Randy Travis Sues Over DWI Dashcam Video
Country star Randy Travis is suing over some naked, drunken driving arrest footage, reports the Austin American-Statesman.
It was just earlier this year in January when Travis pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence. The incident itself occurred in August 2012, when Travis was found stark naked at the scene of a car accident he was involved in. His reported blood-alcohol level was also 0.21%, well over Texas' legal limit of 0.08%.
A judge had originally granted Travis' request to block the video from being released. But the Texas attorney general's office is now stepping in.
The Dashcam Debate
Generally speaking, dashcam video can be released and made available to the public, after a request has been processed according to the respective state's public records act.
Under the Texas Public Information Act, public information can be made available to anybody. Public information is any information collected in connection with the transaction of official government business. The dashcam video of Travis in his birthday suit would seem to fall under this category.
But while the judge in Travis' case agreed to withhold Travis' DWI dashcam video, the Texas attorney general's office ruled this month that some info related to Travis' arrest must be made public. That includes Travis' DWI arrest video.
The Attorney General's Ruling
The attorney general's May 3 ruling states that some of the information requested -- like medical records and motor-vehicle records -- must be withheld, according to the American-Statesman.
But the AG's office also ruled that the judge did not have the power to prevent the dashcam video from being released. That's what led Travis to sue.
It is unknown at this point whether or not Travis will be successful. But according to Texas law, it would seem that nothing can stop members of the public from making requests to get their hands on the much sought-after footage.
Related Resources:
- Randy Travis sues to block release of DWI dash cam (The Associated Press)
- Randy Travis Gets Probation for Naked DWI Incident (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Randy Travis Arrested for Public Intoxication in Front of Church (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Randy Travis Video: Says 'Are You Kidding Me?' When Asked for ID (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)