Question Details

Will Riverbank councilman Jesse James White be found guilty of driving under the influence?

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Will Riverbank councilman Jesse James White be found guilty of driving under the influence?

Asked by: Super UserKentoine Johnson in General » Crime
Settled on 06/10/2013 17:19 Settled by Super UserKentoine Johnson

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Background

Stanislaus County prosecutors Friday charged Riverbank City Councilman Jesse James White with drunken driving and causing an injury to his 4-year-old son, as well as hit-and-run driving and resisting a police officer in connection with a Feb. 20 traffic accident.

Prosecutors allege White's blood-alcohol level was 0.24 percent, three times the limit at which a driver is considered to be under the influence.

White, 23, wrecked his Corvette about 1 a.m. Feb. 20 in Oakdale. Police claim he crashed into a parked car on F Street and then tried to flee before being tackled and held by bystanders until officers arrived.


His 4-year-old son was in the Corvette and suffered a bloody nose.

White, who is not in custody after posting bail, entered an alcohol abuse treatment center this week, according to his attorney. He is scheduled to be arraigned March 21.

"He is going to be in court for his arraignment and plead not guilty to all the charges," said Modesto attorney Mary Lynn Belsher, who represents White. Belsher said prosecutors have overcharged her client.

But prosecutors have consistently said they charge defendants based on the law, facts and circumstances of each case they handle.

White does not plan to resign from the council. City Attorney Tom Hallinan has said White's absences from council meetings while he is in rehab will be considered a medical leave.

White was elected in November 2008 at age 19. He had name recognition in his favor. His grandfather Dave White, 73, served on the council for nearly two decades.

White has been a controversial public figure.

A July 2009 county civil grand jury report concluded that he was not a registered voter in Riverbank when he took out his papers to run for office, as required by state election law. And he was on probation for misdemeanor "wet and reckless" driving when he was elected.

He was arrested in May 2010 on drug possession charges after sheriff's deputies said they found small amounts of marijuana and cocaine during a probation search of White's apartment and car. He resolved that case by pleading guilty to a misdemeanor last year. He also was required to complete a 20-hour drug-and- alcohol education class, which he did in the fall.

White has survived two attempts to recall him from office.

In his most recent case, he is charged with the felonies of driving under the influence, causing an injury and making an unsafe turn; hit-and-run driving with an injury; and permitting a child to suffer under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death.

He also is charged with the misdemeanors of hit-and-run driving and resisting a police officer by means of threats and violence. Bystanders and police have said White told them he was Jesse James White and they would regret their actions.

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/03/02/2095052/prosecuters-riverbank-councilmans.html#storylink=omni_popular#storylink=cpy

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