Who is Cele Hancock? Arizona judge seen weeping after 'extreme DUI' case ends career as she takes plea deal
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Cele Hancock has taken a plea deal over a DUI charge, marking the end of her career as a judge in the state of Arizona.
Back in March, Hancock was pulled over by Prescott police when they received a call about a possibly impaired driver. She was caught on camera weeping in front of the officials and was arrested on suspicion of extreme DUI.
Hancock was convicted for misdemeanor DUI in May, following which she spent a day in jail and paid a fine of $1,650.
According to the Daily Mail, Hancock had been licensed to practice law in Arizona since 1996. She was first elected to the Yavapai County bench in 2010. However, as part of her punishment, Hancock is relieved of her gavel, and will not serve as a judge in Arizona during her lifetime again.
What Arizona Supreme Court observed in Judge Cele Hancock's case?
"The stipulated resolution provides a prompt and final resolution to the pending complaint, while also protecting the public and the integrity of the judiciary," stated the Arizona Supreme Court.
Hancock took the plea deal. This move entails the state agency to drop its investigation into further disciplining her.
Where was Judge Cele Hancock apprehended?
Hancock was parked outside a Safeway Supermarket in Prescott on March 19, 2023, and was promptly pulled over by a police officer after she started driving.
Officials state that she showed signs of alcohol consumption and failed several sobriety tests.
In the body-camera video, officers were heard asking Hancock whether she had consumed alcohol. She initially denied but later admitted that she had a couple of glasses of wine "a couple of hours ago".
"I just feel bad; I just had that one; I'm a judge here. I'm just a person like anyone else," she added.
How inebriated was Judge Cele Hancock?
Breathalyzer tests showed Hancock initially had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.158%, with later tests showing 0.219% and 0.214%. In comparison, the DUI threshold for drivers in Arizona stands at 0.08%, with 0.15% and higher being considered as extreme DUI.
Following the tests, Hancock was heard saying, "Do you know I'm a judge here? I don't want to use that. I don't want to use that. I really don't," in an attempt to get out of any potential charges.
She was cited and released before being found guilty later.
