Veteran Status Not A Get Out Of Jail Card

A man tried to get out of drunk driving ticket by telling a police officer that he could legally drink because he was a veteran.

Michael J Smerchek, 36, was charged with a felony count of drunk driving (4th offense in five years) and having a prohibited blood-alcohol level. If he’s found guilty, he faces up to 12 years in prison and/or fines of up to $20,000.

According to the criminal complaint:

An officer with the Mount Pleasant Police Department saw Smerchek driving his car onto Oakes Road. While he was turning onto the North Frontage Road he almost struck a curb. Swerving back and forth, Smerchek turned on his right blinker and turned onto the railroad track. Slamming his brakes, he kept driving west on the Frontage Road.