David Cassidy, the star of the 1970’s sitcom “The Partridge Family”, accepted a no-contest plea in a Florida Court to DUI charges on February 16, 2011. Essentially, a no-contest plea means that there is no in Court admission of the charges, but the defendant does not fight them either. By taking the plea through his attorney, Mr. Cassidy was not required to be in Court to acknowledge his plea. Cassidy was also charged with failure to maintain a single lane, and an open container violation. Frequently, in New York, these charges would be dismissed in a plea to the top charge in what is called taking a plea to one charge “in full satisfaction” of the docket against the defendant.
Back on November 3, 2010, the 60 year old former teen idol was pulled over by a Fort Pierce officer who observed Cassidy’s car weaving in and out of traffic and veer off the roadway. Cassidy told the officer that he had a glass of wine and had taken a Hydrocodone earlier in the day.
Cassidy is alleged to have failed Field Sobriety Tests. A breathalyzer administered shortly after the arrest revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14, well above Florida’s legal limit. Reportedly, the investigating officer found a bottle of bourbon in the vehicle.
Had this arrest and plea occurred in New York State, and Mr. Cassidy was charged with a New York DWI, he would be facing the following: a minimum six month revocation of his driving privileges; court fees of at least $900.00; the requirement to attend and complete the New York State Drinking Driver Program, (DDP), payment of $750.00 in fines to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles; (NYSDMV) (known as the “Driver’s Responsibility Assessment”) and the installation of an ignition interlock device in his car for at least one year.
Contact the Westchester County DWI Lawyers at the White Plains, New York Law Office Of Mark A. Siesel online or toll free at (914) 428-7386 if you are charged with an aggravated DWI, DWI, or a traffic infraction for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.