Carpinteria City Councilmember Joe Armendariz received a typical sentence for a two-time convicted DUI offender Monday morning, four months after crashing his car off Highway 101.
He was sentenced to 61 days in County Jail, three years of probation, and an 18-month diversion class. His license will also be suspended for a year. He is eligible for electronic monitoring, in lieu of jail time.
Originally, Armendariz hoped to be a part of a program where his sentencing would take place in front of a school assembly, to teach children about the dangers and consequences of driving drunk. But it didn’t work out logistically, so Armendariz was sentenced in front of Judge Jim Herman instead.
Armendariz — who allegedly had a 0.18 blood-alcohol level when he crashed his vehicle last December — has said he will not step down from the council, but that he is getting help. “He remains committed to his recovery,” said his attorney, Joshua Lynn. This was his second DUI in less than six years.
While Armendariz said he wouldn’t give up his seat on the dais, the other councilmembers voted to take away his assignments on various committees.