Yagudin Charged with DUI [Archive]

mikey

09-01-2003, 03:24 AM

The only reason this is news is because he is a celebrity. There are dozens of DUI arrests in each of our home towns every weekend. We need to be careful in assuming that he has a raging alcohol problem.

I am NOT saying the DUI is not a significant event. I am NOT saying that the courts should go easy on him. I am just asking that people keep the emotions, judgements, and rumors at a controlled minimum until the real facts come out.

karina1974

09-01-2003, 07:05 AM

Actually, he was charged with DWI, which is a more serious charge than DUI. His blood-alcohol level was above the legel 0.08 limit, plus he was driving over the 40 mph speed limit, so he's going to get charged with speeding on top of that.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/story/113807p-102710c.html

milanessa

09-01-2003, 07:36 AM

Where did you get that information, Karina? Your own linked reference says "operating under the influence of alcohol..." No news release I've seen says DWI.

gerry

Dion

09-01-2003, 08:37 AM

I live in the area where this incident happened so our local news stations led off with this story last night. There were a few stations covering this and as I recall some said DWI and others said DUI. They also showed old footage of Oksana's court appearance for her DWI charge. :roll:

The arresting officer said in an interview that Yagudin was polite and cooperative throughout his 2 hour stay at the police station, and was brought home by a friend. Police also said that Yagudin stated he was coming home from a business meeting.

Suzanne

09-01-2003, 09:37 AM

What is the difference between DUI and DWI?

Anna

09-01-2003, 09:50 AM

I think being charged with a DUI or DWI depends on the amount of alcohol in one's blood. A DWI is more serious. The rules vary slightly from state to state because some states have a higher legal limit that others.

Rowena

09-01-2003, 03:17 PM

I agree that this doesn't mean he has a drinking problem, though I am disappointed to see that he has exercised very poor judgement.

skateflo

09-01-2003, 04:46 PM

I too live in the area and heard the tv news report. Remember this is a Holiday weekend and the police are out in major force and stopping speeders that they normally might let slip by. Secondly, the report did not say how much over the alchohol limit he was nor how it was obtained.

He could have been going 47 mph and 0.1 over the limit. I also know that this road in particular hardly anyone goes 40 mph. We don't know and I think until the facts are in that people should not make him out to have a raging problem. Yes, he is a celebrity and the media just love making news of this especially since he lives in the same area (and rink) as Baiul - makes for a good soundbite.

Locally I have heard nothing but positive reports of his behavior on and off the ice.

I too agree any drinking and driving deserves legal action and the court will determine his punishment. I just think his arrest should be kept in perspective along with the hundreds of others that are arrested this weekend. Surely you all know friends that just haven't been caught.....

sk8pics

09-01-2003, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by skateflo

He could have been going 47 mph and 0.1 over the limit.

Since the legal limit is 0.08 I trust you meant he could have been 0.01 over the limit. I only point this out because I think a lot of people don't realize how little alcohol can be a problem. He, or anyone at that limit or slightly over, could have had only a couple of beers. In fact, that happened to a friend of mine: two beers over a couple hours combined with a cold and not enough food led to an accident in the rain with serious injuries although fortunately no fatalities. She lost her licence for 2 years and was on probation.

Pat

butterfly

09-01-2003, 06:56 PM

From the article he was drunk and speeding. Make excuses for him all you want but it was an irresponsible action on his part. He is a phenomenal skater but that does not mean that we overlook a very stupid action on his part. To me it is just another example of a hero with much potential for influence throwing his opportunity away.

Mikey said there are dozens of these arrests every weekend, but my response is there shouldn't be dozens of these arrests whether it be celebrities or not. Yagudin is only important when he is skating! When he is drinking and driving he is like everyone else.

ceceB

09-02-2003, 12:08 AM

I don't think people are making excuses, just saying not to make judgements based on one article.

butterfly

09-02-2003, 06:09 AM

Originally posted by ceceB
I don't think people are making excuses, just saying not to make judgements based on one article. Maybe we shouldn't discuss it until Yagudin comes on and verifies the story :)

karina1974

09-02-2003, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by Anna
I think being charged with a DUI or DWI depends on the amount of alcohol in one's blood. A DWI is more serious. The rules vary slightly from state to state because some states have a higher legal limit that others.

I think soon all states will have to have a legal limit of no higher than 0.08. That was why New York FINALLY lowered its limit from 0.10 to 0.08 this year, because we were in danger of losing federal highway funds if the limit was not lowered by a certain time. Personally, I think it should be lowered even more, to say, 0.05.

karina1974

09-02-2003, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by milanessa
Where did you get that information, Karina? Your own linked reference says "operating under the influence of alcohol..." No news release I've seen says DWI.

gerry

Here's a quote from my "linked source":

"The Russian-born skating champ was spotted traveling faster than the 40 mph speed limit and was found to have a blood-alcohol level above the .08 legal limit, Avon police spokesman Ronald Welch said."

Anything over 0.08 is classified as DWI, NOT DUI. They are two separate charges.

Alexa

09-02-2003, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by mikey
The only reason this is news is because he is a celebrity. There are dozens of DUI arrests in each of our home towns every weekend. We need to be careful in assuming that he has a raging alcohol problem.

I am NOT saying the DUI is not a significant event. I am NOT saying that the courts should go easy on him. I am just asking that people keep the emotions, judgements, and rumors at a controlled minimum until the real facts come out.

I agree that because someone gets picked up for DUI, it does not necessarily mean they are an alcoholic. However, in terms of judgements, etc, "normal people" suffer similar judgements when it happens to them, so for a celebrity it should not be any different. When you are picked up for DUI, judgements come with the territory--no exception for Yagudin.

