LAKEPORT — The Lake County District Attorney”s Office recently filed charges against Lakeport city attorney Steven J. Brookes stemming from his February arrest for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI) and fleeing the scene of a crash.
Brookes faces misdemeanor counts of DUI, DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more and hit-and-run causing property damage, according to the case filed on May 20. A California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigation alleged that Brookes was under the influence of alcohol when the Volvo he was driving struck another vehicle near the intersection of Main and State streets in Kelseyville around 7:10 p.m. on Feb. 10.
Brookes, who allegedly fled the scene, was located, arrested and then booked into the Lake County Jail more than two hours later.
A blood sample taken that night had been sent to the state”s Department of Justice laboratory in Santa Rosa by a local CHP officer, but it got lost in the mail, according to court documents.
A first-time DUI defendant would typically face no jail time, three years of probation, driver”s license suspension, a standard fine and other associated costs, if convicted, according to chief deputy district attorney Richard Hinchcliff. Restitution for property damage and jail time could be added to a sentence for a DUI conviction associated with a non-injury hit-and-run, Hinchcliff said.
Brookes, who operates a private practice in Lakeport in addition to holding the half-time position with the city, offered no comment about the facts of the case when contacted by the Record-Bee Tuesday. His arraignment is scheduled for June 28.
