Once someone has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of DUI, most probation agreements state something about avoiding alcohol for the term of probation. A person need not actually drive intoxicated to violate the terms of their probation. Simply being caught intoxicated outside a vehicle can be enough to be considered a violation. The Long Beach Post reports on the ex-chief of staff for a councilwoman being found to have violated probation and being given community service.
Councilwoman Jeanine Pearce’s former chief of staff, Devin Cotter, was serving out a period of probation for a 2015 DUI arrest.
Earlier this year, Cotter was arrested for public intoxication near Pearce’s residence on Junipero Avenue back in June.
Cotter showed up at Pearce’s home hours after the two were involved in an altercation on the freeway. Police reports from the incident at Pearce’s home show that he blew a .13, more than two times the legal limit.
The city prosecutor’s office filed one count of misdemeanor public intoxication against Cotter. He was arrested on a $50,000 warrant for violating his probation in his 2015. In a plea agreement, Cotter admitted that the incident was a violation of his probation. Superior Court Judge Richard Goul revoked his probation, ordering him to complete ten days of community service. If Cotter fails to meet the community service sentence, he could spend up to 170 days in county jail.
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