According to an outgoing Berkeley school board member, for the first time in the Berkeley School District's history, a teacher has been charged with both DUI and drug possession, and the teacher is now on paid administrative leave while awaiting trial.
The teacher, D.H., 51, was arrested for DUI following a traffic stop in San Rafael. He is facing two felony charges. One felony is for LSD possession and the second is for bringing the drugs inside the Marin County Jail. D.H. is also facing misdemeanor DUI.
Mark Coplan, the Berkeley school district spokesman, said that D.H. had worked for the district in an off-campus facility associated with Berkeley High School. D.H. could be facing disciplinary action beyond his ordered administrative leave after the results of their own investigation is revealed.
Additional disciplinary actions can include a reprimand and suspension or termination – without pay.
It has been more than 10 years, possible 15, since a teacher in the district had been charged with felony drug possession according to all of the officials contacted by reporters.
On January 1, 2013, D.H.'s single-subject teaching credentials will expire. However, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, or the Committee of Credentials, may "immediately" suspend his credentials according to commission spokeswoman Erin Sullivan.
D.H.'s credentials can also be revoked by the commission if he is convicted.
According to police reports, on December 1, 2012, D.H. drove his Toyota Camry through a red light on Bellam Boulevard. After being pulled over D.H. exhibited signs of drunkenness. Police then conducted their preliminary alcohol testing at the scene.
D.H.'s alcohol breath tests came back showing .13 percent and .12 percent – and the legal driving limit is .08 percent.
Police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher said that D.H. told officers that he had driven from the Terrapin Crossroads Restaurant and Bar prior to being pulled over.
Once booked into the Marin County Jail D.H. turned over his possessions for police storage. One item, a breath mint container, was thought by a jail deputy to contain drugs. A test was done and it came back positive for LSD.
D.H. was able to obtain bail and was released pending the prosecutor's review.
An outgoing Berkeley school board member, who had recently completed 12 years of service, commented, "We've had people accused of things, but I don't recall LSD. Everybody has due process, and he has rights, so you have to take this one step at a time."
D.H. admitted to a reporter that he had made a "mistake." Both D.H., and his attorney, have refused further comment.
The school board's published agenda shows that D.H. was hired for full-time work in August.
Prior to Berkeley, D.H. allegedly worked for the Chico Unified School District.
When facing one or more criminal charges related to DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI you must contact a DUI attorney. Only a DUI attorney understands how these types of charges can effect your current, and future, employment.