Jarrettsville man held without bail after fifth DUI charge

A Jarrettsville man was held without bail Tuesday after his fourth drinking and driving charge in 2011 and fifth within a year and a half.

Patrick John Ziemann, 27, of the 3600 block of Fox Meadow Court in Jarrettsville, was charged Monday with driving while impaired by alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent driving, driving while his license and privilege were suspended and failure to display license on demand.

Ziemann has three pending DUI cases, one from April, one from June and another from July. He also was given probation before judgment in June last year for driving while impaired by alcohol in March 2010, making Monday's arrest the fifth allegation of drinking and driving against Ziemann within about a year and a half.

"It seems to me that if he has access to a car it's only a matter of time until he kills someone," Assistant State's Attorney Mary Buck said during Ziemann's bail review hearing in Harford County District Court Tuesday.

Eva Cocherham, appearing at the bail review on behalf of Ziemann under the supervision of Assistant Public Defender Michael Ambridge, said Ziemann attends classes at Harford Community College, works at a restaurant and has lived in Harford County for 24 years.

Cocherham said Ziemann has an admitted problem with alcohol and has been seeking treatment.

Ziemann's mother, Charlene Ziemann, spoke on his behalf at the hearing.

She said she and her husband got rid of their son's car that morning and are trying to get him into an inpatient program.

Charlene Ziemann explained her son is an excluded driver on their insurance policy and since his car has been disposed of, he will not have access to a vehicle except with cab fare or a ride from another driver.

"What he's done is not acceptable," Charlene Ziemann said.

She said she and her husband will not accept their son's behavior and have been working with their son to get him help.

"He has demonstrated an extreme danger to the community," Buck said.

Buck said despite his parents efforts to deprive him of a car, she feels he is a serious danger and asked that Patrick Ziemann be held without bail.

District Court Judge John Dunnigan warned Patrick Ziemann his probation expired in June and the April 2011 charge may cause a charge that he violated that probation.

Dunnigan added Ziemann's private attorney or the public defender can always request an additional bail hearing to request he be released to an inpatient alcohol program if those involved can find an appropriate option.

Dunnigan then ordered Patrick Ziemann be held without bail and said one of his main concerns is Ziemann's young age and the damage he could have caused to himself or others by getting behind the wheel after drinking.

Dunnigan added the damage Ziemann is doing to himself and his family is also a concern, but one for another day.