Tampa DUI Defense Lawyers Whittel & Melton :: Bond Reduction Filed for Rays’ Pitcher Matt Bush Accused of DUI Hit-and-Run

April 16, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Bush is currently being held in Charlotte County Jail on $1.015 million bond facing seven charges following his arrest on March 22 when police claim he hit the motorcycle of a 72-year-old man and fled the scene.

Due to the extremely high amount of bail set for the baseball player, his attorney has filed a motion for a bond reduction hearing, currently set for April 23 in Punta Gorda.

The motorcyclist Bush allegedly hit suffered serious injuries and was in the intensive care unit of Lee Memorial Hospital for a couple weeks. He was released from the hospital last week.

Police claim Bush was involved in three hit-and-run accidents on March 22, including hitting a light pole in Sarasota. Bush is accused of driving a teammate’s 2011 Dodge Durango when he hit the motorcyclist and drove away.

After police caught up with the man, it was apparently found his driver’s license was suspended. Police claim he had a blood alcohol level of .180, more than double the legal limit.

The Rays have apparently placed Bush on the restricted list, and his attorney claims it is unlikely he will receive a paycheck this year.

When a person is charged with a crime, such as DUI Hit-And-Run or DUI Serious Bodily Injury, there is a bond hearing where a judge handling procedural duties will set the amount of bond for a person. This is the amount of money a person charged with a crime must pay to the court in order to await a trial out of jail. Should your bond be set at a number that you cannot pay and you meet the requirements for a bond reduction, a bond reduction hearing can be scheduled.

The original bond hearing only allows for the police and prosecutors to tell their view of what happened, and a bond reduction hearing can give the accused a chance to share their version of events. The end goal is to have the amount of bond reduced to a reasonable level that allows the accused to be released from jail while awaiting trial.

No matter what has occurred and what the causes are, if you are accused of DUI you have the right to responsible legal counsel. The Florida DUI Defense Lawyers recognize the anxiety you may be facing due to your situation and can help during this difficult time. Often, a DUI Lawyer can compel a judge to reduce a high bond amount so that you can be released on your own recognizance. At Whittel & Melton, we can gather appropriate evidence that supports the unlikelihood of you fleeing the state. We can answer your questions and discuss the options available to you so that you can begin to turn this bad situation around. As trial attorneys, we can take the time to fully learn about you and your case so that we can boldly present your case to the court.

If you have been charged with DUI and need to obtain a bond reduction hearing, contact the Florida DUI Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton online or dial our Tampa office at 813-221-3200 or reach us statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).