Being caught is often the first time reality hits drunk drivers and gives them a reason not to do it. The whole process of going to jail, court, and having it on their record is a big thing, and it teaches a big lesson that everyone should pay attention to. Because in reality, though the process is a pain, drinking and driving is the cause of many automobile accidents and the repercussions can be far more than just being caught.

butterfly

09-02-2003, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by Alexa
I agree that because someone gets picked up for DUI, it does not necessarily mean they are an alcoholic. However, in terms of judgements, etc, "normal people" suffer similar judgements when it happens to them, so for a celebrity it should not be any different. When you are picked up for DUI, judgements come with the territory--no exception for Yagudin.

Being caught is often the first time reality hits drunk drivers and gives them a reason not to do it. The whole process of going to jail, court, and having it on their record is a big thing, and it teaches a big lesson that everyone should pay attention to. Because in reality, though the process is a pain, drinking and driving is the cause of many automobile accidents and the repercussions can be far more than just being caught. I agree, you have said it best.

Greek Chic

09-02-2003, 06:38 PM

Well I really don't know what to say. Whether you are popular or not, there is no way you should be treated any differently. Drinking and driving is no excuse.

JessicaLynn

09-03-2003, 12:19 PM

Alexeiskate

09-03-2003, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Greek Chic
Well I really don't know what to say. Whether you are popular or not, there is no way you should be treated any differently. Drinking and driving is no excuse.

But celebrity and your average Joe aren't treated equally. If you're arrested for DUI, it's highly unlikely that your name and picture will appear in the newspaper and your mistake will be discussed on the internet.

Kemy

09-03-2003, 12:45 PM

there only difference between Alexei and regular joe schmo is the amount of people coming down on him for doing a stupid thing...otherwise, I'm pretty sure that people wuold be telling him the same thing...celebrity or not

Joe Schmo would have the grape vine to spread out the news of his DUI...Alexei has a larger grapevine

Keely

09-11-2003, 12:15 AM

I tried to look up Connecticut law and can't find a legal DUI/DWI/OUI difference... they're used interchangeably but each state tends to have a favourite term. Far as I can tell if you are over the limit it's the same offense, whether you call it Driving Under the Influence, Driving While Impaired, or Operating (a vehicle, I hope to God, not a scalpel) Under the Influence.

Not nitpicking... just curious if anyone can point me to a web page that explains the legal difference, if in fact there is one. I can't find it.

irene2020

09-15-2003, 07:15 PM

It doesn't how much over the limit, we shouldn't be over the limit - PERIOD. IN fact, we shouldn't drink and drive. Many many traffic accidents which cause lives are caused by drivers going too fast and/or not be alert enough. When you drive, you need to understand that you can cause danger to other people. It is a lot more than protecting a reputation or image.

As for having many people coming down on him:

a) When you (meaing anyone in genneral), are a celebrity, you have many people going paying big bucks to see you do certain things, to buy products you use - but the same advantage does not apply to joe hoe. You chose to be a celebrity, you need to live with the responsiblity.

b) the best way to avoid people coming down on you is stop being defensive. Admit that it is a serious offence and really try to learn from the experience and deal with any problems that may have caused the incident. I am sure a lot of people will be supportive. But when you are all defensive before someone even open his/her mouth and try to find excuse, there will only be 2 consequences - many people come down on you and you will make the same mistake again until one day, it's too late to change and you have to live with regrets or a guilty conscience for the rest of you life.

dmr65

09-16-2003, 05:20 AM

In my State, your face and name is so revealed if you are caught DUI or DWI.. Also, we have a unfortunate situation here with a guy who has been busted 25X.. Why they continued to let him off that many times, I dont' know.. We also had a situation where another person in their many times being caught and let go, did so hit someone..

Again, I am not down on Yags.. The comment about him being famous and the adv Joe.. Well, yes, if you are slight bit popular you will get your face plastered and name smeared in the media and the net.. But thank God he is not as famous as Tom Cruise, he's just popular in the skating realm...

Keely

09-16-2003, 06:03 PM

Well I haven't heard Yagudin complaining, actually... only other people. Fact is, if you're a celebrity, you get publicity, good and bad... everything you do gets more attention, good and bad. If your good days end up on the front page, great... can't whine when your bad days end up there too. I neither feel particularly sorry for Yagudin nor do I think he's somehow worse than anyone else charged with DUI.

JAAZZ

09-22-2003, 12:09 AM

What an idiot. He was my favorite skater. I have lost ALL respect for him. He could have killed somebody. What a bloody idiot.

JAAZZ

09-22-2003, 08:14 PM

Sorry for the double post.. As a member of MADD I just don't get it!!
What the heck is wrong with people. How many more people have to die at the hands of these stupid idiots.

danibellerika

09-22-2003, 08:32 PM

I agree that those situations turn out bad a lot of times, but the important thing is that Alexei was lucky enough to be stopped before anything happened. Harping and making a million posts about how stupid he was isn't going to make the fact that he did it go away. I can only hope that he uses this experience to reflect on how things could have been and hopefully doesn't let it happen again. That's the best thing that could come out of this situation.

Alexa

09-23-2003, 01:43 PM

I was at The Smoking Gun website today and saw it had Alexei's mugshot on there.... http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/yagudinmug1.html

duane

09-24-2003, 11:08 AM

I am simply amazed at some of the comments here.

So, this doesn't mean he has a drinking problem? I beg to differ, considering his past problems with alcohol.

So, if he weren't a celebrity, this would not be news? Wow, that's unique, isn't it!:roll:

So, he may have been simply .01 over the limit? That still is over the limit, isn't it? Should the rules now be changed so that if you are only a few points over the limit, it's ok?

Sorry, but it sounds to me that people are making excuses for Yagudin--a very popular, beloved skater. Of course, if it were Tonya Harding charged with DUI, I doubt many of you would be so sympathetic.