The city attorney for Richmond has been charged with driving while intoxicated.
Haskell Brown III was arrested Wednesday. He was arraigned on a first offense DWI charge, with a blood-alcohol concentration between 0.15-0.20%. Brown was released on his own recognizance.
The legal BAC limit in Virginia is 0.08%.
Richmond City Council released a short statement on Brown's arrest: “Yesterday evening, Richmond City Council was notified that Haskell Brown, III, City Attorney was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving under the influence is a serious matter and Richmond City Council respects law enforcement.”
Brown has worked for Richmond in the city attorney’s office since the late 1990s. He was interim city attorney from late 2019 until his formal confirmation in August 2022. Five assistant city attorneys report to him.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, people with BAC levels between 0.15% and 0.30% might experience any or all of the following symptoms:
- altered mood
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of balance and muscle control
- confusion
- vomiting
- drowsiness
The Virginia DMV’s frequently asked questions page on drinking and driving states that even if a driver’s BAC is below the legal limit, “their ability to drive a car safely may still be impaired.”
This is a developing story.