Nuggets' Anthony pleads guilty to DWAI, loses license 90 days
By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published June 24, 2008 at 8:44 a.m.
Updated June 25, 2008 at 12:33 a.m.
George Kochaniec Jr. / The Rocky
Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony leaves Denver District Court on Tuesday without comment after pleading guilty to driving while ability impaired and failing to remain in a single lane.
Denver Nuggets basketball star Carmelo Anthony pleaded guilty Tuesday to driving while ability impaired and failing to remain in a single lane - and he now will work with a program that encourages young people to not drink and drive.
Anthony avoided a stiffer DUI charge stemming from his April 14 arrest. A plea deal netted him 11 points on his license - for a total of 17 when combined with two other speeding tickets.
His license will be suspended for 90 days, according to his attorney, Daniel Recht.
"I put myself at risk," Anthony told Denver Judge Claudia Jordan, speaking apologetically about putting others in danger as well.
Anthony will get one year of supervised probation, will be required to perform 24 hours of community service and will pay $1,049 in court costs and fines.
He also has to attend a victim- impact panel.
Recht, dwarfed by Anthony's 6-foot-8 frame, urged Jordan to assign Anthony to work as a spokesman encouraging young people not to drink and drive through a Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation program, "Alive at 25."
Jordan endorsed Anthony's youth-mentoring role but said it requires final approval by the community service office.
Anthony, 24, who refused to comment as he left the courtroom flanked by TV cameras, did make a comment in a foundation news release: "I look forward to making a positive impact in the lives of others, especially for those in my age group."
A test found that Anthony's blood-alcohol content was 0.148 when he was arrested, almost double the legal limit of 0.08.
Denver police say that at about 4 a.m. on April 14, Anthony was stopped in a silver Mercedes on southbound Interstate 25 near 20th Street for failing to stay in his lane and dim his lights. He was booked and released from jail that day.
Because his blood-alcohol content was below 0.150, he was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser alcohol-related charge, said Denver district attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.
Anthony originally faced charges of driving under the influence, driving without a license, failing to drive in a single lane and failing to dim his bright lights.
John Anderson, deputy director of the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation, acknowledged some risk in asking Anthony, who has faced various embarrassing lapses in judgment, to be the program's public face.
"That's an organizational hazard and exposure that we're willing to take," Anderson said. "We have many volunteers who speak on the program's behalf who are felons, who have made poor decisions and caused death or serious bodily injury in the car. It's not about bad people. It's about bad decisions."
On Monday the Nuggets announced that Anthony will sit out the first two games of the 2008-09 season as punishment for his "serious lapse in judgment."
Anthony's fiancee, LaLa Vaz quez, when asked for her reaction to the court hearing, said, "I'm just happy it's almost over."
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June 24, 2008
8:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
momof5 writes:
Geez, do you want to go all the way back to the time he cheated on a test at school or stole candy from a store.
Why bring up his entire past? Who cares? Give him his sentence, let him make restitution, clean up his act and get on with life.
June 24, 2008
9:20 a.m.
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anthony1979 writes:
I don't think you said Anthony got in a fight w/ Mardy Collins enough...
June 24, 2008
9:21 a.m.
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American100 writes:
Personally have no use for the guy but at least this time he showed up in court in a suit and tie instead of his usual gang banger uniform.
June 24, 2008
9:25 a.m.
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mojambo writes:
I find it odd he was given a sentence for DWAI and not DUI, particuarly when his BAC was nearly twice the limit.
Of all the people that could survive and afford the current hardship of having no means of driving oneself around, and future obligations associated with SR-22 Melo is given a pass that the ordinary citizen wouldn't - or at least couldn't afford - to get.
It's "just" DUI - yet, the peasantry is left to simply accept that the uber rich live in a different world altogether.
June 24, 2008
9:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
gr8fuldude writes:
He seems to be having a nice time in the first picture. I am sure I would be too if a fawning judge was about to basically let me go free after blowing a .148.
June 24, 2008
9:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
buzzman writes:
HE NEEDED COMMMUNITY SERVICE OF 200 HRS PICKING UP CIGARETTE BUTS AND CHEWING GUM AND ROAD TRASH WITH AN ORNAGE JUMPSUIT
GOT OFF TOO EASY-MONEY AND MORE ULTRA RICH BS
June 24, 2008
9:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
my3pugs writes:
Speak to kids at Alive at 25, he should do that anyway. Put him in an orange vest and have him pick trash like anyone else. Oh, I forgot, he isn't like anyone else. DWAI indeed. What crap!
June 24, 2008
9:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
gr8fuldude writes:
If the judge really wanted to punish him, he would have been sentenced to pass an English class.
June 24, 2008
10:20 a.m.
