No DUI Charge for Shia LaBeouf in Accident

[Pikarya]

By Ken Lee

Originally posted Thursday September 25, 2008 07:20 PM EDT
Shia LaBeouf in L.A. Sept. 16

http://imgshack.info/images/ypigzqchmm2bytlly2.jpg
Photo by: Jason Merritt / FilmMagic; inset Splash News Online

Shia LaBeouf won't face DUI charges for the July 27 car accident that crushed his hand, the L.A. County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

"After reviewing the case, we've declined to file any charges due to insufficient evidence," says DA spokeswoman Jane Robison.

Following the crash, the 22-year-old Transformers star was cited with misdemeanor DUI while he was still at the hospital.

Prosecutors instead plan to file criminal charges against the other driver, who was found to have run a red light, Robison says.

"We're very happy with the prosecutor's decision, and we're glad this whole thing resolved without Shia having to go to court," LaBeouf's attorney Michael Norris tells PEOPLE

Although the DA rejected the case, LaBeouf still faces a DMV hearing Friday and the possible suspension of his driver's license, L.A. County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore tells PEOPLE.

"When an individual refuses to take a blood alcohol test, that person's license is automatically suspended for six to nine months," says Whitmore.

At the Sept. 16 premiere of his new movie Eagle Eye, LaBeouf's hand was in a white protective guard and he kept it in his pocket most of the night.

"I'm just propped up right now to do Transformers 2," LaBeouf told PEOPLE. "Then, when I get another surgery, I'll start recovering. Right now, I'm getting through."

I wish I was a celeb.

[Makwa]

I just really don't like Shia.
This doesn't help.

[Omnipotent]

Hes the fucking man.

[Koyuki]

Oh thank God, He didn't get a DUI. My life is complete now knowing that Shia will not get a DUI!

[wintersquall]

and this, folks, is why you don't submit to breathalyzers.

[Alleya]

I wonder if these trailers for Eagle Eye could make it any more obvious that the mysterious chick on the phone is a computer?

[Titanss]

"We planned your escape"

[Azalee]

I have liked Shia since he was doing Even Stevens... But he makes some stupid mistakes. ._.

[Yuri-G]

I wonder if these trailers for Eagle Eye could make it any more obvious that the mysterious chick on the phone is a computer?

OH MY GOD YOU TOTALLY RUINED THE MOVIE FOR ME GAWD

[Katlan]

Oh thank God, He didn't get a DUI. My life is complete now knowing that Shia will not get a DUI!

This... I have been missing sleep for weeks over it!
But seriously now, who actually thought he was gonna get a DUI?

[Groovebox]

You don't have to be a celeb, I personally know 2 dirtbags who got out of DUI charges... both involved crashing into houses too >.>

[Huggo]

I had a friend who showed up for his court date for his DUI, but the cop that busted him didn't. So he got off free. Or at least that's just what he told me had happened. Hmmm.

[OzzofAsura]

I think he's a good actor.. I hope he learns his lesson after this. Would be a really stupid reason to send his career and reputation down the tubes.

[miokomioko]

The DUI is a lie.

http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/images/smilies/cake.jpg

[Binkie]

Well he didn't cause the accident, the other driver ran a red light and crashed into him.

[Killerme]

Well he didn't cause the accident, the other driver ran a red light and crashed into him.

Since he didn't cause the accident, I think it's best they just dropped the DUI charge.

[Melchiah]

DUI statutes differ from state to state, and some of them can be fairly ridiculous. In Alabama, they can technically charge you with a DUI if you leave the bar after 2 beers, if those two beers bring your BAC to .08% since the law is based on body chemistry and not actual impairment.

The city of Trussville used to sit cop cars right outside the parking lot of a little bar called On Tap that was right off the Interstate exit and pull over half the people leaving the joint on weekends. No telling how many bullshit DUI charges were made before it finally closed up.

[lysol]

Maybe he will learn his lesson since he did get lucky but on the other hand if the other person ran the redlight was kinda unlucky to begin with.

Don't think if he got the dui it would have been that bad just gotta learn to get a DD I know I've had my share of buzzed drive homes that would have gotten me a dui had I done something stupid or gotten hit.

[Brill Weave]

I had a friend who showed up for his court date for his DUI, but the cop that busted him didn't. So he got off free. Or at least that's just what he told me had happened. Hmmm.

Almost every single judge in the country will through out whatever charges are against you if the arresting officer doesn't show up for the hearing. I got out of a ticket that way like ten years ago, so it's not a recent development either.

[archibaldcrane]

DUI statutes differ from state to state, and some of them can be fairly ridiculous. In Alabama, they can technically charge you with a DUI if you leave the bar after 2 beers, if those two beers bring your BAC to .08% since the law is based on body chemistry and not actual impairment.

I'm pretty sure that since they tied federal highway funding to BAC for DUI arrests, every state conformed to the federal .08% standard.

The police "must have visual evidence" that you are impaired by alcohol, hence the field sobriety test, and in theory if you "pass" that test they cannot ask you to take a breathalyzer. Of course they can just say whatever the fuck they want on the scene about your performance on the field sobriety test and you're going to have to take the breathalyzer anyway.

and this, folks, is why you don't submit to breathalyzers.

Um...

"When an individual refuses to take a blood alcohol test, that person's license is automatically suspended for six to nine months," says Whitmore.