Rafael Furcal Arrested on DUI Charge
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James Joyner | Friday, September 10, 2004 |
Furcal arrested on DUI charge (USA Today/AP) [ESPN version]
Atlanta Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal was arrested early Friday on charges of driving under the influence, according to police. After being arrested on Interstate 85, Furcal was booked into the Atlanta city jail at 6:25 a.m., authorities said. He was charged with DUI, speeding and reckless driving. Furcal had his first court appearance where a judge set his bond at $3,200. Furcal apparently visited a couple nightclubs after Thursday’s loss to Philadelphia, WAGA-TV reported.
His next court appearance is set for Oct. 14 in Atlanta Municipal Court. It was not immediately clear if he took a blood-alcohol test. It is the player’s second DUI arrest. Cobb County officials told the jail on Friday that he also has violated the terms of his probation from a June 2000 drunken driving conviction, said Department of Corrections spokeswoman Gayle Middlebrook. Furcal’s 12-month probation sentence would have expired Oct. 29, said Cobb County Solicitor General Barry Morgan. Furcal was previously sentenced to a year on probation, a $500 fine and 40 hours of community service. His court appeals on the June 2000 arrest delayed the start of his probation until last year, Morgan said.
In the 2000 case, Furcal registered a blood alcohol level of 0.11, above the legal Georgia limit of 0.08. In 2002, the Georgia Supreme Court turned down a challenge arguing that police officers must translate drunk driving charges for non-English-speaking drivers.
The Braves have surprised everyone by running away with the division–again–in what most thought would be a rebuilding year. They don’t need this distraction. And, really, if he was going to drink and drive, couldn’t he have waited another month?
Update (1511): Mac Thomason adds, “Damn it, Rafael, why can’t you be more like Andruw and just hang out with strippers?”
Quite right. These kids today have no respect for tradition.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
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I'm afraid things are falling apart at the end of the season right now anyway. Hopefully they will get back on track before the playoffs.
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