As a Houston DWI Attorney, I've seen time and time again that anyone can make a very stupid mistake. Current case in point: Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
As most everyone in the media has been quick to point out, Ratliff’s arrest came just a month after his teammate and fellow nose tackle Josh Brent was charged with intoxication manslaughter in the death of another teammate, Jerry Brown Jr. You’d think Ratliff would have learned from that very unfortunate incident which no doubt hit very close to home.
But the truth is, this kind of thing happens all the time. A friend or family member is arrested for a DWI, or dies in an alcohol-related accident. Everyone close to this person swears never, ever to drink and drive again. A few weeks later, that promise is broken. Why?
Usually it is because there was no backup plan in place. We all know our judgment isn’t the best when we’re drinking. So the best way to avoid making stupid decisions is to make them before you start drinking. If you’re planning to drink at all, then have an alternative mode of transportation already planned before you walk out the door.
Now, instead of relaxing at home and having fun in the off season, Ratliff is facing DWI charges. This could have easily been avoided. Surely Jay Ratliff could afford a cab. Heck, he could have taken a limo out for the entire night without making a noticeable dent his bank account. Either way, it’s going to cost him a lot more to deal with this DWI than it would have to pay someone to drive him home. In fact, that’s true for anyone.
More importantly, that bad decision could have cost him his own life or someone else’s, as happened to his teammates just a month before. But no matter how stupid his actions seem in retrospect, the fact is people have poor judgment when they drink. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead, either by designating a driver or arranging for a cab or other way home. Drinking and driving is just not worth the risk.
The Martinez Law Firm
3730 Kirby Dr #909,
Houston, TX 77098
Phone:(713) 489-9773
