Justin Bieber leaves Florida jail after drunk driving arrest
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Pop singer Justin Bieber waves to fans as he leaves a jail after being released on bail in Miami, Florida in this still image taken from video January 23, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
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The 19-year-old Canadian initially resisted arrest, cursed at police officers and later told them he had consumed alcohol, pot and prescription drugs, police said. Then, changing his demeanor, he grew cooperative and even smiled for his mug shot, coiffed hair perfectly in place.
Dressed in a red prison suit, a silent Bieber heard the charges via video link: driving under the influence, resisting arrest without violence and driving on an expired Georgia license.
A judge set bail at $2,500 and released the "Boyfriend" singer. If convicted, Bieber could face jail time of up to six months, although experts say he will likely get off with a lighter sentence for his first offense.
Bieber's arrest is his most serious run-in with the law during a year in which his problems have ranged from allegations of speeding through his gated community near Los Angeles to a felony investigation into whether he pelted a neighbor's house with eggs.
His once meteoric career has also showed signs of distress. A year ago, he became the youngest artist with five No. 1 albums, but in March he collapsed on a London stage and in December hinted he might be ready to retire after releasing a compilation album and a film about his life.
Just after 4 a.m. EST on Thursday, officers observed Bieber's yellow Lamborghini alongside another driver in a red Ferrari accelerate from a stop position on a four-lane road in a residential area just a few blocks from the South Beach tourist district, Miami Beach Police Chief Raymond Martinez said.
Two SUVs had blocked off the road so the singer could race a friend who was driving the rented Ferrari, police said.
Bieber was driving the sports car 55 to 60 miles per hour (88 to 96 km per hour) in a 30-mile-per-hour zone, Miami Beach police spokeswoman Vivian Hernandez said.
