Ex-Prosecutor Beats Rap on 4th DWI, Will Keep Law License, After Police Ticket-Fix Scandal Exposed
A New York attorney who formerly served as a prosecutor in the Bronx was found not guilty in a felony drunken driving case today by a Bronx Supreme Court jury.
If convicted of driving while intoxicated, Stephen Lopresti could have lost his law license. He has three prior DWI convictions on his record, leading to the felony charge this time around, reports the New York Post.
“One thing I’m going to do is I’m going to go to church and thank my lawyers,” said Lopresti as he left the courthouse. He has practiced in the Bronx since 1978.
Members of the jury said they simply didn’t believe the testimony of the police officers in the case against Lopresti. The officers admitted that they had fixed a few traffic tickets, and a grand jury investigation of the police department concerning its ticket practices is ongoing, the newspaper says.
Attorney Steven Epstein, who defended Lopresti, says the case should send a message to New York City officials about the importance of having a police department with perceived integrity.
Earlier coverage:
New York Times: “In Testimony, an Officer Admits She Fixed Tickets”
New York Times: “Ticket-Fixing Case Tests Officers on the Stand”
