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Home » Turner Law Offices Blog » Spongebob Star Rodger Bumpass Faces DUI

Spongebob Star Rodger Bumpass Faces DUI

beer_bgRodger Bumpass, the voice of “Squidward Tentacles” from the Nickelodeon animated television show “SpongeBob SquarePants,” was arrested for driving under the influence in Burbank, Calif. Friday evening. A breathalyzer test revealed Bumpass’ blood alcohol concentration level was more than double the legal limit. He was sent to jail late Friday evening and was out the next morning on a $15,000 bail. However, there appears to be a controversy in how the arrest went down.

Oh, Squidward!

Police say they spotted an intoxicated Bumpass leaning against his Chrysler PT Cruiser. (Wow, I guess being the voice of a childhood icon does not pay as much as I thought. By the way, he actually has a “Squidward” bumper sticker on his car.) Anyway, when cops approached Bumpass, he attempted to walk away but stumbled as if he was drunk or impaired. Police put Bumpass through the Standardized Field Sobriety Test, which he failed.

But Bumpass claims the police lied about how the situation went down. Bumpass admitted to drinking at a local bar and drove home. He claims cops were following him and, eventually, pulled him over. When police asked if he had been drinking, he admitted to it and failed the field sobriety test. In the original police report, there is no mention of Bumpass actually ever being behind the wheel. So by Bumpass admitting to being behind the wheel, he now loses any defense he previously had of getting out of the DUI charge.

DUI in Tennessee

In Tennessee, driving under the influence is a misdemeanor. It is illegal to be behind the wheel of a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08%. However, if you are under 21 years old, the maximum allowable BAC is 0.02%. If you are pulled over by an officer and are under suspicion of being under the influence, he will ask you to perform a Standardized Field Sobriety Test. which includes a horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk and turn and one-leg stand, followed up by a breathalyzer or blood test. Failing these tests result in immediate arrest, jailing and being charged with a DUI.

Hire a Nashville DUI Attorney

Tennessee DUI laws are complicated, so it is important to hire a helpful and intelligent attorney to assist you through the process. Do not do what Bumpass did; contact an attorney to build a defense before admitting guilt. At Turner Law Offices, P.C., we have over 20 years of experience in dealing with DUI cases. We know all the factors that can affect your BAC. Call our office or request an appointment online to speak with one of our experienced DUI attorneys today.

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