NBA star Jason Kidd plans to fight DWI charge
New York Knicks point guard Jason Kidd is planning to fight his charges that he was driving drunk when he slammed his SUV into a telephone pole in the Hamptons over the summer, said Kidd’s lawyer on Wednesday.
According to reports, 39-year-old Jason Kidd — who was donning a navy pinstriped suit and tie — said “good morning” to reporters outside the Southampton Town Court on Long Island Wednesday. However, he did not talk as he stood with his back straight, facing the judge during his brief procedural appearance.
When questioned about the accusations on his drunk driving charge, attorney Edward Burke Jr. spoke in behalf of the NBA star and told reporters, “We are defending that.”
“He is taking this very, very seriously,” Burke added. “He wants to get this past him as quickly as possible. The legal process takes some time but he is ready for his season.”
As previous reports have stated, Jason Kidd was arrested back in July, just a few days after he signed with the New York Knicks as point guard. He sustained minor injuries when his 2010 Cadillac Escalade hit a telephone pole around two in the morning, and proceeded veering into the woods in the hamlet of Water Mill.
Kidd’s misdemeanor charge for drunk driving carries the potential for up to one year in jail.
Then, a few days after his drunk driving arrest, the NBA star posted on his Twitter account that he regretted “any disruption my accident … may have caused members of the community.” Kidd also said he wanted to “thank the local authorities.”
In another post, Jason Kidd expressed his gratitude to his family and friends for their support.
The New York Knicks signed Jason Kidd away from the Dallas Mavericks in a $3 million per year deal. Kidd had played in New Jersey before, leading the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances before he was traded to Dallas.
Jason Kidd helped the Dallas Mavericks win the 2011 NBA championship, and he is second on the NBA’s career list in assists and steals.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist has had a run-in with the law before. While playing with Phoenix in 2001, he was arrested by the police due to a domestic violence charge and acknowledged that he struck his former wife.
His next court appearance is set on November 7.