Tampa Bay Lightning’s Ryan Malone Charged with DUI, Cocaine Possession

Tampa Bay, FL- Ryan Malone, forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning was arrested early Saturday morning for driving under the influence and cocaine possession.

Malone was pulled over by Tampa police around 3:15 a.m. Saturday after he attempted to make a left turn onto Platt Street from the center lane off of South Armenian Lane. After making the turn, Malone who was driving a Chevy Suburban, slammed into a curb, USA Today reported.

Police determined Malone was intoxicated and placed him under arrest for driving under the influence. During the arrest police discovered he had a small bag in his back right pocket which contained 1.3 grams of cocaine.

Malone initially refused to submit to field sobriety tests, but, according to USA Today, he later consented to breath tests. Two separate breath tests showed his blood alcohol content was .116 and .112, well over Florida’s .08 legal limit.

Malone was charged with DUI and cocaine possession. He was released early Sunday after posting a $2,500 bond.

“We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning,” Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement released by the team. “Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time.”

“Under the terms of the collectively bargained joint NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, Mr. Malone is subject to mandatory evaluation and, if deemed necessary by the Program Doctors, treatment pursuant to the terms of that Program. His future playing status, both in the near term and during the Playoffs, will be determined in accordance the terms of our SABH Program,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly in a statement, according to Sports Illustrated.

For the DUI charge, Malone could avoid jail, but there is the chance he could lose his license. A DUI conviction won’t likely affect his status with the NHL.

If Malone is convicted of a cocaine possession, he could face up to five years in jail.

The DUI, while not good, is the least of Malone’s worries. With legal counsel, a person charged with DUI can explore the options they have to negate the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A DUI attorney knows who to build an effective defense that can help most offenders avoid jail or conviction. When necessary, a DUI attorney can negotiate for a lesser charge or a plea bargain to help their client avoid a tough sentencing.

Anyone charged with a DUI needs sound legal advice, even though jail is unavoidable, the offender will have a criminal record which can have an effect on their education and their job.

A DUI conviction is also costly. The fines and penalties can cost the offender thousands, if they have to attend alcohol assessment courses or are required to install an ignition interlock device in their car those costs come out of their pockets. In the long run a DUI can cost several thousand dollars so it’s worth in the long run to enlist the services of a DUI attorney to fight a DUI.