Last week, former All-Star pitcher Dwight Gooden was arrested in New Jersey for driving under the influence of drugs, DUI with a child passenger, leaving the scene of an accident, and endangering the welfare of a child. This weekend, Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter was arrested in California for DUI and resisting arrest. As we have seen time and time again in the news stories of actors and athletes going to jail, the rich and famous are subject to the same motor vehicle laws as the rest of us. What sometimes does seem noteworthy is how spectacularly these people fail to abide by the rules. For example, Joey Porter refused to provide his driver’s license to police, and tried rolling up his window when asked to get out of his car. Porter also reportedly slapped the officer’s hand when the officer attempted to open the car door. Doc Gooden was arrested at 8:50 in the morning, after rear-ending another vehicle and leaving the accident scene with his five-year-old son in the car.

Although in Massachusetts, the police may not compel a defendant to submit to field sobriety tests, there is a big difference between politely declining to take tests and slapping an officer’s hand away. Regardless of the jurisdiction, failure to act courteously to other drivers and the police will only increase the likelihood of additional charges and a more difficult case to try.