Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
On Christmas Eve, 35-year-old Bridget Pollack, a social studies teacher at a high school in the Mahanoy Area School District, was charged with DUI, resisting arrest, driving without a valid license, and having an open container in her vehicle, according to a news article at Wnep.com.
Mahanoy City police claim in court papers that on Wednesday evening, Pollack crashed her SUV into a light pole, which resulted in the pole falling onto a home; live wires were exposed on the pole. Pollack allegedly drove away from the scene of the crash, however a witness to the incident pursued the vehicle and Pollack drove onto another street, where she pulled over on the sidewalk and stopped. This is where police found her.
When police questioned the teacher about whether she had been drinking, she reportedly replied, “I’m drunk. I’ve been drinking all day.” She then asked police if they could just let her go, because of the fact that she was a teacher and would likely lose her job. Police claim to have found a bottle of wine that was open in the SUV Pollack was driving. Her driver’s license had been expired for nearly two years.
When police would not let Pollack go, she struggled as they attempted to put handcuffs on her before taking her to the police station and hospital, where she refused a blood-alcohol test. Police allege that Pollack struggled to the point they had to use a stun gun in order to get her to the Mahanoy City police station.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a very serious criminal offense, regardless of what state a person resides in. It is not a minor traffic infraction, it is a crime. In Michigan, the penalties for someone convicted of a first DUI offense include possible jail time, fines, driver’s license suspension, community service, and more. The penalties become harsher for every subsequent DUI, and leave the offender with a criminal record. This can impact employment and other aspects of a person’s life.
If you have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence, it is important to consult with an experienced Michigan DUI lawyer who will thoroughly review your case and help you determine the best legal option for your particular situation. In many cases, having a capable defense attorney has helped those charged with DUI avoid life-changing consequences.