Ex-Congressman Sweeney Must Surrender License
Posted on Wednesday, 14 of October , 2009 at 5:48 pm
CLIFTON PARK—Former Congressman John Sweeney learned that refusing to take a breathalyzer test has serious consequences.
Sweeney, 54, of Clifton Park who has been indicted by a Saratoga grand jury for felony driving while intoxicated, has been ordered following a hearing to surrender his driver’s license for the next 18 months. Because he has been previously convicted for DWI, he will not be able to obtain a conditional license.
Sweeney was stopped by State Police on April 5 on State Route 9 for speeding after police said they clocked him in radar traveling at at 59 mph in a 40 mph zone. Sweeney had refused both the breath and blood alcohol tests.
The court has found that police had probable cause to arrest Sweeney for driving while intoxicated. He was also charged with speeding. He is currently free on $2,000 bail and pleaded not guilty at arraignment in August. If convicted, he faces up to four years in state prison.
Sweeney has completed a residential drug and alcohol treatment program.
Sweeney’s arrest in April was his second driving while intoxicated arrest in less than 18 months. The charge became a felony as he has a prior DWI conviction in 2007.
Sweeney was dethroned as Congressman by Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand in the 2006 election. http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2009/05/06/sweeney_court/ 10-14-09
Category: Courts, Crime, New York State, Police, Politics
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