Del. Thomas Baker

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus ready, willing and able to give you a free pass on a drunk driving
charge if you are one of the good old boys

From Roanoke Times
One of the more eyebrow-raising stories in last week’s paper came on Tuesday. It was about the outcome of a common DUI charge. The defendant, Dublin town attorney and former state  Del. Thomas Baker, was arrested in March in Pulaski County.

What happened in court was rather uncommon. Baker avoided a DUI conviction, which is unusual though not unheard of. It appears he did that by refusing a blood-alcohol test.

The result was a plea bargain. Baker was found guilty of reckless driving, fined $500 and ordered to complete a course with the Virginia Alcohol Safety program.

This is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, someone who drinks too much and drives might regard Baker’s actions as a useful primer on what to do and what not to do if pulled over by a cop after drinking.

That’s because DUI convictions are no trifling matter….MORE