Gary Dourdan, CSI co-star was arrested Monday in Palm Springs California for possession of narcotics and dangerous drugs. The actor was found asleep in his car which caught the attention of the Palm Springs, California Police Department when they noticed it parked on the wrong side of the street with the interior light on.
Officers described Dourdan as disoriented and possibly under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Dourdan was arrested after officers found suspected cocaine, heroin, Ecstacy, miscellaneous prescription drugs and paraphernalia in his vehicle. Dourdan was released on $5,000 bail at 10:30 a.m.
Dourdan plays crime scene investigator Warrick Brown on CBS' "CSI." It is unknown why Mr. Dourdan was in town, perhaps to attend the Coachella Valley Music Festival being held in Indio, California.
Dourdan faces possible Driving Under the Influence or Vehicle Code 23152 (a) and (b), Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance or Health and Safety Code Section 11550, Possession of a Controlled Substance or Health and Safety Code Section 11377 and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia or Health and Safety Code Section 11364. The drug possession and under the influence charges are going to be felony charges which means his jail exposure could be 3 years in state prison on each felony conviction. On the other hand, Mr. Dourdan may be eligible drug programs as an alternative to jail. PC 1000 is a drug diversion program where upon successful completion of the program and 18 months probation the charges can be dismissed. Proposition 36 (Prop 36) is a similar drug program but the case does not get dismissed, it just allows individuals to stay out of jail for their convictions.
Unfortunately for Mr. Dourdan, he was arrested in Riverside County which is one of the toughest District Attorneys offices in Southern California, except maybe Orange County. In any event, Mr. Dourdan needs a very skilled and aggressive criminal defense attorney to handle this very media driven case.
Mr. Dourdan or anyone arrested for drug possession cases in Riverside County or Orange County should call our office for a free consultation. We are tough, skilled and highly respected among our legal peers and you will not find another criminal defense firm that works harder for their clients than we do.
