A Township Committeeman claims that he pleaded guilty to DUI due to the media frenzy surrounding his court appearances, and his own failure to realize that his refusal to submit to a Breathalyzer test had compounded the seriousness of the charges, as reported by the Princeton Patch and other news media.
L.L., 50, will loose his driving privileges for seven months and must pay a fine over $1,000.
While pleading guilty to DUI and the refusal to take the blood-alcohol breath test in the August 9 incident, L.L.'s other charges, for reckless driving and an unsafe lane change maneuver, were dismissed.
On September 26 L.L. told reporters, "I'm not happy with any of this, but when you look at the big picture, it is what it is. I want this behind me, I'm done with this."
At approximately 1:55 a.m. on the morning of the accident, as L.L. drove north on Route 95, he was seen swerving across a lane and into a tractor-trailer. No one was hurt in the accident.
L.L. refused a trooper's request that he submit to the Breathalyzer exam. He later claimed that he did not now that in not submitting to the breath test meant a DUI charge and a charge for his refusal.
L.L. claimed that he was not drunk, instead, he was over tired and had drifted off to sleep while behind the wheel.
On September 11, L.L. told Hopewell Township Municipal Court Judge C.O. that he had not reached an agreement with the prosecutor. A trial was set for October 9. Then, on Sept 20, L.L. chose to appear in court though not on the public docket, and plead guilty.
L.L. told reporters that if the court allowed it, which they did, he could make an early appearance. According to L.L. he made the unannounced court appearance to avoid the media frenzy that he had encountered at his September 11 court date.
Reporters noted that only two media people had greeted L.L. during September 11 appearance, and then they sat down and either read or made phone calls.
L.L. then explained it wasn't the two at the courthouse but the other six that contacted him on the same day that he considered a frenzy of unwanted attention.
L.L. also admitted to consuming a few beers – though he believes that he was not drunk – a few hours prior to the accident. L.L. said, "For me, I used to drive for a living, I could drive 15-20 hours a day. But at 50 years old, I can't do that anymore. This has been a wake up call for me."
L.L. also wanted to praise the community for extending its support and said, "People have been coming up to me now matter where I am, and saying 'if you need me, I'm here.' It's been really, really, touching."
As far as his attitude toward the Breathalyzer exam, L.L. offered this advice to others, "Consent no matter what. And if you're physically impaired (from anything), don't drive."
Contact a DUI attorney that is experienced in handling DUI cases if you are facing criminal charges stemming from DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI.