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In April of this year, Parchment athletic director John Thompson was arrested by a Richland police officer and arrested for drunk driving and fleeing/eluding police. Thompson was charged with three misdemeanors including operating a motor vehicle with high blood-alcohol content, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, and having an open intoxicant in his vehicle. He was also arrested on a felony charge of fleeing and eluding police.

During the course of his trial, Thompson admitted to drunk driving and having an open intoxicant in his vehicle, but stated that he did not remember fleeing and eluding police. This was the most serious charge that Thompson faced. Thompson’s attorney, David Butler, told jurors that his client was in a “blackout” when police pursued him, and that Thompson did not recall running from police. He argued that his client was not guilty of the felony charge.

During Thompson’s own testimony, he stated that he did not know he left the Richland Pub where he and his boss, Parchment Public Schools Superintendent Matt Miller, had gone earlier in the evening to have a drink. Thompson said he had no recollection of getting into his car and driving, or fleeing from police.

Miller stated during his testimony that he and Thompson did not consume alcohol at Thompson’s home before leaving for the pub that evening. He also testified that Thompson did not exhibit signs of intoxication, which he would have considered slurred speech and/or stumbling. According to Miller, Thompson consumed three drinks which consisted of vodka and diet soda while in his presence. Later that evening, the two lost contact at the pub; Miller did not know that Thompson had left.

On Thursday, October 11, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charge of fleeing and eluding a police officer after more than 12 hours of deliberation; however they did find him guilty of the other misdemeanor charges.

A status conference has been scheduled for November 16 on the unsettled charge; sentencing on the charges Thompson was found guilty of will take place on December 3rd.

Experienced Michigan DUI defense lawyers know that penalties for those convicted even on misdemeanor charges can be serious, impacting the reputation and career of the individual convicted.

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Michigan drivers license restoration attorneys know that when an individual’s driver’s license has been suspended or revoked due to multiple OWI/DUI offenses, having a license restored is not an easy process – in fact, it’s quite complex and usually requires the guidance of a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer.

Recently, a former Allegan County Sheriff’s deputy faced felony charges of fleeing and eluding police, resisting officers and a third offense operating under the influence. Kevin Haan, 47, was also charged with running over road signs, a misdemeanor offense. Michigan State Police were notified of a motorist driving erratically in Kent City on M-37 after other motorists called 911. The chase began; it went on for 20 miles, sometimes reaching speeds of 75 to 80 mph before Haan plowed into an old school in Muskegon Township.

Muskegon County senior assistant prosecutor D.J. Hilson said that upon inspecting Haan’s truck, officers found a bottle of vodka which was half consumed. Haan was working for the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department in 2004, when he was arrested on his first drunk driving offense. His 18-year career as a deputy came to an end when Haan was convicted on the charge. He was convicted on his second DUI offense in Kent County in 2005.

Those convicted on drunk driving charges often face several penalties, which may include monetary fines, jail time and a permanent criminal record. Even though those consequences are certainly nothing to be taken lightly, having your driver’s license suspended or revoked is perhaps the harshest penalty, because it severely impacts your ability to lead a normal life.

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