Columbus Criminal Defense Attorney Brad Koffel has released a public statement
on behalf of a Franklin County Judge who had been arrested by local authorities
under suspicion she had been driving under the influence (DUI / OVI).
In it, he calls attention to a concussion and other serious injuries suffered
by his client prior to the events leading up to her arrest.
Monica Hawkins, a Domestic Relations / Juvenile Court Judge in Fairfield
County Municipal Court, was arrested on the evening of January 31 in Pickerington,
Ohio. According to authorities, local officers conducted the traffic stop
after receiving a call from another motorist reporting a driver’s
unusual behavior.
A police report and dash cam video from the incident indicate the responding
Officer and a Sergeant called paramedics to examine Judge Hawkins due
to a visibly “large knot” on her forehead. They also reported
Ms. Hawkins refused medical attention, struggled to complete field sobriety
tests, declined to provide a preliminary breath sample, and that officers
were required to obtain a warrant for an involuntary blood draw.
On Wednesday February 6, 2019, Attorney Koffel released the following statement
on behalf of Judge Hawkins:
“Monica Hawkins is recovering from multiple injuries sustained hours prior
to her arrest from which she has no recollection. She suffered a serious
concussion and has bruising on her face, head and torso. She has very
little recall of the entire evening. We are still investigating the several
unaccounted for hours leading up to her arrest.
The behavior exhibited on the video is bizarre and completely uncharacteristic
of her 54 years of life. She is extremely grateful that the other motorist
called for assistance and no other motorists were involved.”
Being that Ms. Hawkins is a public judiciary officer, the case has garnered
ample media attention locally and nationwide, and will be featured on
Good Morning America Friday, February 8th. As Attorney Koffel notes, Judge Hawkins’ unusual behavior and her
serious injuries warrant further investigation into the circumstances
leading up to this event.
Though criminal allegations and media attention may illicit immediate reactions,
obtaining the facts, presenting one’s side of the story, and obtaining
legal representation becomes critical to dealing with difficult situations
– and are rights to which all Americans are entitled.
More About the Case
- Attorney: Franklin County judge suffered concussion prior to her arrest
- Judge Monica Hawkins’s lawyer says she had ‘serious concussion’
before arrest
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