A man in Oklahoma is facing multiple charges, including drunk driving and child endangerment, following a traffic stop that occurred over the first weekend of December 2014. According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, a 13-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl were passengers in a vehicle operated by their 43-year-old father when the man was pulled over for undisclosed reasons. During the incident, police found open alcoholic beverage containers inside the vehicle.
Reports indicate that the alleged drunk driver was unable to produce a driver's license or proof of insurance when asked to do so. A report published on Dec. 8 indicated that the charged man's son told officials that he attempted to help his father control the steering wheel during the incident.
There are few additional details available about this case. After he bonded out of court, news sources reportedly tracked the charged driver to his home, but the man declined to answer any questions. A statement made by police indicated that no one was injured during the incident and that the children were placed in the care of family members.
In Oklahoma, every DUI is a serious matter. However, Norman-area residents may want to be aware that the presence of minor children in a vehicle during a drunk driving incident is considered an aggravating factor that could substantially increase the severity of any consequences. A lengthy jail sentence is only one of the life-altering penalties that may be associated with a conviction.
In cases such as this, charged individuals may find it beneficial to avoid discussing a drunk driving incident with anyone until they have had the opportunity to review their situation with an attorney. The attorney may be able to identify issues in the prosecution's case that could potentially lead to a mitigation or dismissal of the charges.
Source: KOCO.com, "Dad arrested on suspicion of drunk driving; Son admits to steering the wheel", Dave Detling, December 08, 2014
