Methuen MA fire Lt. plead guilty to DWI

Methuen Fire Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to DWI, Possession of Pot

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Methuen Fire Lieutenant James Garrity plead guilty in early November to possession of marijuana and driving while intoxicated, and he is now facing a departmental disciplinary hearing. Lt. Garrity was originally arrested on St. Patrick’s Day, 2013 in Plaistow, New Hampshire. Fire Chief Steven Buote has stated that he and Mayor Stephen Zanni will meet within the coming week to discuss possible disciplinary procedures; however, no comments were made on any specific types of punishment that Lt. Garrity could face.

Lt. Garrity has been allowed to remain an active member of the Methuen Fire Department pending the outcome of his criminal trial, and Zanni has stated that appropriate action will be taken.

Originally from Haverhill, New Hampshire, Garrity, who is 48, plead guilty to a second offense New Hampshire DWI charge and possession of marijuana on November 14^th in the Plaistow District Court. On the same day, Judge Sawako Gardner set his date for trial.

As a consequence of pleading guilty to the charges, Garrity has had his driver’s license revoked for two years. He is now required to enter an impaired driver treatment program before his license can be reinstated, and once his driving privileges are restored, he must have an ignition interlock device installed on motor vehicle. For pleading guilty to the possession charge, Garrity was fined a total of $434.00. An additional speeding charge was subsequently dismissed.

Lt Garrity began working for the city of Methuen in 1993. He received his promotion to lieutenant in February of this year. He was arrested on March 17^th, 2013 at approximately 10:50 pm after his 2011 Ford Econovan was recorded by police radar doing 66 mph in a 35 mph zone. Garrity was heading southbound on Route 125 and was alone in his vehicle at the time of the arrest. Hours later, he was released from jail on a $1,000.00 bond.

Garrity had an additional DWI conviction in 2009 out of state. His license was suspended as a result of the 2009 conviction, but his driving record did not indicate for how long. The 2009 arrest and conviction were never reported to the Methuen City Hall or Fire Department.

Although a respected member of the law enforcement community, Lt. Garrity’s case serves to highlight the fact that no New Hampshire motorist is considered “above the law”. Because this was his second DWI conviction, the penalties he incurred were much more serious.

If you, or someone you know, has been arrested and charged with a DWI offense in the state of New Hampshire, then it is imperative to engage the services of an experienced DWI lawyer immediately. Drunk driving charges are not treated lightly in New Hampshire, and the consequences of a conviction can be severe. For a free consultation of your case contact our law firm today. Our New Hampshire DWI attorneys will work diligently to ensure that your legal rights are protected and to obtain the best possible outcome for your unique case.