Dakota County Judge Charged with Christmas Eve DWI
Police say Apple Valley resident Michael V. Sovis had a blood-alcohol level of .28—more than three times the legal limit, according to a report in the Pioneer Press.
A Dakota County judge arrested for an alleged DWI on Christmas Eve was so intoxicated that he had trouble standing, according to a Pioneer Press report.
Michael Vann Sovis, 63, faces two gross misdemeanor counts of third-degree DWI following the arrest, which took place just before 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 in St. Paul.
Sovis, who has served as a judge since 1988, allegedly crashed his Lexus sport-utility vehicle into several parked cars along St. Clair Avenue before driving into a snowbank on the side of the road, according to a criminal complaint cited by the Pioneer Press.
Sovis allegedly had difficulty completing field sobriety tests administered by police at the scene, and at one point needed the support of an officer to keep from falling. Sovis' blood-alcohol level registered at .28, more than three times the legal limit of .08, according to the report.
Sovis, an Apple Valley resident, was booked into jail on Monday, but was released Tuesday morning after posting a $12,000 bail, according to the Pioneer Press.
Heather
6:49 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
Despicable! My Uncle was killed three years ago by a drunk driver in Lakeville on Christmas Eve. I sure hope this wasn't the judge that heard his trial. If he was, that might explain why the drunk driver in my deceased Uncles trial got off so easily! You make me sick and should know better. Shame on you Judge Sovis! You are a hypocrite and should be stripped of your job title.
jim hartman
7:48 am on Monday, December 31, 2012
I hope you get the same cell as your accused.
wendy
7:38 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
You probably wont get a sentence that you gave others but your not the first judge to drink and drive. If you didn't hit a car you would of got away with it.