New Yorkers quick to jump on the bandwagon that all people arrested for impaired driving offenses are irresponsible drunks should rethink that position. Many a responsible and professional person has been and can find themselves in such a situation. A quick stop for happy hour on the way home from the office all that is needed to put a person in jeopardy of a drunk driving arrest.
A 46-year-old New York Police Department lieutenant gives all New York residents a good example of this. With 18 years of law enforcement service under his belt, the officer now finds himself on the other side of the fence. Sources indicate that more than one call was made to 911 dispatch operators that reported disorderly conduct in Ridgewood, Queens. Upon arriving at the location, police found their fellow officer sitting in his automobile.
The man was not driving or moving the car at the time but the engine was on and idling. Watery eyes and difficulty speaking clearly were apparently noted. No details about other behaviors or facts were given. This includes any information about field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood alcohol level and more. The call did result in the lieutenant’s arrest on drunk driving charges. It is unknown if the defendant is in jail or if he has been released on bail.
Many factors can affect what happens to people after a DUI, DWI or DWAI charge. These include the presence of any prior offenses as well as details of the current arrest process. Talking to a lawyer experienced in these cases may be helpful to people facing such charges.
Source: New York Daily News, “NYPD lieutenant arrested for drunk driving in Queens: source,” Tina Moore, May 19, 2015