EDHS Contemporary World Affairs

elliskim · Veteran Member

the hawks. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps arrested on DUI charge

danieldeassis · Member

Yes. just because he is an Olympian does not mean he should receive special treatment on the roads which everyone should abide by.

zach nash · Veteran Member

i agree, he is still a U.S. citizen that should be treated like everyone else.

kristina chaney · Veteran Member

Michael should be punished to the same extent that any other person would be punished. Driving 84 mph in a 45 mph zone is very dangerous and increases the odds of him hurting himself and others.

Amy Nguyen · Veteran Member

He should be punished like everyone else is for driving under the influence, especially considering how fast he was driving. He could have killed/injured people and since he was drunk, he wouldn't be able to react in time if there was a situation on the road.

Outside of the article, I heard that his blood-alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit. Also, I believe Michael Phelps was arrested for a DUI before when he was 19, but he only got a two year probation (i'm not 100% sure if this is true but still something to consider).

derekreilly · Veteran Member

He should receive the same punishment as anybody else who committed this crime. He is not exempt from the law and should be treated as a regular citizen.

Mary Williams · Veteran Member

"In 2004, he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Salisbury, Maryland. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months probation. He also issued an apology after that incident."
He deserves just as much punishment as any other person would get. he is a role model to many people, and this is not a good example to be giving off to the many people that look up to him.

Abi G · Member

He should receive the same punishment. Just because he is famous doesn't give him the right to break the laws also just because he says he's "sorry" doesn't mean anything.

Amber Kennedy · Veteran Member

The punishment should not be harsh, but it should also not be something less than what any other person would get. Everyone should receive equal treatment under the law.

Sami_THECREATOR · Veteran Member

Michael Phelps should be treated no better or worse than any other American, but in all honesty who cares? I feel that in our society we have an infatuation with celebrities and athletes and follow their lives a little too closely.

Banddude · Senior Member

A regular punishment for a regular American citizen. The only thing that makes him special is his physical talent. He isn't some savior sent to race across school zones in his pumped up ride. He needs to face the consequences for his actions just as everyone else does. It will disappoint me tremendously to find he was given special privileges due to his celebrity status.

Foley · Veteran Member

Him being an Olympian doesn't make him more of a citizen over anyone else. He should be treated just like everyone else who gets arrested under a DUI charge. He doesn't deserve any kind of special treatment and he potentially put everyone's life at risk in the area. He is still a person and a citizen of the United States.

kristiestoermer · Veteran Member

Yes there should be a harsh punishment for Phelp's actions because he put himself and other people at danger when he got into his car under the influence. So many people are killed every year from drunk driving and it was of the stupidest things you can. Just because he is a famous gold medalist shouldn't get him off the hook. I think the fact that he is so well-known as one of the most decorated olympians means that people look up to him and are inspired by him. He should be leading an example, not driving around drunk and especially not getting away with little punishment for it.

Zachary Francine · Veteran Member

He should be given the same treatment as anyone else. The law and society can't always hold celebrities to either a higher or lower standard. That is unfair to them and to us.

Alexis · Veteran Member

i agree that he should be given to same punishment as anyone else legally. BuT i also believe he should receive punishment from the owners of his professional team or the Olympic administration. He should understand that being put on such a high pedestal in sports, that you have a responsibility to act appropriately and safely even more than a regular citizen.

Kayli Perry · Veteran Member

Absolutely there should be a punishment for his crime. I feel because he is a role model for society that he especially should be punished. By letting him off, it would be sending the message to others that "maybe I can get away with it too." Or, it will just enforce they idea that the American legal system is not just, as it lets off certain people based on status, and punishes other people more harshly because of theirs.

Also, this is not Mr. Phelps first time driving with a DUI, therefore he didn't learn from his lesson. I think his punishment should fit the crime and that he should be sentenced just like anyone else would.

aya · Veteran Member

There is no reason for him not to be arrested or treated like the rest of the poeple. He should have the same punishment because him being an Olympian doesn't change the way he should be dealt with or treated.