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Gean writes:
Still love you Melo! For all of you people saying that he got special treatment: My friend got the SAME EXACT DEAL, my friend is NOT A MILLIONAIRE. Stop. Whining. Idiots.
June 24, 2008
10:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
glassguy writes:
ok, lets just look at his recent past. a speeding ticket after dwai stop. give me a break. how is he able to drive? money talks and the bs walks. wonderful messages continue to be sent. nice job.
June 24, 2008
11:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
Hambone writes:
Yeah, my friend got a very similar deal for his first (and only) DUI. He also is not wealthy, not an athelete, etc. that's the way it works I guess.
June 24, 2008
11:08 a.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
mojambo and glassguy - MarineGrunt-
The reduction to DWAI in a first offense is pretty routine. I don't have numbers but I would bet more that 2 out of 3, as long as the accused was reasonable with the cops and did not get any other serious charges, or involve an accident It is actually not uncommon for even a second offense if it is not within 5 years.
I am not a fan of Carmelo, nor of most of the NBA players, who are portraying the gang culture. I don't think C.A. is the player he is hyped up to be ... an maybe even it's time for a trade to another team..
But I don't think he is receiving any special treatment, and as he is still young deserves a bit of a break, an chance to grow up and get his stuff together.
IF there is a second time, or other problems I would be among the first to say lock him up.
June 24, 2008
11:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
LingLingfor_prez writes:
So he still has his license? That should be the minimum to lose the license. Normally I would say trade him, but in this case we should trade the judge. How long until the next DUI? 3 months? 6 months?
June 24, 2008
11:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Nuggetsno1fan writes:
Enough of this already! Please trade this guy!
June 24, 2008
11:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
FlossyJ writes:
Okay it's time to be brutally honest! Melo is not getting any special treatment. Why do we get so caught up in judging people who are rich? If you were rich you would not complain about getting treated with upmost respect because of your title and success. Another point, all basketball players are not gang members, and the same clothes they were can be seen on white suburban kids at any high school. And those who are involved in gangs are at least doing something beside selling drugs to your kids. Let's face it the only way to make money as a black man is to sell drugs or play a sport, because corporate america doesnt give you a chance until you change your voice and start wearing suspenders. I think we are playing the old race card. Oh, because he's black and a millionaire he deserves to do 20 years in Burlington. Hey who know's it may have been his friends liquor in his body like the weed case a few years back. I'm glad Melo got off easy, they should have just dropped the case and let him work on his game this summer so he can shine on the court like he always does. Be careful A.I. they are coming after you next!!!
June 24, 2008
11:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
KP13 writes:
Lose of license for three months?
24 hours of level 1 education?
Monitored sobirety?
24 hours of community service.....24?
Carmelo better be real happy with this outcome, anyone else without money would have been slammed by the justice(sh%& A#%) system!
i'm not surprised though!
June 24, 2008
12:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
LingLingfor_prez -
You need to look some things up before you spout off - The judge has NOTHING to do with the Drivers License suspension.
That is done in a separate hearing at the State Motor Vehicle Department - and 90 days is the standard (no less, and no more) for a first time DUI or DWAI - 90 days period!
June 24, 2008
12:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
SickNTired writes:
In Arizona there is mandatory sentencing for DWIs. I'm not sure I agree with this, but everyone is treated the same. There is a minimum punishment that can be doled out, but judges can impose more, depending on the circumstances. Thoughts?
June 24, 2008
12:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
gs writes:
His chick would seem to be a big part of the problem. Talking on the cell while court is in session? I think the judge could have said "jail time for you Miss". Am I correct? And would she not pick him up from detox that caused a fair amount of bad press? And how about the fight that started it?
June 24, 2008
12:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
MarineGrunt "I had a friend blow a .08 and was SLAMMED by the courts"
Slammed seems pretty subjective, Just what did he get?
A point Oh eight would have certainly been dropped to a DWAI - as the case would have been very weak. Did he request a retest of the saved sample? Did he have prior non traffic but alcohol related charges (even as a minor?) Did he have a lawyer?
Was an accident involved? Was he rude and uncooperative with the cops or the courts?
Just what did he get sentenced to?
June 24, 2008
12:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
buffsblg writes:
Relax folks, this is the totally standard deal in Denver for 1st time non-accident DUI's. Feel free to disagree with the policy, but those who claim special treatment just do not know what they are talking about. The plea bargain standards for other counties are different so people may have gotten different deals elsewhere. Denver is pretty typical on this, but some counties are tougher. By the way sickNtired, there is mandatory sentencing in Colorado on second offenses, with a minimum of 7 days in jail. Many judges do more than that on a 2nd.
