Randy Travis Sentenced in Drunk Driving Incident
Randy Travis could be going to prison. The troubled country star has been sentenced to 180 days in jail for a drunk-driving incident in August of 2012, when he was found lying naked in a road after crashing his car into a construction zone, with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.15.
The "Forever and Ever Amen" singer, who pleaded guilty in the case, can avoid doing any time behind bars if he follows the judge's strict orders. His sentence was probated for two years, which means if he stays out of trouble in that time, he can remain a free man. The 53-year-old was also sentenced to 100 hours of community service and a minimum of 30 days in an in-patient treatment facility for alcohol addiction. He must also have an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he is operating, and pay a $2000 fine.
The Grand Ole Opry member had a charge of retaliation for allegedly threatening officers dropped as part of the plea deal. Still, he did not receive any preferential treatment because of his celebrity status.
"First time DWI defendants are rarely forced into in-patient treatment," District Attorney Joe Brown said (quote via ABC News). "He will be unable to leave the facility for 30 days. His fine and community service requirements are more than double what is usually received, and his probation term is the maximum available, and longer than the usual 18 months. All of that is appropriate in light of his behavior with the officers."
This latest sentence is part of a string of legal woes for the musician. He was first arrested in February of 2012 for public intoxication, after he was found parked in front of a church in Texas with an open bottle of alcohol. Later in August, he was charged with simple assault, after getting into a physical altercation with a man, also outside of a church, who was arguing with his estranged wife. The country music icon reached a plea deal in that case, which granted him a 90-day deferred sentence, which means if he successfully completes probation from that case, he won't have to do any jail time for that incident.
Randy, who says he has stopped drinking alcohol, plans on performing several shows over the next few months. See all of his upcoming concerts here.
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