Police Officer Pleads Guilty to DUI; Avoids Jail Time

A San Diego detective will avoid jail time for driving under the influence of alcohol, according to NBC7. Detective Jeffrey Blackford, 34, plead guilty to DUI and reckless driving following an accident on December 7, 2012, in which he crashed his vehicle into a utility box.

Blackford was not on duty at the time of the incident, but was driving an undercover vehicle issued by the San Diego Police Department. Blackford admitted to driving recklessly and under the influence.

Judge Joshua Maguire told reporters he decided not to sentence Blackford to a possible 60-day jail sentence, in part because it would mean he would lose his job with the police department. Initial reports had Blackford registering a .15 percent BAC and speeding as fast as 91 mph in a 45 mph zone—that would make him nearly double the legal BAC limit and double the speed limit. A later blood test registered Blackford with a .09 BAC however, and the official citation listed his speeds at 74 mph.

Do you think Judge Maguire is letting Blackford off easily here? Would he be as concerned with someone potentially losing his or her job in the private sector?

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