A Tarrant County criminal district judge was jailed Saturday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after an Alvarado police officer stopped her for speeding.
Judge Elizabeth Berry was driving a gray Volvo sport utility vehicle on Interstate 35W around 4 p.m. Saturday when she was stopped for traveling 92 mph in a 65-mph zone, Alvarado Police Chief John Allen said.
An officer spotted empty beer cans in Judge Berry's vehicle during the traffic stop, and she appeared to be intoxicated, Chief Allen said. Officers at the scene reported that Judge Berry refused to let them conduct a field sobriety test.
Judge Berry, 43, who presides over Criminal District Court 3, was taken to the Johnson County Law Enforcement Center in Cleburne, where she refused a breath alcohol test.
Officers obtained a warrant to take a sample of Judge Berry's blood hours after her arrest, but the results won't be available for a few days, Chief Allen said.
On Tuesday, a bailiff in Judge Berry's courtroom referred a call about the arrest to her attorney, Mark Daniel.
Mr. Daniel's office issued a written statement saying, "Judge Berry is a very highly respected judge. We are presently doing our own investigation. It is my belief that this matter will likely be determined to be unfounded."
Judge Berry, a Republican, was elected in 2003.
Judge Elizabeth Berry was driving a gray Volvo sport utility vehicle on Interstate 35W around 4 p.m. Saturday when she was stopped for traveling 92 mph in a 65-mph zone, Alvarado Police Chief John Allen said.
An officer spotted empty beer cans in Judge Berry's vehicle during the traffic stop, and she appeared to be intoxicated, Chief Allen said. Officers at the scene reported that Judge Berry refused to let them conduct a field sobriety test.
Judge Berry, 43, who presides over Criminal District Court 3, was taken to the Johnson County Law Enforcement Center in Cleburne, where she refused a breath alcohol test.
Officers obtained a warrant to take a sample of Judge Berry's blood hours after her arrest, but the results won't be available for a few days, Chief Allen said.
On Tuesday, a bailiff in Judge Berry's courtroom referred a call about the arrest to her attorney, Mark Daniel.
Mr. Daniel's office issued a written statement saying, "Judge Berry is a very highly respected judge. We are presently doing our own investigation. It is my belief that this matter will likely be determined to be unfounded."
Judge Berry, a Republican, was elected in 2003.
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