McNair's lawyer eyes dismissal

The Baltimore Sun

The lawyer for Steve McNair is confident that the Ravens quarterback's court case will be dismissed today.

McNair is scheduled to appear in Nashville, Tenn., on a driving under the influence by consent charge along with his brother-in-law, Jamie Cartwright, who was arrested on a DUI charge.

"I think there is a very good chance to get it worked out as far as the driver is concerned," said Roger May, McNair's lawyer. "If that occurs, then Mr. McNair's case will be dismissed."

It appeared that McNair's case would be dropped May 30.

A clerk for the criminal court in Nashville announced that McNair's DUI by consent charge had been dismissed and that the DUI charge against his brother-in-law had been reduced to reckless driving.

But the district attorney decided to review the agreement, resulting in both cases being delayed until today.

May said yesterday that he has never been given a reason for the delay.

It is still believed there is a standing offer for Cartwright to settle his case without going to court, which would lead to McNair's charges being dropped.

Cartwright's sentence for reckless driving would include two days of jail, six months of supervised probation, completion of an alcohol safety course and a $350 fine.

"We don't anticipate they are going to switch anything [today]," May said. "I'm confident that we can get this resolved."

McNair was arrested May 9 in Nashville on a misdemeanor charge commonly referred to as DUI by consent that prohibits a vehicle owner from letting the car be driven by someone who is inebriated.

Cartwright was driving McNair's pickup when police stopped it for allegedly going 45 mph in a 35-mph zone. He was charged with drunken driving after failing a field sobriety test and refusing to take a Breathalyzer test, according to police.

McNair, who did not attend his court hearing in May, is scheduled to be in court today, his lawyer said.

jamison.hensley@baltsun.com

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