New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was charged with DWI this past Tuesday when his Range Rover was pulled over by New York City police for having excessively tinted windows. Allegedly, Edwards failed field sobriety tests and took a breathalyzer which revealed a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .16%, which is twice the legal limit of .08% in New York State.
The NFL has a “Player Protect Program”, which is a 24 hour driving service strictly for professional athletes. If a player needs a lift home, he can call at any time and will be driven home in a luxury SUV. Unfortunately for Edwards and the Jets, he did not avail himself of this service, and now faces a New York DWI and DWAI (driving while ability impaired) charges. Edwards was signed by the Jets last year after being released by the Cleveland Browns when he was charged with aggravated disorderly conduct as the result of allegedly punching a friend of Lebron James outside a nightclub. He pled guilty to misdemeanor aggravated disorderly conduct in January. The outcome of the DWI case could cause Mr. Edwards to have a probation violation back in Cleveland. Thus, his attorney will attempt to negotiate a plea in New York which would not trigger a probation violation in Ohio.
If Edwards is convicted or pleads guilty to a DWI charge, he could face up to 12 months in jail, is subject to a fine of approximately $900.00, will have his license to operate a motor vehicle revoked for at least 6 months, and will have to install an ignition interlock in any vehicles he owns or operates. He will also be required to attend alcohol treatment classes, and a 7 week program sponsored by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYDMV) known as the “Drinking Driver Program.”
When you are charged with a New York driving while intoxicated offense, another misdemeanor or felony, or a traffic infraction, contact the Westchester County DWI Defense Lawyers at The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel online or toll free at (914) 428-7386 for a free consultation with an experienced defense attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.