Taurasi pleads guilty to DUI, serves day in jail

Oct 29, 7:19 pm EDT

PHOENIX (AP)—Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi pleaded guilty to a drunken-driving charge stemming from her July arrest.

Taurasi, an all-star guard on the WNBA champions, spent a day in jail after a judge suspended nine days of her sentence.

Taurasi’s blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent when she was pulled over on July 2 following a 93-81 victory over the Seattle Storm. That’s more than twice Arizona’s legal limit of 0.08 percent.

A police officer who stopped Taurasi’s vehicle after seeing it drift outside a traffic lane near downtown Phoenix claims she was driving nearly 20 mph over the 35 mph limit.

While Taurasi pleaded guilty to DUI on Oct. 12, charges of extreme DUI and speeding were dropped.

Updated Oct 29, 7:19 pm EDT
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35 Comments

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  1. Sean K
    35. Posted by Sean K Mon Nov 16 10:58am EST

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    If that is her first offense and she pled guilty to a lesser charge of DUI (not extreme dui), then she got the standard sentence in Arizona. The minimum is 10 days in jail of which 9 days can be waived. She also has to attend traffic survival school and will get a ignition interlock device on her car for 1 year, plus several thousand in fines. Actually glad to see that a celebirty was treated like everyone else as that gives me hope that celebrities won't get a break when to commit felonies and other misdemeanors.
  2. JIMMY
    34. Posted by JIMMY Sat Nov 14 1:45am EST

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    hey were all humans and wereproned for mistakes,just because theyre athletes does not mean there god.we all have a tolerance and when we reach that level watch out.terasi is a responsible person she made a mistake paid for it move on.more basketball to come,new year freash start,its all good.
  3. Patty
    33. Posted by Patty Fri Nov 13 4:45pm EST

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    Can I just say as a first time offender,ONE TIME is enough lesson learned.
  4. slaw dawg
    32. Posted by slaw dawg Thu Nov 12 1:49am EST

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    #25 is an idiot and absolutely wrong: most DUI arrests do not get cited at the scene and released. The vast majority are arrested, taken back to the station, breathalyzer, booked at station and transported to local jail where they bail out in morning with a summons to appear in court. copper is an idiot and doesnt have the facts straight at all. But what do I know, I only have over 250 DUI arrests in the last 4 years. BTW, Taurasi is an idiot for drinking and driving. Get a cab or limo. And for those of you who say give her a break: you would be saying that if if was YOUR loved one killed by a DUI driver and have seen the carnage I have. Believe me, you would be calling for the drunk's head, and rightfully so.
  5. Sue
    31. Posted by Sue Tue Nov 10 7:43pm EST

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    she,s human give her a break.. i suppose all you people comment have never had a drink.. dt;s the best, i followed her at u conn, greatest player ever to play and still is, god bless
  6. Sue
    30. Posted by Sue Tue Nov 10 7:43pm EST

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    she,s human give her a break.. i suppose all you people comment have never had a drink.. dt;s the best, i followed her at u conn, greatest player ever to play and still is, god bless
  7. Chris
    29. Posted by Chris Sun Nov 8 2:11pm EST

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    She got a slap on the wrist from the judge and WNBA. I have more respect for the Detroit player who 'fessed up right away and apologized to the team and her fans. She did this immediately and I believe she got a 5 game suspension. Taurasi may be a good ballplayer, but she is nothing but a joke as a person. So is the WNBA for closing their eyes. It's all in the name.
    The laws in Arizona for DUI sure are flimsy. You get to walk away after blowing the legal limit. WOW. Here in NY you fail the field breathalyser you are immediately arrested, hauled off to jail, and your car is impounded.
  8. Luis
    28. Posted by Luis Sat Nov 7 3:04am EST

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    Diana Taurasi has never made my spitting cobra spread its hood.
  9. Joseph
    27. Posted by Joseph Thu Nov 5 11:18am EST

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    shut up joseph! nobody cares about you and your liquidy, slimy, and stinky bowel movements!
  10. Joseph
    26. Posted by Joseph Thu Nov 5 11:14am EST

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    Yeah. I agree with tappjimmy. I like juice and if I get diarrhea from apple juice, that is ok!!
  11. copper
    25. Posted by copper Wed Nov 4 9:06pm EST

