NFL Player Arrested on DUI Charges in Arlington County

On the morning of April 26, 2012, Washington Redskins strong safety Brandon Meriweather was arrested for a DUI in Arlington County. According to an Arlington County police officer, Meriweather was spotted speeding – traveling 73 mph in a 55-mph zone – around 3 a.m. in the westbound lanes of Interstate 66, near North Ohio Street.

Due to this speeding violation, a police officer pulled a Lincoln MKZ over. The Arlington officer indicated that he detected the smell of alcohol on the driver and asked Meriweather to take a breathalyzer; however, Meriweather allegedly refused to take the breathalyzer and also failed field sobriety tests at the scene.

Police arrested Meriweather on drunk driving charges in Arlington County, just one month after his new, two-year $6 million contract agreement with the Redskins.

This was Meriweather’s first DWI offense. Following his arrest, Meriweather pleaded no-contest to an amended charge of reckless driving on July 10, 2012 in Arlington County General Court. At this court hearing, he was sentenced to a 180-day suspended jail sentence, fined $300 and $81 in court fees.  He will also be on probation. If he violates his probation, he will have to serve a six-month jail sentence.

DUI in Arlington County

Although Meriweather was found guilty, prosecutors also entered a nolle prosequi for refusing to submit to a breath or blood test. This separate civil charge is not currently being pursued, but the prosecution reserves the right to re-file at a later date because refusing to take a breath test is a crime under Virginia’s implied consent law.