Jaye is held in drunken driving
Tougher laws may now turn on him
Detroit Free Press
March 6, 2000
With one drunken-driving conviction and another arrest for the offense Sunday, Republican state Sen. David Jaye may now be subjected to the very laws he supported to toughen punishments for repeat offenders. The controversial, conservative lawmaker from Washington Township, who has also been convicted of driving while impaired, will likely learn today what charges he now faces. Jaye, 42, was arrested about 1:30 a.m. Sunday on M-59 near Heydenreich in Macomb Township. He was taken to...
State senator arrested for drunken driving
The Blade
Toledo, Ohio
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.
Mr. Jaye, who previously has faced drunken driving charges, was stopped by sheriff's deputies around 1:30 a.m. on M-59 and released on $100 bond about 6 a.m. Sunday, Macomb County sheriff's Inspector Mark Hackel said.
Jaye held on alcohol charge
If guilty for second time in 7 years, he faces jail, loss of car
Detroit News, The (MI)
March 6, 2000
MACOMB TOWNSHIP -- Outspoken State Sen. David Jaye has been arrested again for drunken driving and, if convicted, could face up to a year in jail, revocation of his driver's license and a possible forfeiture of his vehicle.
Jaye, R-Washington Township, was pulled over at 1:30 a.m. Sunday by Macomb County Sheriff's deputies on Hall Road near Heydenreich. After he failed a breath test, he was held in the county jail for nearly five hours until he was sober, police said. Jaye posted $100 bond and was freed.
"I have been a strong supporter of, and always voted for, tough drunk driving laws that we are all subject to," Jaye said in a statement released from his office. "I am seeking counsel from my family and friends and ask for their prayers during this trying time."
Insp. Mark Hackel of the Macomb County Sheriff's Department declined to release Jaye's blood alcohol level and the reasons why deputies pulled him over until the Macomb County Prosecutors Office approves a warrant today or Tuesday. A driver with a 0.1 percent blood-alcohol level is considered legally drunk in Michigan.
"He tested and the results indicated he was over the legal limit," Hackel said, adding that Jaye cooperated with police.
If convicted, this would be the senator's second drunken driving offense in seven years.
He was convicted for operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor in April 1993 for an incident in February near Webberville, about 20 miles east of Lansing, where he had been driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent.
State law penalizes drivers with two drunken driving convictions within seven years with 48 hours to one year in jail, fines between $200 and $1,000, 10 to 90 days of community service, loss of a driver's license, and other penalties.
Jaye, a lawmaker first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1988, also was convicted in 1985 in Sterling Heights for operating a vehicle while impaired, according to records from the Secretary of State Office. Drivers operating a vehicle while impaired have a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.07 percent but less than 0.1 percent.
Lawyer says Jaye had been drinking
He questions if Senator was drunk at his arrest
Detroit Free Press
March 7, 2000
State Sen. David Jaye's lawyer said Monday that the veteran lawmaker had been drinking before he got behind the wheel early Sunday. The question, he said, is whether Jaye was driving drunk at the time he was arrested. "He regrets the incident," said Jaye's lawyer, Robert Huth. "He wishes he had not put himself in a position to be arrested." Jaye said Monday that he was troubled by a recent divorce and the...
Jaye drunken-driving arrest sparks interest in pledge
Detroit News, The (MI)
March 7, 2000
RICHMOND TOWNSHIP -- When a drunken driver struck and killed his high school classmate, a state legislator from Macomb County began asking his colleagues in Lansing to sign a pledge that they would resign if convicted of drunken driving.
By coincidence, Rep. Alan Sanborn's pledge is reaching the Michigan Senate at the same time that state Sen. David Jaye, a fellow Republican from nearby Washington Township, is charged of having a blood-alcohol level of .11 when he was arrested for drunk driving early Sunday in Macomb County. A driver with a level of .10 is considered legally drunk in Michigan.
Sanborn, a Republican, of Richmond Township has been collecting signatures in the Michigan House of Representatives for about six weeks to his Robert Brown Memorial Pledge. Brown was a Dryden Township police officer and high school classmate of Sanborn's who was killed by a drunken driver in December.
Sanborn refused Monday to identify which lawmakers or how many had signed the resign-if-convicted pledge.
