Over the border in Pennsylvania, a District Judge has found herself in some hot water after a DUI stop in April.
At the time, her blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, and in late May she waived a hearing on her case.
She remains on the bench, though all DUI cases on her docket have been reassigned to District Judge Thomas H. Xavios, who is notably also hearing her case.
In a bit of an irony, Scott’s lawyer told the court that the judge is applying to participate in Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, or ARD.
This is a probationary program that lets first-time offenders complete a series of requirements, including community service, payment of court costs, and other elements that the District Attorney decides are necessary.
Once completed, a first-time DUI offender walks away with a clean record and no admission of guilt.
Scott is the 29-year-old daughter of Reading’s Mayor, Wally Scott, and succeeded her dad on the bench when he retired to run for mayor.
Her lawyer insists that the case features no special treatment for his client, and that the same rules that would apply to any defendant are being applied here.
Still, for defendants who can’t afford a lawyer or meet the terms of a diversionary program, it has to look like the privileged are, as always, prevailing.
New Jersey doesn’t have a first-offender diversion program for DWI, but it does have ample opportunities to defend yourself against charges of drunk driving.
If you’ve been stopped for DWI in New Jersey, call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9660 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey DWI defense attorney.
