Broome District Attorney: DWI is a Serious Offense
The Broome County District Attorney’s office says it want to make clear that drunk driving is not a minor crime.
That message comes with the announcement of the conviction of 75-year-old Jerry Rudd of Binghamton for driving drunk on Conklin Avenue at 10:30 p.m. on May 7 of last year.
A news release from District Attorney Michael Korchak’s office says Rudd was driving at 1999 Lincoln in downtown Binghamton then onto Conklin Avenue where police say they saw him driving erratically.
According to the authorities, Rudd was observed being unable to maintain his lane and hitting a curb.
Police say after they stopped him, Rudd was observed to be under the influence of alcohol. Rrudd refused to take breath tests prior to his arrest.
There were apparently no other vehicles involved in the incident involving the Binghamton man and no injuries were reported after his vehicle hit the curb.
After being convicted in Binghamton City Court in a jury trial, Rudd is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge William Pelella on November 23rd.
In a statement issued after the conviction, District Attorney Michael Korchak said, “DWI is not a minor crime. When someone chooses to drive drunk, they are willfully risking serious injury or death to themselves or others.
The case was investigated by the City of Binghamton Police Department. The prosecution of the case in Binghamton Court was handled by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Chirco on behalf of Broome County District Attorney Michael Korchak’s office.
A conviction of Driving While Intoxicated in New York State can result in being sentenced to a fine, jail time or both.
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