Jason Kidd had just signed with the New York Knicks when he drove drunk, crashed and was arrested. Now, early in his coaching career, he is paying the consequences on the field.
The NBA has suspended Kidd for two games after pleading guilty to drink driving at Southampton Town Court in July.
According to The New York Daily Newshe won't even be allowed into the building for the Brooklyn Nets' season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 30 and home opener against the Miami Heat on Nov. 1.
Kidd was walking home in Water Mill when he ran through a stop sign and into the woods, knocking down a utility pole and some trees in July 2012. Southampton police charged him with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
Kidd pleaded guilty as charged under a plea agreement this summer. He was placed on probation, which required two speeches at Southampton High School and Longwood High School in Middle Island, which he completed on September 27.
On Monday, Judge Andrea Schiavoni ruled that he had successfully completed the terms of the plea agreement and his record will now reflect a lesser conviction for driving while ability impaired, a misdemeanor, Sag Harbor attorney Edward Burke Jr. said Wednesday.
Kidd's license will remain suspended for 90 days.
He also paid an $8,100 fine in restitution to the Long Island Power Authority for the fallen pole.
Asked how important it was to Kidd to get this case over with before the season started, Burke said, “We thought it was very important, personally and professionally.”
