Hartford Community Court Judge Charged With DUI

So much for the phrase, "sober as a judge."

"'Onessly, off'cer, I not as think as you drunk I am."

To err is human. To forgive is divine. Knowing this particular individual, I really don't think she will do it again. We really need to rethink transportation in America. A couple of glasses of wine, or a beer too many, and suddenly you're a felon. Think about it! I have a CDL. An extra beer for me is a Federal crime. In Glastonbury, non automotive transportation is actively discouraged. There are no shoulders on the streets, few sidewalks, and no meaningful mass transit. There isn't even a local taxi company. Dial a ride is a joke. There are many places they won't take people, and if you have been drinking, they won't take you. I would bicycle to work, a distance of about a mile, but It's suicide to ride on , or cross Hebron Avenue. This should be a wake up call for us

A Hartford "community court" judge lives in Glastonbury? Why? Is she seeing something in Hartford she doesn't like? Could it be rampant lawlessness? Hartford is a rising star, don't ya know....

She aught to be ashamed of herself. A fine example to our young adults. If guilty she should have jail time.

For the state trooper, thanks alot for upholding the law to the highest ethical standard!!! You are a classic example of the definition of integrity!!!

And to judge Cofield, she should be removed as judge. Shame on her!!!

We can comment on a supid mistake a Judge makes, but not on a Supreme Court ruling in the same state! The Courant is such a joke. I will be happy when all the subscribers are no more and the Courant shuts their doors.

i'm going to play devil's advocate here (y'all can tell me to go to he!! when i'm done). the article fails to say if she failed a sobriety test and, if so, what her blood alcohol level was or if she refused to take a sobriety test. i seriously doubt she was 3 sheets to the wind. her husband is a judge in the hartford criminal court as well.

if you are administered a breathalyzer test the moment you awaken (having not had any alcohol to drink the night before), you're level would read .02. unless we carry a hand held breathalyzer with us at all times, we won't know when we've reached .08. it's quite possible that 2nd glass of wine at dinner can put us at .08 and we wouldn't necessarily be hammered.

all i'm saying here is let's not be so quick to judge the judge until all of the facts are in. it's interesting how the courant can paint such a one-sided picture.

Jon Hykes wrote:

To err is human. To forgive is divine. Knowing this particular individual, I really don't think she will do it again. We really need to rethink transportation in America. A couple of glasses of wine, or a beer too many, and suddenly you're a felon. Think about it! I have a CDL. An extra beer for me is a Federal crime. In Glastonbury, non automotive transportation is actively discouraged. There are no shoulders on the streets, few sidewalks, and no meaningful mass transit. There isn't even a local taxi company. Dial a ride is a joke. There are many places they won't take people, and if you have been drinking, they won't take you. I would bicycle to work, a distance of about a mile, but It's suicide to ride on , or cross Hebron Avenue. This should be a wake up call for us

You must be insane. Basically, you are saying that it is the fault of the "state" that people are arrested for drunk driving. When you say "we" really need to rethink transportation in America you really mean the government should. I doubt you are doing any real thinking at all. And that the "wakeup call" should be to create more methods to get drunks from point A to point B so they won't have to drive themselves. You are right. Let's spend some more tax dollars because people are to stupid to take care of themselves. Thank God the government is here to hold your hand. I have an idea. Don't drink the "extra beer". You should have your CDL revoked just for being an idiot.

The article did not mention her blood alcohol content. Keep in mind that DUI now means a BAC of .08% which do- gooders have whittled down from .15% My point is simply that a person who drinks alcoholic beverages regularly is insignificantly impaired at .08% and would not even know they are in DUI territory.

From personal experience Judge Cofield is a great person. She made a mistake as many folks do. She'll pay the price as many first timers have done. This is an isolated incident. Let's not push personal agandas or negative associations just because you might have had a bad experience with the law/court/politics. Being associated with the justice system now for the past 13 years every once in a while you do come across good people who make bad decisions and this is one of those cases. Trust me the shame and embarrassment she feels far outweighs any type of punishement the people on this forum want dolled out.

One of the Good Guys wrote:

From personal experience Judge Cofield is a great person. She made a mistake as many folks do. She'll pay the price as many first timers have done. This is an isolated incident. Let's not push personal agandas or negative associations just because you might have had a bad experience with the law/court/politics. Being associated with the justice system now for the past 13 years every once in a while you do come across good people who make bad decisions and this is one of those cases. Trust me the shame and embarrassment she feels far outweighs any type of punishement the people on this forum want dolled out.

You gotta be a Democrap! Only Democraps would accept a Presidential Candidate who used illegal drugs...Judges are so good a lecturing people who make honest mistakes, let this drunk get double the maximum sentence...Honest mistake is a silent fart in Church...Drunk driving and endangering the lives of others is blatant irresponsibility and contempt for the law she is supposed to uphold...

Careful Glastonbury residents, we have another "known" drunk driver on our roads...

