Court to Hear Case Against Singer Normunds Rutulis for Drunk Driving

The Riga City Court is set to start hearing a criminal case against singer Normunds Rutulis on February 3, 2027, at 1 p.m. He is accused of drunk driving and causing a traffic accident.

According to the prosecution, on the evening of March 14, 2026, Rutulis drove a "Cupra Formentor" in Riga with a blood alcohol level of 2 per mille. He crossed into the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming "Mercedes Benz". The accused fully admitted his guilt and expressed remorse.

Under the Criminal Law, the penalty for such an offense is up to one year in prison or probation, along with a five-year driving ban. The offender's vehicle is also confiscated, or if it belongs to someone else, the guilty party must compensate its value. Administrative proceedings have been initiated for causing the traffic accident.

The prosecutor noted that similar cases are usually resolved through a prosecutor's order or a plea agreement. In this instance, the prosecutor attempted to reach a deal for actual imprisonment, but as no agreement was reached, the case has been forwarded to court for a general trial.