What kind of people do you think get DUIs? Irresponsible people? Those who have alcohol problems? People who are selfish and do not think of others?

Certainly, people like that get DUIs, but so do people from every walk of life. That includes teachers, police officers, celebrities and, as a recent case involving San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith shows, professional athletes. His case should provide readers in Winston -Salem with proof that DUIs aren't restricted to one type of person.

Smith was recently arrested in Miami and was charged with drunk driving. We do not know all the details of Smith's arrest, since police have released only the bare-bones facts, but so far, it is known that Smith arrested early the morning of Saturday, January 28 by police in Miami Beach and that he was taken to jail and held on $1,000 bond.

It is unfortunate that Smith's career is now somewhat tarnished, because he was largely to thank for the San Francisco 49ers late-season success (the 49ers came very close to a Super Bowl appearance, but ultimately lost to the New York Giants).

Hopefully, Smith's case shows you that people of all stripes can make a mistake when it comes to mixing alcohol and driving. Average citizens do not have breathalyzers like police do, so it is hard to know exactly when you have crossed the line and are no longer legally allowed to drive. If you ever fall under suspicion for driving while you are intoxicated, you may want to speak to a criminal defense attorney about the matter. In some cases, criminal defense attorneys can help make the best of a bad situation.

Source: USA Today, "49ers' Aldon Smtih faces DUI charge in Florida," Jan. 28, 2011