Justin Bieber Exits Jail on DUI Charge, Climbs On Car, Blows Kiss
Jan. 23, 2014— -- Justin Bieber was arrested early Thursday morning after leaving a Miami Beach club, accused of drag racing through a residential neighborhood and DUI. Police allege the pop singer admitted to having beer, marijuana and prescription drugs in his system.
His blood alcohol level was .04. That level was illegal, because he is under-age. The standard for someone driving under the age of 21 is .02.
The singer spent the rest of the night in jail then appeared in a Miami courtroom early this afternoon where a judge set bail at $2,500. Bieber stood silently in the courtroom dressed in a jail jumpsuit as his attorney spoke. ABC News confirmed that "because of Justin Bieber's high profile status," he received special treatment and had his hearing moved up when it should have been Friday.
He posted bail and exited the courthouse a short time later, jumped up on a car and blew a kiss to a throng of fans as he left. A couple hours later, he was spotted by news helicopters riding around Downtown Miami in a black Escalade that eventually pulled into the lush Viceroy Hotel in Brickell.
Miami Beach police said Bieber was pulled over for speeding in a yellow Lamborghini and failed a field sobriety test. This is a first-degree misdemeanor, which could get him up to six months in jail and have his license suspended for six months.
NEW: SEE BIEBER'S ARREST REPORT
But he may be eligible for a program for first-time offenders that reduces the charge to reckless driving, said defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh, who is not involved in this case. Florida has zero tolerance for underage drinkers and if the singer enters a program for first-time offenders Bieber will have to steer clear of all drugs and alcohol, as was the case with actress Lindsay Lohan.
READ MORE: A LOOK INSIDE BIEBER'S PAST TROUBLES
Miami Beach Police Chief Raymond Martinez told the Miami Herald that Bieber was incoherent at the time of his arrest. He had his hands in his pockets and resisted arrest without violence, the chief said, adding that the singer was driving with a Georgia license that expired at least six months ago.
Police allege that Bieber cursed out the arresting officer then admitted to having beer, marijuana and prescription drugs in his system.
WHO IS KHALIL SHARIEFF: DRAG RACER ARRESTED WITH BIEBER
A source told ABC News that Bieber was leaving SET Nightclub on Lincoln Road before he was arrested. After leaving the club, the musician's entourage had apparently used their cars to block traffic on Pine Tree Drive at 26th Street, a residential area, at around 4 a.m., creating a drag strip for Bieber, who was in a Lamborghini, the newspaper reported.
Bieber was taken to county jail for processing. Miami Beach Police Detective Vivian Hernandez added that under Florida law Bieber had to spend a mandatory eight-hour drying out period in lockup after a DUI arrest.
Police said that the other alleged drag racer, who was racing Bieber in a red Ferrari, was Khalil Amir Sharieff and he was also charged with DUI. The police report said the cars were going 55 to 60 mph in a residential zone posted at 30 mph.
The Canadian singer, 19, has faced increasing legal trouble in the past year. He was recently investigated by Los Angeles police after a neighbor accused Bieber of throwing eggs at his house.
A rep for the singer had no comment.