She should be removed from the bench permanantly and receive the harshest possible punishment. She should be held to a higher standard.

Bringing out my soapbox wrote:

i'm going to play devil's advocate here (y'all can tell me to go to he!! when i'm done). the article fails to say if she failed a sobriety test and, if so, what her blood alcohol level was or if she refused to take a sobriety test. i seriously doubt she was 3 sheets to the wind. her husband is a judge in the hartford criminal court as well.
if you are administered a breathalyzer test the moment you awaken (having not had any alcohol to drink the night before), you're level would read .02. unless we carry a hand held breathalyzer with us at all times, we won't know when we've reached .08. it's quite possible that 2nd glass of wine at dinner can put us at .08 and we wouldn't necessarily be hammered.
all i'm saying here is let's not be so quick to judge the judge until all of the facts are in. it's interesting how the courant can paint such a one-sided picture.

Ramming into the back of a Crown Vic with red and blue strobes is hammered....Very hammered...There is no excuse for it. Typical sets of double standards...I betcha she is a Dem!

One of the Good Guys wrote:

From personal experience Judge Cofield is a great person. She made a mistake as many folks do. She'll pay the price as many first timers have done. This is an isolated incident. Let's not push personal agandas or negative associations just because you might have had a bad experience with the law/court/politics. Being associated with the justice system now for the past 13 years every once in a while you do come across good people who make bad decisions and this is one of those cases. Trust me the shame and embarrassment she feels far outweighs any type of punishement the people on this forum want dolled out.

Correction: Was a great person! This is not someone who swerved over the line a couple of times...If she drove while intoxicated this time, one has to wonder how many other times shes blatantly put her actoins above the law???

Bringing out my soapbox wrote:

i'm going to play devil's advocate here (y'all can tell me to go to he!! when i'm done). the article fails to say if she failed a sobriety test and, if so, what her blood alcohol level was or if she refused to take a sobriety test. i seriously doubt she was 3 sheets to the wind. her husband is a judge in the hartford criminal court as well.
if you are administered a breathalyzer test the moment you awaken (having not had any alcohol to drink the night before), you're level would read .02. unless we carry a hand held breathalyzer with us at all times, we won't know when we've reached .08. it's quite possible that 2nd glass of wine at dinner can put us at .08 and we wouldn't necessarily be hammered.
all i'm saying here is let's not be so quick to judge the judge until all of the facts are in. it's interesting how the courant can paint such a one-sided picture.

Why would she be arrested if she didn't fail a field sobriety test? How would probable cause exist otherwise? Also, don't you think if the Courant knew her BAC they would print it? That isn't going to be available to anyone for another two weeks when it goes to court and becomes public record.

Maybe she won't do it again. She should not have done it this time. And she shouldn't have done it all the times she didn't get caught.
But here's another idea-- just make it legal to hit a state police cruiser; then she'd be ok.

Jon Hykes wrote:

To err is human. To forgive is divine. Knowing this particular individual, I really don't think she will do it again. We really need to rethink transportation in America. A couple of glasses of wine, or a beer too many, and suddenly you're a felon. Think about it! I have a CDL. An extra beer for me is a Federal crime. In Glastonbury, non automotive transportation is actively discouraged. There are no shoulders on the streets, few sidewalks, and no meaningful mass transit. There isn't even a local taxi company. Dial a ride is a joke. There are many places they won't take people, and if you have been drinking, they won't take you. I would bicycle to work, a distance of about a mile, but It's suicide to ride on , or cross Hebron Avenue. This should be a wake up call for us

Also, how do you figure your BAC is .02% when you first wake up? If you don't have any alcohol in your system you are a 0.00%

Police reports & DUI readings get "lost" and the case is thrown out. Like a year or so ago that drunken State Trooper who was arrested after who was arrested after a high speed chase..He never was convicted as the reports were never sent in....He later ambushed his ex-girlfriend ( I think she was an West Hartford police officer). He killed her and then himself...He should have been in jail... If the judge had not hit the cruiser, he probably would have let her go or even drove her home as a "Professional Courtesy" wink-wink...If it was you or I, we would be hancuffed and put in a cell...then in court would lose license for 6 months, pay a fine, get put on probation and do 100 hours of community service. A good lawyer can get her off. For example can say was on medication for something.

Well wrote:

Police reports & DUI readings get "lost" and the case is thrown out. Like a year or so ago that drunken State Trooper who was arrested after who was arrested after a high speed chase..He never was convicted as the reports were never sent in....He later ambushed his ex-girlfriend ( I think she was an West Hartford police officer). He killed her and then himself...He should have been in jail... If the judge had not hit the cruiser, he probably would have let her go or even drove her home as a "Professional Courtesy" wink-wink...If it was you or I, we would be hancuffed and put in a cell...then in court would lose license for 6 months, pay a fine, get put on probation and do 100 hours of community service. A good lawyer can get her off. For example can say was on medication for something.

Sounds like your medication is kicking in.