Pistons Ben Wallace Arrested on Drunk Driving, Weapons Charges
Detroit Piston center Ben Wallace was arrested last weekend in Michigan for drunk driving and carrying a concealed weapon.
Wallace, famous for his role in the 2004 Pacers-Pistons "Basketbrawl" fight, was arraigned on Saturday.
And guess who's presiding over Wallace's case? Judge Kimberly Small, the same judge who sentenced former NBA player Jalen Rose to 20 days in jail over a drunken driving charge in July. That sentence was view as particularly harsh. Could Wallace face a similar fate?
It appears that Judge Small has a penchant for sending first-time drunken driving offenders to jail. She often cites national statistics on drunk driving and stresses the serious (and deadly) consequences of driving under the influence, The Detroit News reports.
One can only wonder how Wallace's trial and sentencing will go, especially considering the evidence against him.
First, Wallace's breathalyzer test indicated that the NBA player had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 percent, reports USA Today. The legal limit in Michigan is 0.08 percent.
Second, a search of Wallace's car revealed an unloaded handgun that he didn't have a permit for.
It's anyone's guess how Judge Small will handle Wallace's case. He hasn't plead guilty or been found guilty yet, so it's all up in the air.
But given Judge Small's history, it's likely that Wallace could face at least some jail time for the DUI charge. The maximum penalty in Michigan for driving under the influence for first-time offenders is 93 days in jail. The typical sentence is a day in jail with court-ordered probation and community service.
Plus, Ben Wallace was arrested on dual charges including possession of a weapon. Even if he gets off lightly on the DUI charge, he'll still face a weapons charge. So far, neither Wallace nor the Detroit Pistons have commented on his arrest.
Related Resources:
- Ben Wallace faces two charges (ESPN)
- Michigan OWI Laws (FindLaw)
- Jalen Rose's DUI: 20 Days in Jail for Ex-NBA Star (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- NBA Star Jayson Williams also Faces DWI Charge (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)