Patrick Kennedy Pleads Guilty

Patrick Kennedy has entered a plea of guilty to driving under the influence and has been ordered to undergo court monitored drug treatment and one year of probation. He was also given a ten day jail sentence which he would serve if he violates the other terms of the sentence.

Kennedy, D-R.I., also was ordered to pay at least $350 in connection with his middle-of-the-night car crash last month near the Capitol.

Two other charges against Kennedy were dismissed: reckless driving and failure to exhibit a driving permit.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Kennedy entered his plea Tuesday afternoon before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Aida Melendez.

"I am pleading guilty to driving under the influence," Kennedy said.

Melendez ordered Kennedy to undergo court-monitored drug treatment and pay $350 — $250 of which would go to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, and $100 to a crime victims' fund. She also gave Kennedy a 10-day jail sentence that he would serve if he violated the terms of his probation, and she ordered him to serve 50 hours of community service with the boys and girls club.

Interesting. I had not even heard he had been charged. Good move to handle it at once and in public. Cynthia McKinney should maybe pay attention here.