No Roar From Tiger

You have probably heard the news about Tiger Woods in which he allegedly crashed his Cadillac Escalade at approximately 2:25 a.m. last Friday into a neighbor's tree. The media has been in a frenzy speculating what if anything Tiger or his wife could be charged with.

Tiger for his part has done little to quell speculation. He hasn't spoken to the media except through a released statement through his website TigerWoods.com, "This situation is my fault and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me,I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again. This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way. Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible."  Some in the media have taken this to mean that Tiger is hiding something and continue to debate how this will affect his career. The simple answer is that it will not. Tiger Woods will continue his career and retire as the greatest golfer to ever play the game. He will continue his charity work and he will earn over a billion dollars in tournament victories and endorsements. Its just a slow news week between Tiger and the White House party crashers.

The real lesson that Tiger is teaching the American public is that you have a right to remain silent. You do not have to talk to the police. If the police want to charge Tiger Woods with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI or DUI),Domestic or Family Violence Assault, Criminal Mischief or whatever other charge the media will think up, they can do it.

If they have evidence then charge him, if not then move on. Tiger Woods nor anyone is required to speak with the police and make a case for the police. The police have a job to do which we all respect. We all have rights which we are happy to have and assert. The media and public often forget one of the basic tenets of the American Justice System, the Presumption of Innocence.

Mark McGwire Benefits From Taking the Fifth

Mark McGwire has been named the St. Louis Cardinals' new hitting coach.  McGwire would not have even been considered for this position with his former team if he would not have followed his lawyers advice of "taking the fifth."  In 2005 Mr. McGwire refrained from speaking about steroid use after being summoned to appear before Congress.  At that time, he was heavily criticized by the media, became the poster boy for the steroid era of baseball, and vanished from the baseball scene.  Who in their "Flash Forward" would have seen him putting on a baseball uniform again in 2009?

Lucky for him, the American sports public has a short memory.  The baseball world is now welcoming him back with open arms.  Baseball's version of the prodigal son is returning.  Even Bud Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, is delighted to see Mr. McGwire back.  Unlike the players that testified fully during the congressional hearings in 2005 he is being given the "red carpet treatment" while the others are getting "blackballed by the sport" or even worse, getting Federal charges brought against them for perjury.

If I hope that McGwire does not get a free pass from the media and baseball fans. The steroid era  was a black eye for baseball.  How Mark McGwire is perceived will be an indicator if baseball fans really care what the players are doing legally or not so long as they produce on the field.

If you would like to speak to a Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer about your situation please call our law firm at (713) 242-1779 to talk to one of the attorneys.