And as usual, lingling is just wrong (and so pompous about it). license suspensions are by DMV (as stated in the story)not the judge. Judge Jordan is smart, fair and informed, none of which would apply to ignorant idiots like lingling.
June 24, 2008
12:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Spider writes:
I want to know why LaLa even had her phone turned on while sitting in a courtroom? Isn't she supposed to be the mature one in the relationship? Or just the older one?
June 24, 2008
12:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
Spider: some people - far too many, think that the cell phone is the most important thing in their life. They are fearful to be without it, and 'connected'. I think they are very insecure people.
Look how people react when the thing rings - they drop what every they are doing, put off whoever else they are talking to and answer the damn thing. Many have to have the head set on their head all the time. They talk in the store, in line while driving.
They are Pathetic!
I rarely turn my cell phone on unless I am making a call or expecting one (less than once per day on average)only about 6 peopel even have my cell # IF it is on and in my pocket I will not stop and turn away in the middle of another covnersation just to answewer it. Others who do that to me - I simply walk away from them and END the coversation - I Will not stand their and wait for them -because it is RUDE!
as Far as LaLa - I'd chalk it up to being
1)being stupid (there are signs all over)
2)self important
3)lack of respect
4) all of the above
And yes she should have been held in contempt of court!
June 24, 2008
12:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Keno33 writes:
LALA is that a stage name? Just points out their lack of respect for society as a whole. They believe they are above all of us petty fans. NBA needs to clean up its game.
June 24, 2008
1 p.m.
Suggest removal
danirobi writes:
Who talks on their cell phone during a hearing? I mean really?!?
June 24, 2008
1:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
redwhiteandBLUE writes:
What about alcohol classes ?
What about weekly breathalyzer ?
First time offenders have to do this.
June 24, 2008
1:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
buffsblg writes:
redwhiteand blue is correct, some alcohol classes are mandatory. I think there is probably more to the story than we are getting here. Usually the plea is one day and the sentencing is set over to another day so that the defendant can have an alcohol evaluation to determine the length of counseling and the conditions of probation. My guess is that the full sentence has not been imposed and we are just not getting the full story due to incomplete reporting. More likely is that a later sentencing date will be set to complete the process. That is the standard procedure.
The cell phone is just stupid. There are signs on the courtroom door as well as common sense says do not do that. I have seen judges confiscate phones and threaten other sanctions, but most do not impose contempt for just a phone call. Judge Jordan is pretty no nonsense.
June 24, 2008
2:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
shoulder2shoulder writes:
"I put myself at risk" That says it all, who care about anybody else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
June 24, 2008
2:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
Talking on her cell phone in a courtroom? It doesn't get much more disrespectful than that!
What this comes back to for me is that because he has the luxery of being a "sports star" therefore gets paid as such & is in the public eye as such he needs to be better than the average person to set an example. It should be a requirement in order to get the paycheck. I know I am going to get jumped on for saying that. But why do we expect our politicians to be squeaky clean but we don't expect the same from sports figures & movie stars? Who are our children - the most impressionable people in our society - looking at politicians or sports figures & movie stars?
C'mon people give it to me.......
June 24, 2008
2:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
The_Punnisher writes:
The JUST-US system strikes again!! $$$ ( and fame ) talks and walks...The rest of us PAY....
On LALA:
I'd rather see her yakking on a cell phone in the judges chambers than behind the wheel...
June 24, 2008
2:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
SteveC writes:
I got 48 hours for blowing a .075 20 years ago! What a joke.
Should have thrown Lala in jail for contempt of court for being on her cell phone. What stupid disrespectful twit.
June 24, 2008
2:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
Ok marinegrunt -I am seriously disappointed. I've been with you on most of your posts but alas you have finally proven yourself to me as well as countless others that you are just another feeble minded man so easily distracted by thoughts from the wrong head that intelligent conversations could end at any moment.... Sigh... :-)
June 24, 2008
4:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
NO working actually...
WOW! I was completely kidding and expected a witty comment back not an attack? I know it's hard to decipher written comments sometimes but I thought my sigh & smiley face at the end let it be known that I was trying to have fun not trying to be a female dog - now I can be that too if need be but I don't think I need to here because I think there is a misunderstanding. Seems it's not my panties that are in a bunch though. All girls like having their nails done once in a while but I'm much more likely to save my money to travel to a beach & scuba dive than to spend it on shoes.
I'm not sure that I was asking people to attack me because of my first comment about the article - challenge my comment yes but not attack it.
June 24, 2008
4:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
ToriEllis007 writes:
Why does he have to be out shopping Marine, maybe he just has a life?
June 24, 2008
4:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
ToriEllis007 writes:
She, sorry rmnreader!