"The leaderships of both parties have asked me not to divulge that information," Sanborn added. "They feel it could be embarrassing to any legislator who has not signed.
"But a sizable portion of the House members have signed already. And we are just starting (to circulate it) in the Senate," he said.
A spokesman for Jaye said he hasn't signed Sanborn's pledge because he hasn't been asked to. Jaye could not be reached for comment.
Sanborn refused to comment about Jaye's early Sunday morning arrest.
Macomb County Prosecutor Carl Marlinga said Jaye was observed by deputy sheriffs weaving in his car on Hall Road. The senator had left a sports bar earlier.
Jaye was charged Monday with his second offense of operating under the influence of liquor. The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, revocation of one's driver's license, plus fines and community service.
Jaye had been convicted of drunken driving in 1993 for an incident near Lansing.
Marlinga said Jaye also was convicted of drunken driving in 1985, but because that conviction occurred more than 10 years ago, prosecutors could not file a third-offense charge, which is a felony.
Jaye remains free on bond, pending his arraignment later this week.
Alice Johnson-Stacy, executive director of the Macomb County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said she thinks Jaye should be held to a higher standard because of his legislative positions.
"Should he have the right to pass laws that he's not willing to abide by?" Johnson-Stacy asked.
Jaye signs into alcohol treatment
Senator won't disclose specifics of program chosen after second drunken driving charge
Detroit News, The (MI)
March 12, 2000
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Sen. David Jaye, arrested last weekend on his second drunken driving charge, has entered an alcohol treatment program that he said won't interrupt his legislative duties.
The unidentified counseling program takes place during weekends and evenings, but the 44-year-old Republican lawmaker wouldn't give any details when asked about his treatment approach Saturday.
"I've met with physicians, clergy and I'm working on a very intensive program that's been put together by these individuals," he said from his Washington Township home. He declined to say more.
Jaye issued a public apology Friday. The senator, who repeatedly has emphasized his support of tough drunken driving laws, said in a three-paragraph statement:
"I sincerely regret the disappointment and embarrassment I have caused my family, friends and constituents. I made a mistake and I fully accept responsibility for my action. I will do everything in my power to restore your faith and trust in me."
He also disclosed that he has "met with other members of the Legislature who have overcome similar problems."
Jaye was pulled over at 1:30 a.m. last Sunday by sheriff's deputies on Hall Road in Macomb Township. After he failed a breath test, he was held in the county jail for nearly five hours until he was sober, authorities said. Jaye posted a $100 bond.
If convicted, this would be the senator's second drunken driving offense in seven years.
He was convicted for operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor in April 1993 for an incident near Webberville, about 20 miles east of Lansing, where he had been driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent.
Michigan motorists with two drunken driving convictions within seven years face these maximum penalties: one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, 90 days of community service and loss of a driver's license.
Jaye, elected to the House of Representatives in 1988, won an open Senate seat in March 1998.
He earlier was convicted in 1985 in Sterling Heights for operating a vehicle while impaired, according to records from the Secretary of State Office. Drivers operating a vehicle while impaired have a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.07 percent but less than 0.1 percent.
Senate Majority Leader Dan DeGrow, R-Port Huron, said last week that "any possible action by the Senate will wait until the legal proceedings have been concluded."
A senator's offense
Jackson Citizen Patriot (MI)
March 15, 2000
State Sen. David Jaye, R-Washington, has been a strong supporter of tough drunken-driving laws. His recent arrest on drunken-driving charges is, therefore, full of irony.
For one thing, this is the second time since 1984 he has been charged with driving under the influence of liquor. His driver's license was seized and destroyed at his arrest on March 5, and he is facing some of those tough drunken-driving laws he helped to craft. He could lose his license and forfeit his car.
In a related matter, State Rep. Alan Sanborn, R-Richmond, has been distributing a voluntary pledge that would commit a lawmaker to resign from office if convicted of drunken driving. We think that is overkill. Yes, those who make laws should be careful to obey them. And certainly, lawmakers should be subject to the same harsh penalties as any other citizen in the same circumstances. But a higher standard for lawmakers is not necessary.
Whether the offender is Joe Skidoo from Kalamazoo or David Jaye from the Senate, let each stand on level ground before the magistrate. Then let the court impose punishment evenhandedly, without showing greater leniency or harshness because the offender is a senator.
