Man with six DWI convictions is charged again

The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of Patrick McCarthy, age 50 of Poughkeepsie, for felony DWI at approximately 12:45 am on 3/8/15. Mr. McCarthy currently has six (6) prior DWI convictions, although only one was within the qualifying felony time frame (last 10 years). New York State Law says that a DWI charge automatically becomes a felony if the arrestee has a previous conviction within the last 10 years.

At approximately 12:45 am on 3/8/15, Mr. McCarthy was stopped on Route 55 near Skidmore Road in the Town of LaGrange after he failed to dim his high beams for oncoming traffic. After further interview and observation, it was determined that Mr. McCarthy had allegedly been operating the vehicle while intoxicated and he was then taken into custody at the scene.
Mr. McCarthy has been charged with DWI (Class E Felony) and failure to dim high beams (traffic infraction). After being processed, he was released on an appearance ticket and is due to appear before the Town of LaGrange Court on 3/24/15 at 4 pm.

As with any criminal case, the charges described above are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Author: Harlem Valley News