New York Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Doc Gooden, the 45 year old former star pitcher for the New York Mets and the Yankees, was arrested this past Tuesday in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey for driving while under the influence of drugs, leaving the scene of an accident, and child endangerment. Gooden was driving his five year old son to school and was arrested when he left the scene after colliding with another car and a bystander called 911. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident.

Gooden was a big part of the New York Mets 1986 championship team and also a member of the 1996 and 2000 Yankees World Series teams. He has been arrested numerous times over the last 20 years for drug and alcohol violations and has reportedly undergone 5 different stints in alcohol and drug rehabilitation. Most recently, Gooden served as a senior vice president for the minor league Newark Bears. He turned down an offer this past winter to work with the New York Mets in spring training.

Gooden is very fortunate that the DWI charges he faces occurred in New Jersey and not in New York. Under the recently enacted "Leandra's Law" in New York, he would have automatically been charged with a felony for allegedly driving while under the influence of drugs with a child younger than 16 in the vehicle.

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Lil Wayne, also known as "Weezy", whose real name is Dwayne Carter, was sentenced to one year in jail on March 8, 2010 by Judge Charles Solomon of the New York County Supreme Court. In October of 2009, Mr. Carter pled guilty to attempted possession of a weapon after a gun was found on his tour bus back in 2007. The sentencing had been delayed twice, once related to dental work that Lil Wayne was undergoing and the second due to a courthouse fire.

Under the New York Penal Law, Criminal Possession of a weapon can be anything from a Class A Misdemeanor (for example upon a conviction for possession of a switchblade), through a Class B Felony (for possession of ten or more firearms or possession of an explosive substance with intent to use against person or property).

With good behavior, the one year sentence could be reduced to eight months.

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