When a New York motorist is accused of intoxicated driving, he or she is guaranteed the right to present a defense to the formal accusations. DUI charges can negatively affect a person’s personal and professional life, often even before charges have been fully adjudicated. Two police officers likely understand what that’s like, as they were each recently arrested and charged with drunk driving, albeit in unrelated incidents.
One of the officers was a 21-year-old cadet. Authorities handling the case say he was seen driving in the wrong direction on a roadway. Officials also say the officer’s vehicle slammed into the back of an ambulance, and that he fled instead of staying at the scene.
The other incident happened on East 34th street at approximately 12:30 a.m., when a 48-year-old police officer apparently crashed his vehicle into another one that was parked nearby. The officer in question had reportedly been on the force for more than 25 years. His superiors suspended him from work without pay.
Being involved in a car accident obviously does not necessarily mean that the person was driving under the influence at the time. Police officers are not the only people who have a lot at stake when charged with drunk driving. Anyone charged with DUI can fight the charges, and can also challenge proffered evidence if they believe their rights were violated in the process of search, seizure or arrest. Most New York motorists planning to do so ask experienced defense attorneys to represent them in court.
Source: New York Post, “2 NYPD officers busted for drunk driving in separate incidents“, Stephanie Pagones, March 18, 2018
