Mundelein trustee after pleading guilty to DUI: It won't happen again
A Mundelein trustee pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in Lake County court early Wednesday.
Dakotah Norton, 25, was sentenced to one year of court supervision, had his driver's license suspended for 6 months, and was ordered to pay a $900 fine. He's also barred from drinking alcohol for one year and must take part in a victim impact panel, under the terms of his sentence.
"I'm happy it went as well as it did," Norton said after the hearing in misdemeanor court. "Now I can focus on making it up to the voters and the people of Mundelein."
Norton added, "I can say without certainty this will never happen again."
Norton, who was elected in April and took office in May, refused to resign after Vernon Hills police arrested him on June 14 at 11:15 p.m. for DUI on route 60 near Butterfield Road while driving a 1999 Volkswagen Passat.
Police said an officer saw him swerve and turn through a red light before pulling him over east of Butterfield Road.
The officer smelled alcohol on Norton's breath and administered a field sobriety test, authorities said.
Norton submitted to a blood-alcohol test, but authorities did not release the results.
Norton was charged with driving under the influence, driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of more than .08, operating an uninsured vehicle, improper lane usage and other traffic violations.
As part of the plea deal, the other violations against Norton were dropped.
Norton said previously he'd been drinking at home with friends and left to buy food.
Norton said he agreed to the plea deal because it was a fair offer and to put the issue behind him.
"The punishment is what I deserved and I had no interest in trying to pursue loopholes or anything," he said. "Now I can focus on serving Mundelein as best I can and not be distracted with court dates or lawyers."
Norton added he will release his court documents to anyone interested as requested by political opponents that have asked he step down.
Public court records indicate Norton has been previously charged under local ordinances with retail theft, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia, records show. He was 16 at the time, records show.
In November 2007, 18-year-old Norton was arrested and charged with felony possession of cannabis and manufacturing or delivering cannabis, records show.
In that case, he was fined, sentenced to probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of public service, according to records.
Norton said he received drug treatment and has been drug-free for eight years.