Marshawn Lynch Playing for Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch Avoids Conviction Industry

Former NFL Player Avoids Las Vegas DUI Conviction

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 04 March 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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It has been revealed that the former professional football running back, Marshawn Lynch, has dodged a DUI conviction and potential jail time after striking a deal with attorneys in a Las Vegas court. This comes after a judge approved the arrangement without Lynch having to enter a plea.

The deal stipulates that Lynch, aged 37, must participate in a traffic class and pay a fine of $1,140. In addition, he must complete 200 hours of community service, attend a victim impact panel, and undergo an alcohol evaluation, as well as stay out of legal trouble for twelve months.

If the former football pro and one-time Super Bowl winner fulfills these conditions, his initial DUI charge will be reduced to reckless driving. Also, under the agreement, prosecutors have dropped charges of failure to drive in a travel lane and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Deal Comes Before Criminal Trial

It was reported that the deal was struck shortly before the start of a criminal trial in the case. Lynch is scheduled to appear in a Las Vegas courtroom again in May, according to reports.

Las Vegas-based criminal defense attorneys, Richard Schonfeld and David Chesnoff, who represented Lynch, said:

Mr. Lynch has not been convicted of any offense at his time. He has agreed to complete certain requirements which will result in this case being closed as a reckless driving traffic offense.

The charges stem from an incident on August 9, 2022, when Lynch’s vehicle was damaged near the Las Vegas Strip. Following the crash, Lynch registered a blood alcohol level of .18 percent, which is more than twice the state’s legal limit of .08 percent, according to ProFootballTalk’s Michael David Smith. The blood test was carried out after Lynch refused to undergo a breathalyzer test when approached by officers.

Lynch’s legal team refuted claims that he was driving while intoxicated. They stated that Lynch was asleep in the driver’s seat of a 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, which was parked in downtown Las Vegas at the time of the officers’ arrival.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reportedly forced Lynch to the ground and instructed him to roll over upon apprehending him.

Previous Incidents Involving Driving Offenses

According to reports, this 2022 arrest is not Lynch’s first encounter with the law. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run after colliding with a woman. Also, in 2012, a DUI charge was reduced to reckless driving, to which Lynch pleaded guilty.

This is yet another incident where the former sports star has found himself on the wrong side of the law in relation to driving offenses. If he adheres to the conditions put forward as part of the deal, he will avoid being convicted of DUI and the risk of being sent to jail over the incident.

Lynch enjoyed a successful career with three NFL teams before retiring in 2019. These teams were the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders. He also played college football at the University of California, where he earned All-American honors.