First-term Republican Councilman Todd Huff has pleaded guilty to DUI, while Baltimore County Circuit Judge Timothy J. Martin decides what the proper punishment should be, as reported by the Parkville Patch and several other media outlets.
Huff was arrested for driving under the influence on February 23. His guilty plea was made as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors to drop all other charges against him.
Judge Martin, in setting an April 30 sentencing, said that he needs the additional time to contemplate how to best handle the matter.
Huff's defense attorney, John Grason Turnbull III, has asked for probation before judgment. Harford County state's attorney, Chris Smith, said the defense's request is inappropriate. Smith is asking the judge to hand down a sentence against Huff that would result in the loss of his diving privileges.
Turnbull is arguing that Huff "needs his license to remain employed at Brooks-Huff. He needs his license to remain employed as a county councilman" and that he will loose his federal commercial driver's license due to the arrest.
In court, Huff offered his apologies for the first time, "I just wanted to apologize to my family, my colleagues and the constituents of the 3rd District for creating this unforgivable situation. I continue to work hard to gain their trust back."
Driving his silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, Huff was seen on York Road without his headlights illuminated. An officer pulled him over and conducted a series of field sobriety tests – all of which he failed.
Turnbull argued that since his arrest, and due to the public's response, Huff has had therapy for both alcohol abuse and anxiety. Therapist L.F. told the court that Huff suffered with "alcohol abuse, not dependency."
Speaking on Huff's behalf as a character witness, attorney A.P., said "It's important to have a picture of the whole person" and that she felt he wanted to be a politician to serve the public and "not a career."
A.P. worked on Huff's campaign, and later, he appointed her to the county's Human Relations Commission.
Another character witness, N.H., told of how much "sweat equity" Huff has given to the community as he volunteered nearly 500 hours to an annual festival in the Spring.
However, Martin said that he would balance the weight of the character witness testimony along with the facts of the arrest. Though Huff has no criminal record, his blood alcohol registered over twice the legal limit to drive. Added to that, according to Martin, was a previous arrest almost 18 years ago, in which Huff spent four days in jail and his license had an alcohol restriction placed on it.
Smith argued that the new arrest was basically a first arrest for alcohol-related offenses and continued to argue for probation over judgment.
Martin then said that he was also troubled by arrogant comments that Huff made to the arresting officer. Allegedly Huff said, "Don't you know who I am?"
Because Huff is a council member Martin questioned his role, "Does he have an enhanced responsibility to conduct himself by a higher standard?
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