Lawyer says judge in DUI arrest had concussion

The attorney for a Franklin County judge accused of driving while intoxicated says the judge had suffered a serious concussion hours before her arrest.

Attorney Brad Koffel is representing Franklin County Domestic Relations/juvenile Court Judge Monica Hawkins in Fairfield County Municipal Court.

Hawkins was charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence after a traffic stop last month in Pickerington.

Koffel said in an emailed statement that Hawkins has no recollection of “multiple injuries” sustained hours prior to her arrest.

“She suffered a serious concussion and has bruising on her face, head and torso,” Koffel wrote.

“She has very little recall of the entire evening. We are still investigating the several unaccountedfor hours leading up to her arrest.”

Hawkins was pulled over by Pickerington police around 8:40 p.m. Jan. 31 after another driver called to report an erratic driver.

Dash-camera video from the traffic stop shows Hawkins denying that she consumed any alcohol and denying having any injuries to her head.

Officer Mercedes Gavins, who responded to the scene with Sgt. Chad Wallace, called for a paramedic to examine Hawkins because of what she said in her report was a “large knot” on her forehead.

The video shows Hawkins refusing to be examined by paramedics and telling Gavins the head Hawkins injury did not affect her ability to drive.

Hawkins was visibly unsteady on her feet while completing several fieldsobriety tests.

After being arrested, Hawkins declined to submit to a breath test.

Officers obtained a search warrant for Hawkins’ blood to determine her bloodalcohol level.

The police report indicates that Hawkins refused to willingly give a blood sample after the warrant was obtained and Ohiohealth security officers had to hold her down while the sample was drawn.

The results of the blood test were not available as of Thursday.

Koffel said Hawkins’ behavior on the video is “bizarre and completely uncharacteristic of her 54 years of life.”

“She is extremely grateful that the other motorist called for assistance and that no other motorists were involved,” Koffel wrote.

Hawkins has returned to the bench and is scheduled to appear in court on the criminal charge Feb. 14.