Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was charged Wednesday with driving under the influence by the district attorney’s office in Alameda County, Calif.
Teresa Drenick, director of communications for the Alameda County DA, said in an email that the decision was made to charge the Seahawks’ star running back. Lynch has a court date on Aug. 14.
But Lynch’s attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press later Wednesday that he feels the case could get thrown out or reduced because of discrepancies in blood-alcohol tests.
In a phone interview, Golde said that Lynch was at .08, which is the California legal limit, during a preliminary alcohol screening when Lynch was pulled over in Emeryville, Calif., on Saturday. Golde said when Lynch was retested at the jail, he blew above a .08.
“We think we have a really strong case,” Golde said.
Lynch was seen weaving on Interstate 880 in the Oakland, Calif., area on Saturday morning, leading to his arrest for investigation of DUI. An incident report released by the California Highway Patrol described Lynch driving a Ford Econoline van and having two near collisions with two other vehicles driving in adjacent lanes.
This is Lynch’s first off-field problem since coming over to Seattle from Buffalo during the 2010 season. Lynch’s career stalled with the Bills and was highlighted by two off-field brushes with the law, one of which resulted in a three-game suspension.
He pleaded guilty in March 2009 to a misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years’ probation, and was suspended three games by the league for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.
The league is aware of Lynch’s latest legal trouble, but it’s unclear whether his past transgressions could get lumped together with his current DUI arrest and lead to yet another suspension.
Lynch signed a four-year contract in March that will keep him in a Seattle uniform for the prime of his NFL career. The contract is worth $31 million, including a guaranteed $18 million. Lynch rushed for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.