A University of Connecticut associate professor has been charged with failure to signal turn and driving under the influence after a June 14 incident in Vernon. According to reports, the man was heading down Route 30 and was turning into this apartment complex when an officer stopped him around 8:30 p.m. for allegedly not signaling the turn. Bond for the DUI and failure to signal charges was set at $2,500.
Unfortunately, this was not the 47-year-old's first arrest. In May, officers reportedly came to the man's apartment because there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest. According to reports, the officers went to the apartment to perform a welfare check on the man, but he allegedly refused to open the door. Officers used a key to open the door and emergency responders deemed that the man required a mental health evaluation at a local hospital, according to police. The man is alleged to have spit in one officer's face and kicked him during the incident.
He was charged with assault on a police officer with bail set at $100,000 for that charge. The 47-year-old has apparently been placed on administrative leave and is scheduled to appear in court on June 16.
Everyone makes mistakes and those under the influence of alcohol or other substances may have compromised judgment. A drunk driving conviction can have a serious impact on a person's life and — as seen in this case — employment. When an incident involves an altercation with police, the stakes are raised even more, making it crucial for defendants to understand all of their defense options and how they can protect their rights.
Source: NBC Connecticut, "UConn Professor on Leave Accused of Another Drunken Incident" No author given, Jun. 17, 2014