A middle-aged problem child – is this another case of the poor little rich boy, err, man?

Robert Ray Huizenga, the troubled 47-year old son of the former owner of Miami Dolphins football team was arrested for boating under the influence (BUI) and probation violation in Fort Lauderdale this week.

According to the police, Huizenga was arrested in a boat after a reported burglary at a home in Fort Lauderdale. They alleged that he refused to take a BUI test even though he strongly smelled of alcohol and was slurring his speech.

Patrick Stewart, 44, a man he was reportedly with at the time of the incident was arrested for trespassing and drug possession.

Huizenga’s lawyer said that his client is pleading not guilty to the charges of BUI.

At his age (and given the fact that he already has records and is currently under probation), Robert Huizenga really should have known better than to get intoxicated. Alcohol isn’t called the devil’s brew for nothing and people under the influence could really do stupid and potentially dangerous things.

Fortunately, Huizenga didn’t manage to hurt anyone else except himself and well, maybe also his father’s wallet. Litigation would be a pain from this point on and he would need lawyers who can get him off the hook and that’s most likely going to take a lot of money in view of his record.

Aside from the fact that boating and driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs is considered a crime by most states, in California, people are required by law to submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol and/or drug content of their blood when requested to do so by a peace officer.

According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, offenders 21 years of older at the time of arrest who refuse or fail to complete a blood or breath test, or (if applicable) a urine test will be penalized with:

•    1-year license suspension for the first offense.
•    A second offense within 10 years will result in a 2-year license revocation.
•    A third or subsequent offense within 10 years will result in a 3-year license revocation.

It’s such a shame that people sometimes think to get away from the consequences of their action and while it seems that the rich often get to go free, they end up paying more than they want. And sometimes, when enough is enough, all the money is the world will not buy them their freedom.