordination tests.” Ivan also wrote in the petition a patrol car video recorded only officers at the scene and not Patterson. Patterson was a KU defensive back from 1981 to 1983 and won Super Bowls as a member of the 1986 New York Giants and 1993 Dallas Cowboys.