JASON PATRIC - DRUNKEN CHARGES AGAINST PATRIC DROPPED

Hollywood star JASON PATRIC has escaped court after a charge of resisting arrest was been dropped following an alleged drunken encounter with Texas police.

The SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL actor, 37, was arrested on 29 March (04) after challenging police to test him for drunkenness following a night out in the state capital Austin.

Patric was booked on misdemeanour charges of public intoxication and resisting arrest. He was taken to the TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL and released five hours later.

Earlier this week (begs03MAY04) Travis County Attorney DAVID ESCAMILLA announced his office had decided not to pursue the resisting arrest charge after a close inspection of the evidence.

Escamilla says, "Merely retracting your arm or some other similar uncooperative action won't suffice to support a conviction."

Last week (ends30APR04) the Austin attorney's office dropped the public intoxication against Patric.

The movie star's publicist MICHELLE BEGA says, "Mr. Patric is extremely pleased and feels vindicated.

"He is now consulting with legal counsel to consider his next step regarding his arrest, imprisonment and treatment at the hands of the Austin Police Department."