NIC attorney candidate pleaded guilty to DUI
COEUR d’ALENE — One of the finalists North Idaho College trustees are considering hiring as the college’s attorney was arrested in November for driving under the influence.
Dennis Colton Boyles, 38, pleaded guilty in December to driving under the influence, a misdemeanor.
In November, Idaho State Police stopped Boyles on U.S. 95 for driving 75 mph in a posted 55 mph zone and for failing to maintain his lane, according to court documents.
Boyles reportedly appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He did not cooperate with field sobriety tests and refused to submit to breath or blood testing, court records show. He was arrested at the scene.
Judge Robert Caldwell placed Boyles on unsupervised probation until Dec. 12, 2023, and ordered him to complete 16 hours of service with the Sheriff’s Community Labor Program in lieu of four days in jail.
Court documents indicate Boyles has completed the labor program hours, as well as 12 hours of educational classes also ordered by the court.
Caldwell issued a withheld judgment in the case.
A withheld judgment is a case resolution where the court does not immediately enter judgment. After the sentence has been completed, the offender can ask the court to dismiss the case retroactively, making it as if the conviction never occurred.
Boyles provided the Coeur d'Alene Press with the following statement about the case:
“If you are reading this story and think you might have a problem with alcohol, you do. Alcohol use disorder is a serious medical condition that requires treatment and should not be ignored. Recovery takes commitment but it is achievable with proper support like Celebrate Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous. For a long time, I mistakenly believed that alcohol enhanced my experiences and that I could handle it, but I was wrong. What it really did, even though I was in denial and blind to it at the time, was dull my intellect, drag me down and steal away my time and exciting opportunities. Those lost memories and opportunities are gone forever, but the incident forced me down a better path before tragedy struck. I regret my choice to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. It will never happen again. I take full ownership of my mistake and its consequences. However, by the grace of God I am now over seven months alcohol free and convinced that sober living produces abundance: An abundance of quality time with family and friends, improved efficiency, productivity and wealth, and perspective of recovery from which to share my testimony. Praise God! Every day I experience gratitude for the AF life! If you feel even a hint of “I might have a problem," don’t wait another minute. Nothing is more important than your journey to recovery. Seek the help you need now. If you wait, you might not be so lucky.”