SENATOR DAVID JAYE POSTS:
In 1984, Jaye was charged with drunk driving. It would be his first of three drunk driving offenses between 1984 and 2000. When Senator Jaye was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend in November 2000 and April 2000, he was on probation for his third drunk-driving offense.
Sen. Jaye arrested on suspicion of drunken driving
The Argus-Press
Owosso, Michigan
March 6, 2000
Macomb Township, Mich. [AP] - State Sen. David Jaye was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and failed a Breathalyzer test early Sunday, a sheriff's inspector said.
Jaye, who has faced drunken driving charges previously, was stopped by sheriff's deputies around 1:30 a.m. on state Highway 59 and released on $100 bond about 6 a.m. Sunday, Macomb County sheriff's Inspector Mark Hackel said. Jaye cooperated with the deputies, Hackel said.
Because Jaye has not been arraigned and the information has not yet been forwarded to prosecutors, Hackel said he could not disclose Jaye's blood-alcohol content though he said he failed the breath test. A blood-alcohol content of 0.10 percent or higher is considered drunk driving under Michigan law.
Jaye's attorney, Rob Huth, said Sunday afternoon he hadn't had a chance to review the sheriff's department report.
"It is my understanding that his blood-alcohol was right at or around the legal limit adn there may be mitigating circumstances. If not, I expect him to square up and take responsibility for his actions," Huth said.
A message seeking comment was left on Jaye's answering machine Sunday afternoon.
"I have been a strong supporter of and always voted for tough drunk driving laws that we are all subject to," Jaye said in statement released by his office.
"I am seeking counsel from my family and friends and ask for their prayer during this trying time."
Jaye, a Washington Township Republican, served three weekends in jail in 1993 for drunken driving.
He was arrested Feb. 2, 1993, after rolling through a stop sign in rural Webberville, about 20 miles east of Lansing. He was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor and having an unlawful bodily alcohol content above 0.10 percent.
Jaye's license was suspended for six weeks and restricted for six months.
He also was ticketed in 1984 in Sterling Heights for operating a vehicle while impaired by liquor.
Three years ago, Jaye said he had put the 1993 case behind him.
"I said I wouldn't be drinking and driving any more," he said then. "I'm married now. Getting married changes a person's lifestyle and priorities."
Jaye is a conservative Republican who was first elected to the state house in 1993. He has discussed running against U.S. Rep. David Bonior, although he announced in November that he was putting off a decision on whether to run to concentrate on a petition drive calling for public funding of private schools.
If convicted following Sunday's arrest, Jaye could face 40 hours to one year in jail, fines ranging from $200 to $1000, 30 to 90 days of community service, and loss of a driver's license, the Detroit News said.
"He's not looking for any special treatment and he's still a supporter of tough laws," Huth told the Detroit Free Press.
