Jason Kidd Crashes Car, Gets Arrested for DWI

Looks like any future celebrations for Jason Kidd’s transfer to the New York Knicks may have to be put on the back burner — the point guard was arrested in New York for driving while intoxicated (DWI) during the early morning hours of Saturday, July 14.

Kidd had been drinking the night of his arrest, which occurred shortly after he crashed his 2010 Cadillac Escalade into a telephone pole. When police arrived at the accident scene, they found Kidd in his car. NBC reports that he was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital, then arraigned on a misdemeanor DWI charge. He was later released from Southampton Town police custody without having to post bail.

Kidd’s attorney says he has pleaded not guilty to the DWI charge. This means Kidd will have to go to court for a hearing, where evidence such as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level at the time of his arrest will be examined by a judge. Any drunk driving defense attorney can tell you that punishments for drunk driving vary from state to state, but the penalties Kidd is facing for a DWI conviction in New York include loss of license, prison time, fines and probation for three years. The three-year probation would be the same length as Kidd’s contract with the Knicks.

This is not the 39 year old’s first brush with the legal system. Kidd was arrested for domestic abuse more than 10 years ago. He and his wife at the time, Joumana Kidd, later divorced.