While the Octagon can’t contain MMA champ Jon “Bones” Jones, apparently the New York State Police can. On Monday, May 29, 2012, Jones plead guilty to the charge of DWI in Binghamton, NY and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 19. A reported plea deal has Jones paying a fine and receiving a conditional discharge. Jones will also need to complete an alcohol abuse and dependency assessment prior to his next court date.
Its a pretty sweet deal for the UFC light heavyweight champ, considering the fact that if this offense had taken place in Pennsylvania, Jones would be looking at a possible one year drivers license suspension as well as 48 to 72 hours in jail as well as some type of probationary term.
Now, in the event “Bones” had hired himself a Pennsylvania DUI Lawyer specializing in DUI penalties and drinking and driving charges, then “Bones” may have been given the opportunity to gain admittance in to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program (ARD) at which point he would be eligible to earn himself a full dismissal and expungement of his charges once he completed a non reporting term of probation.
Penalties for DUI vary from state to state and not every jurisdiction offers the chance at redemption that Jones is going to receive. Its wise for all of those that enjoy a lifestyle that includes visiting taverns and clubs to be cognizant of the DUI laws of that particular jurisdiction. While I don’t know for sure, I would imagine that a DUI conviction is a whole lot worse than a flying drop kick to the head. Just ask “Bones”.