June 24, 2008
4:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
Here you all go - right from the state of Colorado Department of Revenue
Offens, Aggravators, Jail, Mandatory, Fines, UPS License Effect
DUI None 5 d. to 1 yr. None $300 to $1000 plus costs 48-96 hrs 12 points-suspension
DUI BAC>.2 90 d. to 1 yr. 10 d. $500 to $1500 plus costs 60-120 hrs 12 points-suspension
DUI Prior DWAI 70 d. to 1 yr. 7 d. $450 to $1000 plus costs 56-112 hrs poss. 1 yr. revocation
DUI Prior DUI 90 d. to 1 yr. 10 d. $500 to $1500 plus costs 60-120 hrs poss. 1 yr. revocation
DWAI None 2 to 180 d. None $100 to $500 plus costs 24-48 hrs 8 points
DWAI BAC >.2 90 d. to 1 yr. 10 d. $500 to $1500 plus costs 60-120 hrs 8 points
DWAI Prior DWAI 45 d. to 1 yr. 5 d. $300 to $1000 plus costs 48-96 hrs poss. 1 yr. revocation
DWAI Prior DUI 60 to 1 yr. 6 d. $400 to $1200 plus costs 52-104 hrs poss. 1 yr. revocation
Three life time offenses, two yr. license revocation.
Three offenses within 7 yrs., 5 yr. license revocation.
License after one year with interlock.
Interlock required for one year after 2nd offense in 5 years.
90 day license revocation for first express consent action.
1 year license revocation for second express consent action or first refusal.
The fact his was reduced to a DWAI has NO EFFECT on the Drivers Lic portion of the case, they are totally separate.
June 24, 2008
4:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
ToriEllis007 writes: She, sorry rmnreader!
LOL!
June 24, 2008
4:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
Marine Grunt -
something is not right with your JAG buddy - these latest (above) mandatory and minimum sentencing for first time DUI where updated and tougher from only about two years ago...
If your buddy got what you said and was a JAG - I submit he was
lying about the situation or the priors or exaggerating the sentence.
I cannot accept that a first timer with a .08 did not get it reduced to a DWAI - and everything about the situation is as you said...
( I am close with some one who got a 2nd - after more than 10 years and with a BAC near double the .08, went to court without a lawyer and was dropped to a DWAI and got MUCH less than your JAG Buddy, except the mandatory jail time - and was allowed to do that on work release (20 days, cut to 10 for "good time credit")
something there just does not add up?!?!
June 24, 2008
4:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
McGowdog writes:
MarineGrunt writes:
""Well... I had a friend blow a .08 and was SLAMMED by the Courts for his 1st traffic offense in his life.
So, there is some validity in the above gripes. Idiots!""
And I had a friend who knew somebody who blew a .15 and got a DWAI. A year later, they got another DWAI after blood testing to somewhere beyond .15. He got a lawyer and that's the way that went.
I knew a guy from California who got a 502 (that's what they call DUI out there) and he told the cop, "You might as well give me a 1004." The cop said, "What are you talking about?" Then Mel said, "Because I'm comin' back this way!" BAUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!XXXPPP
June 24, 2008
4:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
MarineGrunt writes:
"Plus.. you were asking for folks to attack you! The way it goes around here you were going to get blasted."
Funny that you seem to be the only one who felt this way.....
June 24, 2008
5:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
McGowdog, and that makes the griped about C.A. getting special treatment valid why?
you are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts!
you know - just cause some yahoo types it into this site does not make it true!
End the name calling as well - you're simply showing that you like LaLa have no respect for anyone - not even your self - and thereby weaken your own argument.
Grow up!
June 24, 2008
6:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Vector049 writes:
Marine Grunt: Take five already. It's only a news article. If you need to vent your frustrated testosterone impulses from 10,000 years ago, why don't you go and dig a 6x6x3 ditch and bury yourself in it.
June 24, 2008
8:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
maithoughts writes:
I got the same sentence in Jefferson County with a .164 BAC as he got, with his lawyer that charged him as much as I make in a year. I was self represented. While doing classes I met many folks who got the same sentence after paying thousands of dollars in lawyer fees. The system is nothing more than a formula based on BAC and prior offences>
June 24, 2008
10:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
American100 writes:
You can give losers these as much money as you want, neither Melo nor Lala will ever have an ounce of class.
June 25, 2008
2:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
Well he needed to go to jail to straighten his worthless pos life out.
Next year it will be something new and fun for him to wiggle his sorry excuse for a behind out of.
I wonder how many other people did not get the special treatment this year.
Who are probably in jail and wondering how he got probation.
Well hope he can behave himself and keep his gangsta lifestyle under the radar.
My mistake once a ghetto rat always a ghetto rat.
All the money in the world will never make you a better person.
Just look at this guy as a example for what you hope your children will never grow up to be.