DUI is a Real Drag for Federal Bankruptcy Judge
By: Gerri L. Elder
When a person is arrested for DUI, the situation is often unique and can sometimes even be bizarre. When police in Manchester, New Hampshire responded to the scene of a minor traffic accident on February 6, the scene was rather shocking.
According to news reports, Boston-based U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Somma, 63, had rear-ended a pickup truck with his Mercedes-Benz E320 sedan, and he appeared to be intoxicated.
When the news first broke about Somma's DUI arrest, many people were shocked. However, the most shocking information about the arrest was not initially released. When the facts came out, the story became more than surprising and was upgraded to absolutely bizarre.
The first report said that Somma had trouble finding his driver's license to give to police who responded to the scene. It was later revealed that he had misplaced it in his purse. The judge was in full drag when he had the unfortunate accident that led to his DUI arrest. He was reportedly wearing the perfect little black dress, fishnet stockings and high heels and had consumed too much alcohol to be driving.
According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, an anonymous official disclosed that Somma told police that his wife was out of town and that he had decided to go to Manchester so that no one would know who he was.
Police say that at the scene of the accident, Somma had a difficult time maintaining his balance and slurred his speech. They also noticed that he smelled of alcohol so he was asked to take a field sobriety test, which he failed.
Somma was arrested for suspicion of DUI and taken to the police station for a breath test. The Union Leader reports that he registered a blood alcohol content of .12 percent. He reportedly told police that he had consumed two gin and tonic drinks at a pub approximately two hours earlier.
The judge pleaded guilty to a first offense misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge and has announced that he will resign effective April 1, 2008 and will remain on leave until that time. He was ordered to pay $600 in fines and penalties and his driver's license will be suspended for 12 months. If Somma completes an alcohol awareness course and a driver's education course, he may have his license reinstated after six months.
Somma was appointed a First Circuit Court bankruptcy judge in 2004 and reportedly has no history of problems and is in good standing as a judge.
