Why didn't Harbin simply plead guilty from the beginning instead of seeking delays? The nearly 18-month process did nothing but cost taxpayers money and Harbin my vote!
ATLANTA -- State Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Evans, pleaded guilty to reckless driving this morning in Atlanta Municipal Court to end his long-running DUI case, which stemmed from a late-night crash near the Capitol in May 2007.
Judge Herman Sloan sentenced Mr. Harbin to 12 months' probation and ordered him to attend DUI risk-reduction classes and perform 100 hours of community service.
The powerful House Appropriations Committee chairman has already paid roughly $1,500 in fines and court costs, his attorney said, and his probation will terminate after he completes the classes and community service.
Mr. Harbin, who did not speak with reporters after court, has said he would take responsibility for his actions. His attorney, Robert Highsmith, said today’s plea accomplished just that.
“He’s taken responsibility for what the solicitor ultimately decided to charge him with,” Mr. Highsmith said. “We’re pleased that he was able to put the matter behind him today with a plea to that charge.”
Before the plea, Mr. Harbin, 44, was set to be tried on charges of driving under the influence, failing to maintain a lane and failing to report striking a fixed object.
His driver’s license will not be suspended.
Assistant City Solicitor Warren Atkinson would not comment on the case and referred questions to City Solicitor Raines Carter, who did not immediately return calls.
In a police report, an Atlanta police officer said Mr. Harbin was glassy eyed, smelled of alcohol and refused to submit to a blood test.
The lawmaker’s case was delayed several times as his attorney worked with prosecutors toward resolving the charges.
Mr. Harbin was arrested after he struck a telephone pole in his silver Nissan Maxima around 1 a.m. about a mile from the Capitol in Atlanta.
He told an arresting officer that he had swerved to avoid hitting a pedestrian in the roadway.
Witnesses near the crash scene told police they did not see any pedestrians or other vehicles in the area.
Police were unable to find skid marks on the pavement. No one was injured in the crash.
Comments
Why didn't Harbin simply plead guilty from the beginning instead of seeking delays? The nearly 18-month process did nothing but cost taxpayers money and Harbin my vote!
From this point on anyone charged with DUI can just rely on the Harbin defense. Refuse the test, and after a year and a half a pricey lawyer will make it all go away.
Oh wait, that only works if you are a powerful lawmaker. And, the stupid people in his district continue to return him to Atlanta. I guess we are better off with him drinking and driving there than here.
I bet the house his community service will be served at the public library. He won't be picking up any paper along the highway. Justice for the well-off and justice for the poor. I've seen it happen too many times.
0517632......delaying his case doesn't cost you a damn dime dude...he pays his own lawyers, and court goes on every day anyway,what cost taxpayers like hell is holding people in jail to go to trial on nonviolent crimes,driving charges,etc.
i highly doubt someone who shoplifts a 5.00 lipstick is going to flee the country, but they get held in jail for weeks or monts if they can't make bond, and we pay the tab...ridiculous.....you are only indignant beacause of ben's job, not the charge or outcome...somewhere on his resume' it says "human being" i'm sure....so throw your stone back on the ground.....
way to go Ben! You really took responsibility for your drunken actions or did You? Lets see putting the case off while your wormy lawyer worked a sweethart deal you poor soul...WE ALL SAW THIS ONE COMING, A LONG TIME AGO>>>>
berryoakley, you are wrong about getting a deal only if you are a powerful law maker. I work for an attorney and this happens all the time with regular joes who made a mistake for the first time. It only gets difficult if you are a repeat offender. Maybe the stupid people that continue to send him to Atlanta can relate with him better now that they see he is human and made a mistake?? All I'm saying is that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Worry about yourself. I bet there will come a time when you make a mistake and you will most likely want the best deal you can get...what ever the mistake may be. I'm not defending Harbin, I am defending everyone that has ever made a mistake.
This dui escape has nothing to do with who harbin is. There are [filtered word] repeat offenders with 4, 5, 6 driving around our streets at all times because of unscrupulous lawyers who defend the [filtered word]'s, the judges who give them slaps on the wrist, and the lawmakers who do not change the laws to punish these [filtered word] drunk drivers appropriately!!!!!!
Playlikethunder. I kinda have a different take on 05176whatever. I feel if you plead not guilty of a crime and are found GUILTY, you should be severly (read that incarcerated) punished. A person who knowingly pleads not guilty is just playing the system and really has no remorse for his crime and little respect for the law. The reason people who spend times in jail for lipstick crimes is because they plead not guilty and don't ask for a speedy trial.
While it is true that some 1st offender DUI defendents get similar "slap on the wrist" sentences, it's disturbing that our local representative wasn't held to a higher standard. What a great example he sets for our children: Lie about the incident (deniy DUI), refuse to cooperate with authorities (refuse breathalizer),
expecting public sympathy and then not even owning up to your DUI. When you hold a position of power and respect, you should be able to fill those shoes. Mr. Harbin, you clearly have not. I would not hold you as an example of a respectable man to my children. You should've taken it in the chin, taken accountability for your wrong, learned from your mistake and then moved on with your life. Instead you chose the well-traveled road of a coward. Shame on you!
We will get him,dont worry. BTW, my grandma is still alive...YEah
I love how quiet Conservatives are about Ben Harbin's admission just after they all re-elected him. Everyone knew this was a stall tactic to get him re-elected so he wouldn't have this hanging over his head while folks were in the ballot box. This is typical Conservative hypocrisy and exactly why we shouldn't vote for McCain and any other Conservative liar. They preach morality for self & political interests.
i have made that same mistake anyone is capable of getting a dui that drinks i disagree with drinking and driving but everybody makes mistakes i learned from mine hopefully harbin will also i also was charged with a dui booked in to jail i was there maybe a hour i didn't cost the taxpayers either i hired an attorney and got mine dropped to wreckless driving also. i am no politician or anybody special with alot of money.i also didn't get any classes to take or any community service. so what he got is definetly not because of who he is.
I am all for giving Mr. Harbin a second chance. If he killed or injured another person then he should be OUT. Also, another drunken driving charge should impede his next re-election.
I consider myself more on the conservative side cparker. I think Harbin should resign or be removed from office. He got caught this time but ask any police officer and they will tell you anyone that gets caught for DUI has done it lots of times before. Try not to stereotype so much.
And why wasn't his license suspended? Others who have appeared in court for the same/similar offense have theirs suspended. Guess it pays to be one of the "good ole' boys."
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