LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) -- The mayor of a small, West Michigan city who was charged with drunken driving after his pickup rolled into a ravine has pleaded no contest in the case.
The Ludington Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/WGoJWn ) Scottville Mayor Joe Baxter entered the plea to a charge of impaired driving on Monday in 79th District Court in Ludington.
Baxter was ordered to pay $1,145 in fines and costs. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing purposes.
Defense lawyer David Glancy said in a statement that Baxter has accepted responsibility for the Oct. 18 accident. He noted, however, that Baxter has a long medical history of chronic lung disorders that requires medications that may affect the results of blood-alcohol levels.
AP