Assemblyman Martin Garrick had a blood alcohol level almost twice the legal limit when he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving last month, according to court documents released this week.
Garrick's arraignment, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed until Aug. 15 at his attorney's request.
California Highway Patrol bicycle officers arrested the Solana Beach Republican and former Assembly GOP leader June 15 in the state Capitol garage. According to a CHP spokesman, Garrick had been speeding in his state-owned vehicle, failed to stop at a stop sign and showed signs of intoxication.
The Sacramento County district attorney's complaint alleges that Garrick was driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 percent or more. The legal limit is 0.08 percent. If convicted, Garrick faces nearly $2,400 in fines and penalties as well as a combination of probation, about 48 hours on a work project, a four-month driver's license suspension and about three months of alcohol abuse classes.
Garrick's attorney, Donald Heller, said he asked for a postponement so he could have more time to review the prosecution's evidence.
Garrick was cited and released rather than held in jail overnight. Heller said Garrick was ill with the flu, and officers ultimately felt he could take care of himself and not be of harm to other individuals. The CHP has not yet released a copy of the arrest report.
Garrick's office did not respond to calls for comment this week.
In a statement shortly after the arrest, Garrick apologized to his constituents and vowed to never again drink and drive. Heller said Garrick would "forthrightly and honestly" deal with the court matter.
As of June 16, Garrick is no longer using a state-issued vehicle, according to Lynda Roper, deputy administrative officer for the Assembly Rules Committee. Heller said Garrick received a temporary license, pending an administrative hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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