Vincent Jackson, a star wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers, plead guilty to a 2009 DUI charge on February 22, 2010. He is currently on probation for a DUI conviction from 2006. In addition to a $2,400 fine and community service, he received a four-day jail sentence and five years probation. This is Jackson’s 2nd DUI conviction.
Jackson is also facing legal action for driving on a suspended license and having an expired registration. On March 2, several hours before the Chargers playoff loss to the New York Jets, Jackson was pulled over for playing music too loud and was briefly handcuffed. He had an arraignment on March 2, 2010 for the suspended license charge.
Jackson is extremely lucky that his second drunk driving arrest was not for a Seattle DUI charge because the mandatory minimum consequences would have been much more significant. Washington’s drunk driving laws are much harsher than those in California, especially for a second offense within three years of the first incident.
If Jackson had been facing a second Washington DUI arrest and conviction within a seven-year period, he could have been looking at a mandatory minimum of 45 days in jail. A second WA State DUI arrest also carries a mandatory multi-year license revocation.
Jackson is expected to be a free agent this year and is now subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He is facing a minimum one game suspension by the league. In 2009, Jackson had his best season as a pro with 68 catches for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns. The Chargers have not commented on his legal situations. It is unknown how is Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants charges will affect his free agent value.