Rey Maualuga, a rookie linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, plead guilty today to a DUI charge resulting from an incident in Kentucky.  Maualuga was charged in late January, after he was responsible for an accident involving a parking meter and two parked cars.  As a consequence to his guilty plea, Maualuga received a suspended 7-day jail sentence, was fined $884, and was placed on probation for 2-years.

In addition, his driver’s license was suspended for 90 days, and he was ordered to participate in a drug and alcohol education program.  Maualuga had also been charged with careless driving.  The careless driving charge was dropped as part of his plea negotiations.  If you are convicted of a Washington DUI charge, you will be sentenced to mandatory jail and face a mandatory suspension of your WA State driving privileges.  These WA DUI sentencing conditions cannot be suspended or waived.

At the courthouse, Maualuga made the following statement to the press:

He expressed contrition “for bringing such great humiliation and embarrassment to the team…  I will learn from this and become a better person and a better man from all this. And I assure you that this will never happen again.”

Although the criminal aspects of his case will be resolved, if he completes all of his court-ordered requirements, Maualuga will be responsible for the property damage that his accident caused.  The exact cost has yet to be determined.  DUI charges involving an accident are complicated.  If you or a loved one is arrested for drunk driving here in WA State, it’s important to speak with a Washington DUI attorney as soon as possible, especially if an accident is involved.