New York basketball fans had to do without Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd for two games at the start of the season. He was suspended by the NBA after pleading guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated. Kidd would miss the first two games opening basketball’s regular season, against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland and against the Miami Heat at home. Analysts expected the suspension as well as its length because other players and coaches had been given the same penalty after convictions or pleas on drunk driving charges.
The DWI charge came after a 2012 incident in which Kidd ran into a telephone pole while driving his SUV. His guilty plea to misdemeanor drunk driving resulted not only in his NBA suspension, but also a year of probation and the requirement if giving talks to Long Island students to help convince them not to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The general manager of the Nets said that the decision was consistent with what the National Basketball League had done in the past, adding that he looked forward to Kidd leading their team, starting with a game against Orlando and continuing through the rest of the year. The manager also said that Kidd had taken responsibility for his actions and realized that he needed to grow from the experience.
Whether one is a basketball star or just a weekend hoops warrior, anyone can be hit with DWI charges. A Poughkeepsie, New York attorney with a background in drunk driving defense may be able to assist clients accused of aggravated DWI, felony DWI or any DWI offenses. An attorney’s services could include negotiating a plea bargain that might help the accused individual avoid a jail sentence.
Source: USA Today, “Nets coach Jason Kidd suspended for 2 games“, Jeff Zillgitt, October 04, 2013
