For the second time in a month, a member of the Minnesota Vikings has been arrested on suspicion of DWI.
Linebacker Erin Henderson was arrested in Eden Prairie on Nov. 19, but news of his arrest was only confirmed by the team and by local police on Nov. 19, CBS Sports reported.
His arrest came 10 days after his teammate Jerome Simpson was arrested for allegedly driving drunk in downtown Minneapolis. Additionally, former cornerback A.J. Jefferson was arrested Nov. 25 and charged with felony domestic assault; he was discharged from the team hours after his arrest. That makes three Minnesota Vikings who have been arrested in less than a month.
Henderson’s attorney has said that Henderson was not given field sobriety tests after he was arrested, so police lacked probable cause to arrest him. Henderson has yet to be formally charged with a crime.
As a Minneapolis DWI lawyer, I am familiar with claims like the one Henderson is making. Twin Cities residents often mistakenly assume that once they are arrested on suspicion of DWI, their conviction is a done deal.
Far from it.
Law enforcement officers have well-established guidelines they must follow when pulling over and arresting someone on suspicion of DWI. When they do not, the allegation of DWI can be attacked. Such measures are not always successful, because it depends on the facts and circumstances of each individual case, but I want to make clear that those accused of DWI have options.
If you want to speak to a Minneapolis criminal defense attorney, please know that you can contact me at a time that is convenient for you.