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Broncos’ D.J. Williams Sentenced To House Arrest For 2nd DUI

Posted byBy Jacobi Eaves | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams was sentenced to 30 days of house arrest for his second driving under the influence charge,  but will not start serving the sentence until Feb. 7, 2013.

Prosecutors had asked by Judge Brian Campbell to sentence Williams to a month in jail.

This was Williams second offense for driving under the influence, so the judge added stipulations to his ruling.  Williams will have to wear an ankle monitor in his house, must serve two years on probation, have his sobriety monitored and attend alcohol education classes and therapy, which are standard punishments for second-time offenders.  He must also pay $2,390 in court cost and perform 56 hours of community service.

Harvey Steinberg, Williams lawyer, said, “We thought it was a fair and appropriate sentence given all the circumstances,” he said.

Still, Steinberg immediately filed an appeal on the behalf of his client.

The NFL had already given Williams a three-game suspension for his first DUI conviction in August.  This comes on top of the six-game suspension he just completed for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Williams returned to team headquarters last week after being banned for the six weeks of the season. He is not allowed to practice or speak to the media until his suspension is completed, but can attend meetings.

Williams was originally charged with driving under the influence, but a jury returned a conviction on a lesser charge. He was also convicted of driving without headlights, the offense that prompted police to stop him near downtown Denver about 3 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2010.

Prosecutors said Williams failed roadside sobriety tests during his traffic stop and refused to take a blood test to determine his possible alcohol level. He detained and taken to a detox facility.

The Broncos stripped Williams of his captain title after second arrest for suspicion of drunken driving. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to impaired driving.

Williams has led the Broncos in tackles five times in his eight years in Denver. He has a total of 810 tackles for his career with the Broncos, 90 of them coming last season.

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