The House Minority Leader, Del. Jason Buckel (R-Allegany), avoided jail time after agreeing to a plea deal on a single charge of driving while impaired by alcohol. Buckel was sentenced to probation before judgment in Allegany County District Court, receiving two years of supervised probation. He was also required to complete an alcohol assessment tied to a June traffic stop.
“Maryland has strict laws regarding driving, many of which I have supported,” Buckel said in a statement. “Even having one or two drinks before driving is a poor decision. Going forward, my judgment and responsibilities to my family, constituents, and community will reflect that.”
His probation will transition to unsupervised once he finishes the alcohol assessment, which he said would be completed by Tuesday. Additionally, Buckel’s driver’s license was suspended for 270 days.
The charges stemmed from a late-night stop in June, where Maryland State Police pulled Buckel over near his home in La Vale. He had reportedly been watching a hockey game at a sports restaurant and described himself as a light drinker. Buckel faced multiple charges, including driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, and negligent driving.
The misdemeanor plea does not threaten Buckel’s position in the House of Delegates. In Maryland, elected officials must vacate their office only if convicted of a felony, certain misdemeanors tied to their official duties, or crimes involving moral turpitude with jail sentences.
Under an Alford plea, Buckel did not admit guilt but acknowledged that evidence could lead to a conviction. “While I maintain I did not drive unlawfully and most of the original charges were dismissed, I accept full responsibility for resolving this matter. I’ve learned a valuable lesson,” he said.
