New Jersey Judge Faces Heavy Consequences in DWI Case
You may remember our previous post on a New Jersey Municipal Court judge who found himself on the wrong side of the law in November has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated (DWI) and making threats to an officer. George R. Korpita was pulled over by a Roxbury policeman after a concerned motorist called the police. When given a breathalyzer test, Korpita blew a whopping 0.22 percent blood alcohol content (BAC), well over the New Jersey limit of 0.08. Not content to cooperate with the officer, Korpita apparently threatened to rule against the police officer whenever he appeared before him on the bench. These threats resulted in criminal charges in addition to the DWI accusation.
Though Korpita was able to broker a plea agreement with law enforcement to avoid serving time in jail, he will not get off easily. He will serve three years of probation, suffer from a one-year license suspension, give up his current position and any future public office, have to take random drug and alcohol evaluations, and perform 100 days of community service. In addition, his actions will be reported to professional groups like the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Board of Attorney Ethics.
With his career over and his reputation permanently damaged, Korpita will pay dearly for the right to stay out of jail. The severity of the consequences he faces are a good reminder for anyone who is pulled over on a New Jersey DWI charge – remain polite and calm, if possible, even if you are certain you are innocent or suspect you may be over the legal limit. Unfortunately, alcohol lowers both reaction times and inhibitions, so the likelihood of poor judgment is increased. However, Korpita would have done better to immediately contact his New Jersey DWI attorney than to hassle the police – and pay the ultimate price.
If you’re pulled over on a DWI charge, get in touch with an experienced New Jersey DWI lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein are competent, have a great track record, and are committed to protecting their clients. Don’t give up your career, your reputation and your freedom. Call Lependorf & Silverstein for a free phone consultation today.
