The quarterback for the University of Texas El Paso, Kai Locksley, was taken into custody on June 9 after he allegedly shouted at a group of people and threatened to shoot them. A deputy saw him reversing his car and stopped him. Locklsey, who is the son of Maryland coach Mike Locksley, told the deputy he had a gun beside him.
The deputy found the gun next to the driver’s seat. Locksley is facing charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, making a terroristic threat, possession of marijuana less than two ounces and driving while intoxicated. The defensive lineman for UTEP was also detained and faces charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Locksley spent the night in the El Paso County Jail and was released after posting bail of $2,900.
The UTEP football team has indefinitely suspended Locksley. However, the coach says that while the charges are serious ones, they will wait until all the facts are in to determine what they will do.
As this case demonstrates, certain types of charges and convictions may have consequences beyond legal ones. For athletes, politicians, and people involved in such fields as medicine and education, certain types of convictions, including DWI and drug-related convictions, could be a career setback or could even end a career. On top of this, there may be legal penalties, including license suspension, fines and jail time.
Therefore, a person who is facing drunk driving charges may want to consult an attorney. An attorney may look at the reason for the traffic stop, whether the person’s rights were observed and whether any tests were conducted correctly. In some cases, a plea bargain might be the best option. This means the person does not go to trial but pleads guilty, usually to reduced charges, and generally receives a lighter sentence.
