District Attorney Hoovler: Jury Trial Conviction in Driving While Intoxicated Case

Tuxedo Man Convicted of Driving While Intoxicated After Four-Day Jury Trial

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, May 13, 2024, Michael Sutherland, age 61, of Tuxedo, was convicted following a four-day jury trial in the Warwick Town Court of Driving While Intoxicated. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2024.

As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of September 26, 2022, Sutherland was observed by members of the Town of Warwick Police Department moving unsafely from his lane of travel.  After pulling the defendant over, the officers noticed the tell-tale signs of intoxication and Sutherland admitted to drinking.  The defendant subsequently failed all three field sobriety tests he was asked to perform.  After being arrested, Sutherland submitted to a chemical test to determine his blood alcohol content which revealed it was over the legal limit at 0.11%.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of Warwick Policefor their investigation and the arrest of the defendant.

“We all deserve to travel our shared roadways free of intoxicated drivers,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “This defendant decided to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated, instead of calling for a taxi or arranging for a safe alternative.  By doing so, this defendant chose to place his interests before those of society and I am grateful that the jury in this case held him responsible for his actions.  I commend the dedicated work of the Town of Warwick Police who patrol our streets to make sure that they are safe for us all.  My Office will continue to prioritize intoxicated and impaired driving cases.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorneys Anthony Molina and Kevin Sharp who prosecuted the case.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.