Huff Pleads Guilty To Driving Under the Influence

UPDATE (3:51 p.m.)—Baltimore County Councilman Todd Huff will have to wait until April 30 to learn his sentence after pleading guilty to driving under the influence.

Huff pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement for the Feb. 23 arrest. In return, prosecutors agreed to drop all other charges.

Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. Martin said he needs additional time to consider Huff's sentence.

John Grason Turnbull III, Huff's defense attorney, is asking for probation before judgment.

Chris Smith, a Harford County state's attorney assigned to prosecute the case, said probation before judgment is not appropriate in the case and is asking Martin for a sentence that could lead to the revocation of Huff's driver's license.

Turnbull said Huff will already lose his federal commercial drivers license because of the arrest and the loss of his Maryland license would unfairly harm his private job and public office.

"[Huff] needs his license to remain employed at Brooks-Huff," Turnbull said. "He needs his license to remain employed as a county councilman."

Huff, speaking publicly for the first time, apologized in court for the incident.

"I just wanted to apologize to my family, my colleagues and the constituents of the 3rd District for creating this unforgivable situation," Huff said. "I continue to work hard to gain their trust back."

Huff arrested more than a month ago after he was stopped by police when his silver Jeep Grand Cherokee was spotted traveling northbound on York Road near Washington Avenue. The vehicle's headlights were off.

The councilman later failed a number of field sobriety tests given on the parking lot where his car was pulled over.

Turnbull said his client was in therapy for both alcohol use and anxiety related to being in the public eye following Huff's arrest.

Lawrence Fishel, Huff's therapist, said the councilman struggled with "alcohol abuse, not dependency"—a claim Martin questioned given Huff's blood alcohol level at the time of his arrest.

"Mr. Huff has been very open on what he needs to work on," Fishel said.

Other character witnesses asked Martin to take into account Huff's good works.

"Mr. Huff made a poor choice," Alexandra Paradise said, adding that "it's important to have a picture of the whole person."

Paradise, an attorney, worked for Huff's campaign. The councilman also appointed her to the county's Human Relations Commission.

Paradise said she was struck by Huff's earnest desire to enter politics as a "public service and not a career."

Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, praised the councilman for his volunteer work with the chamber.

"He gives such sweat equity in our community," Hafford said, estimating that the councilman had volunteered as much as 500 hours to the annual Towsontown Spring Festival.

Martin said his task in determining a sentence lies in balancing Huff's work, criminal and public service record with the fact that he was arrested after registering a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit.

"He has no criminal record—that's a positive," Martin said. "He has an exemplary work history. I've heard nothing bad about his character."

But Martin said he was troubled by a hit and run incident involving Huff nearly 18 years ago. In that incident, Huff was sentenced to four days in jail and had an alcohol restriction placed on his license.

Martin said Huff's blood alcohol level bothered him.

Smith argued that that incident is essentially Huff's first alcohol-related offense and makes a sentence of probation before judgment inappropriate for Huff's most recent arrest.

Martin said he was not troubled by Huff's post-arrest phone call to Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson but was troubled by reports that Huff asked the arresting officer "Don't you know who I am?"

Martin said the statement represents an arrogance on Huff's part.

Finally, Martin said he needed to reflect on Huff's responsibility as an elected official. He referenced other recent cases involving Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold and Del. Don Dwyer and Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.

"Does he have an enhanced responsibility to conduct himself by a higher standard?" Martin said.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 30 at 9 a.m.