Justin Bieber at the time of his arrest. Khalil Amir Sharieff (right) has been confirmed as the other drag racer.
Justin Bieber’s latest run-in with the law early Thursday — for that drag-racing/DUI/resisting arrest in Miami — has the superstar singer’s people FINALLY realizing the kid is a such a mess that drastic actions need be taken.
Ya think? What took them so long?!
The Miami Beach justice system certainly expedited Bieber’s case — with the singer appearing before the judge (via a video hookup from the jail) by mid-day Thursday. “Part of this was due to the Miami Beach authorities’ strong desire to move this along as fast as possible — to prevent the media circus from becoming even crazier and more drawn out,” said a veteran Miami legal expert.
While Bieber’s bail $2,500 may seem quite low for the multi-millionaire, legal sources claim it is appropriate for the level of misdemeanors he faces in this case.
Another interesting twist: Bieber hired noted attorney Roy Black, who previously has been in the news for representing such other high-profile clients, including William Kennedy Smith and Rush Limbaugh.
An added angle — which REALLY riled Team Bieber— was the knowledge, that just came to light this morning, that his father, Jeremy Bieber was part of the whole drag racing bit. First reported by TMZ — and now confirmed by my own sources — Papa Biebs helped set up the drag racing course, along with other members of the 19-year-old’s young entourage.
I’ve learned from separate Bieber sources over the past few months that the singer’s management team is unhappy the teenager’s parents have been very hands-off with his personal life and habits.
This latest incident, of course, came after a wild night of partying — mostly at the SET nightclub in Miami Beach. Per usual, Bieber kicked off his late night frolicking Wednesday, around midnight, surrounded by a lot of women, including supermodel Chantel Jeffries, who was photographed sitting in Bieber’s rented yellow Lamborghini. The singer even posted a shot of Jeffries on Instagram sitting in the driver’s seat. That shot was quickly taken down, after the run-in with the cops and Bieber’s arrest.
Commenting on this latest episode in the superstar’s increasingly troubled recent antics, a music industry pro, who knows Bieber and his team well, said early Thursday, “Here we go again. Shades of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, or other troubled young stars — don’t you think? I’m betting there are some pretty intense conference calls happening as we speak.”
Though it’s unlikely Bieber’s Miami Beach arrest (coupled with his other pending charges connected to that “egging” of his neighbor’s house in California) would lead to his being deported, the Canadian citizen could face serious travel restrictions. If he left the U.S. there could be visa issues raised regarding re-entry, though it’s being assumed in entertainment circles Bieber’s high-priced legal team should be able to squelch that.
Of course, there’s also big buzz about a possible stint in rehab — considering his repeated problems with alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug use.
Meanwhile, the fact Bieber is grinning smugly in his mug shot (see below), released by the Miami Police — already is stirring a huge buzz on social media:
And now here’s the side view. … At least he’s not smiling in that one!
Justin Bieber sideview
