Scott Benson
Drunk Driving Conviction
Summary: In June 2014, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson was arrested after police found him unconscious in his city-owned car with an open bottle of bourbon. His blood alcohol level was 0.24 percent, three times the legal limit. Despite initially claiming he had only one sip of vodka, Benson later pleaded guilty to drunken driving. In January 2015, Judge Bill Richards sentenced him to seven days in jail, $2,000 in fines, two years probation, and counseling, noting this was Benson's second alcohol-related driving offense. Benson publicly apologized and promised to make necessary lifestyle changes to continue serving his district effectively.
Details
On June 29, 2014, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson, who represented District 3, was arrested in Southfield, Michigan. Police found Benson unconscious behind the wheel of his city-owned 2008 Crown Victoria near the intersection of 8 Mile Road and the Southfield Freeway.[1] A witness had called 911 reporting, "I don't know if there's something wrong with this guy in this car at Southfield and 8 Mile at the service drive. It's not moving and neither is the person inside."[2]
At the time of his arrest, Benson was found with an open bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon in the vehicle. Although he initially told Southfield police he had only consumed "one sip" of vodka, a blood test revealed his blood alcohol content was 0.24 percent, three times Michigan's legal limit for driving.[2] He was placed under arrest for operating while impaired and released on a $500 bond.[1]
On October 2014, Benson pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of drunken driving after initially being charged with "super drunk driving."[2] On January 22, 2015, Benson appeared before Judge Bill Richards in Southfield district court for sentencing. During the proceedings, Judge Richards noted that this was Benson's second alcohol-related driving offense, though details of the previous incident were not provided.[2]
Benson read a prepared statement in court: "I'd like to apologize to this court, the residents of Southfield and Detroit, my colleagues and family for my egregious behavior of June 2014."[2] Judge Richards sentenced Benson to seven days in the Oakland County Jail (half the time recommended by court officials), $2,000 in fines and costs, two years of probation, continued substance abuse counseling, and meetings with victims of drunk driving tragedies. Benson chose to begin serving his jail sentence on March 13, 2015.[2]
Following the sentencing, Benson issued a longer statement expressing remorse and indicating he had "made the appropriate and necessary lifestyle changes" while pledging to "continue to labor hard for my district and the citizens of Detroit without distraction."[2]
A review of Benson's driving record by Fox 2 revealed several suspensions for unpaid fees dating back to 2011, minor traffic infractions, and a hold on his license for unpaid parking tickets in Detroit.[1]