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    Ok folks, a few facts for all of you. DUI is a misdemeanor offense. Most people arrested for DUI are cited and released at the scene, not booked into jail. Most first time DUI offenders are pled out to simple DUI, even if extreme DUI is involved. Most DUI cases that go to trial take 12 - 18 months before they have an actual trial. Most first time DUI's are given a suspended license for 3 months with a restricted license option granted, (go to work, run errands, go to church, go to school), not the 12 months suspended that most hear about. She didnt get any preferential treatment, go check the facts at your local court house.
  12. jane f
    24. Posted by jane f Mon Nov 2 9:43pm EST

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    We are still waiting to see the mugshot. the BAC was kinda high so her eyes should be glazed and confused. the male ballers mugshots get plastered right away. why not this princess? Popeye Jones' picture is available to see. Barkely's picture was out there immediately, even in the same town. Why no photo? She still is losing her license right?
  13. truth
    23. Posted by truth Sun Nov 1 9:09pm EST

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    She served her time. The judge suspended 9 days. How many male ballers are given shorter terms for errors? Could Diana have killed someone....yes. Did she no!!!! Many of you stop playing judge jury and God.
  14. JNote
    22. Posted by JNote Sun Nov 1 12:27pm EST

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    There's nothing like enjoying a little "golden nectar" after a win, but I hope the next time Diana does, she'll be smart enough to have one of her buddies drive her home.

    Put this in your playbook, babe: Whe you get "boozed up", think DESIGNATED DRIVER.
  15. <i>ctownicon</i>
    21. Posted by ctownicon Sat Oct 31 11:19pm EDT

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    They should have put her under the jail! She has not learned a thing! She probably turning one up as I type! She could have killed someone and this slap on the wrist is ridiculous. What kind of court system is out there in Phoenix? I guess in Phoenix everybody should be able to ride around drunk and get a slap on the wrist. Is that the message the Phoenix law system is sending? Wow, Dirty Diana you are one disturbed individual. Everybody who has lifelock should cancel until they remove the face of a drunk driver from promoting it.
  16. Freddie Kool
    20. Posted by Freddie Kool Sat Oct 31 2:51am EDT

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    Freddykool: di i love you and you need a designated driver and you will have all the fun most young people enjoy. u da gal sal!!!!!
  17. Timm
    19. Posted by Timm Fri Oct 30 6:43pm EDT

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    Dee is still the BOMB!!!! She proved it by winning lifting the Mercury team to win the WNBA title. GO Dee!!!!

    DUI or not, we still luv ya!!!!!
  18. <i>hadley_jerrica</i>
    18. Posted by hadley_jerrica Fri Oct 30 11:59am EDT

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    People need to just forgive her and move on. JUST LET IT GO!!!!!!! Hater just want something to hate on.
  19. <i>hadley_jerrica</i>
    17. Posted by hadley_jerrica Fri Oct 30 11:59am EDT

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    People need to just forgive her and move on. JUST LET IT GO!!!!!!! Hater just want something to hate on.
  20. Victoria
    16. Posted by Victoria Thu Oct 29 8:34pm EDT

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    I knew she would get an easy sentence. 9 days suspended and one day in jail and other charges dropped. Plus this has dragged on since July 2. Well off to Russia she goes to play ball over there.
  21. Victoria
    15. Posted by Victoria Thu Oct 29 8:34pm EDT

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    I knew she would get an easy sentence. 9 days suspended and one day in jail and other charges dropped. Plus this has dragged on since July 2. Well off to Russia she goes to play ball over there.
  22. randy r
    14. Posted by randy r Thu Oct 29 7:22pm EDT

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    God damn it dorn!!! Next time you take one off the hip your gonna get down and give me 50!!
  23. Roger Dorn
    13. Posted by Roger Dorn Fri Jul 17 6:45pm EDT

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    What does "apolgogise" mean? Is it related to apologize?
  24. MJ touched hearts and kiddies private parts
    12. Posted by MJ touched hearts and kiddies private parts Fri Jul 17 2:35pm EDT

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    Is she pleading " not responsible " to speeding because she was so drunk that she cannot remember if she was speeding or how she got to be speeding?

    I love how she has yet to apolgogise for her actions and committing the actual crime, she is only apologising for distracting and embarrassing her team, family and friends. Throw the book at this cow. Its a disgrace.
  25. jane f
    11. Posted by jane f Thu Jul 16 8:26pm EDT

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    Put her mugshot on the sports page! When and if it is ever released. Close your eyes and see only 200 hours of community service. A public service message about the dangers of drinking and driving. Slap on the wrist.restituition. If Phoenix pulls everyone over, then it is extra stupid to drink and drive. I used to say I learned from mistakes just to sound contrite. Voluntary rehab? Dr, Drew always can use a fallen start!
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