Bartlett man jailed over DUI arrest at child's school

A Bartlett man facing his fifth driving under the influence charge on accusations he showed up at his children's grade school drunk was sentenced Thursday to six months in the McHenry County jail for violating probation on the fourth offense.

Jozef Mucha, 39, must serve at least half the term, handed down in connection with his July 2005 arrest in Huntley for driving along Route 47 while intoxicated.

Mucha, of the 200 block of North Hale Avenue, pleaded guilty to the felony DUI charge in April 2007 and received 24 months probation. McHenry County prosecutors moved to revoke probation earlier this year after learning of the school arrest.

"You are the one holding the keys to your freedom, your financial security and your family stability," Judge Sharon Prather told Mucha while issuing the jail term. "Your actions in drinking and driving is what's causing your family hardships."

The latest charge stems from a Jan. 30 incident in which, a police officer testified Thursday, Mucha drove to Bartlett Elementary School while intoxicated to pick up a sick child. School officials refused to release the student, and instead kept Mucha on the campus until police arrived and arrested him.

Mucha admitted he had ingested six mixed drinks before going to the school that day, but asked for leniency Thursday, saying earnings from his small construction company was his family's only income.

"Everything is going to be gone," he said.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Ryan Blackney had asked for a three-year prison term, saying Mucha was "reckless" with his children's futures and noting that the Jan. 30 arrest occurred the same day the Bartlett man finished court-ordered substance abuse counseling.

"The defendant took his counseling so seriously he committed another DUI the same day he completed it," he said.