Minnesota Woman Arrested for Aggravated DUI: Two Kids in her Car
On May 7, 2009, a Minnesota woman named Lee Joan Harris was arrested under the suspicion of aggrevated DWI while driving home from a SuperTarget store in Scott County, Minnesota. The incident was Ms. Harris's second DWI. In November 2000, police also pulled her over for DWI while she was shuttling children in her car.
Chain of Events
News reports do not say how or why Ms. Harris became inebriated. But they do describe details of the arrest. According to eyewitness accounts, around 7 p.m., Ms. Harris exited SuperTarget in a state of distress and disarray, literally "stumbling" out the door. An employee saw her get into a vehicle with two child passengers. Alarmed and concerned for the children's welfare, the employee alerted the police.
Officers tailed her car from South Park Drive to Louisiana Avenue, at which point Ms. Harris made a wide and dangerous turn against oncoming traffic. The police managed to pull her over a block later. According to reports, her car smelled strongly of alcohol, and Ms. Harris was "glassy eyed" and sluggish. She admitted to having "a beer," and tripped getting out of her car on the way to take a roadside sobriety test. Ms. Harris refused a breathalyzer test at the scene. She also later refused a blood-alcohol test at the station, after she had been arrested.
Given that young children (ages 6 and 7) had been in the car, Ms. Harris could face severe charges, including up to a year in jail, thousands of dollars in fines, and a separate $300 fine for driving over the yellow center line on Louisiana Avenue.
The pressures of parenthood can force otherwise responsible people to do dangerous and stupid things. But just because you've been charged with DWI in San Diego doesn't mean that you have no recourse. The legal offices of Stephen Brodsky and Associates may be able to help you. Find out more about our diverse experience at www.CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com, or call or e-mail to set a free consultation about your DWI matter.
