KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Judge sentenced to 5 days in jail, 3 years probation for DUI

Judge sentenced to 5 days in jail, 3 years probation for DUI

by Ashton Goodell
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Anchorage superior judge charged with drunk driving said at his sentencing Tuesday that it was a bad judgment call.

"It doesn't matter what position you have or how much money you make or how smart you are. It affects people," said Juneau District Court Judge Keith Levy.

Judge Patrick McKay will spend five days in jail for driving under the influence.

Levy says McKay didn't get special treatment for his position.

Police pulled McKay over on the Glenn Highway in August. They found a water bottle filled with red wine on the passenger seat of his car. The judge blew a .157 on a breathalyzer test.

McKay apologized to his family and to the public.

He says his actions hurt public confidence in the justice system.

"I thank God that nobody else suffered any pain that night. I also need to apologize to the public, there is no question about that," McKay said.

McKay pleaded no contest to the charges. He says he's getting help to make sure it doesn't happen again. 

He lost his license for 90 days and will be on probation for three years.

The judge also faces disciplinary action on the job.

It is the second time McKay has found himself charged with drunken driving. In 1988, he was convicted and served three days in jail.

Contact Ashton Goodell at agoodell@ktuu.com