LANCASTER – A Lancaster Architectural and Design Commissioner was sentenced to probation last month for a drunken driving incident that occurred in April, according to court records.
Andrew “Drew” Mercy, 34, pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of driving while having a .08% or higher blood alcohol. A no-contest plea has the same immediate effect as a guilty plea.
In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dismissed a misdemeanor charge against Mercy for driving under the influence of alcohol, court records show.
Mercy was immediately sentenced to 36 months summary probation and fined $1,937.
According to the terms of his probation, Mercy must complete a nine-month first-offender alcohol counseling program and install an ignition interlock device on his vehicle, which tests a breath sample and prevents the car from starting if the driver has been drinking. Mercy was also sentenced to three days in county jail, but given two days credit for time served. He was given the option to complete a one-day Mothers Against Drunk Drivers program in lieu of the one day in jail, according to court records.
The conviction stems from an arrest, which occurred on April 12, when Mercy’s vehicle was stopped near Avenue I and Redwood Avenue in Lancaster. Mercy failed a sobriety test, and he was arrested on suspicion of DUI around 10:45 p.m. and booked at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
Mercy’s blood-alcohol content tested at .19 percent, more than twice the legal limit, according to court records.
Mercy sits on the city of Lancaster’s Architectural and Design Commission, he is a past president of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade, and he is the Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, 36th Assembly District Central Committee.
Mercy also serves as George Runner’s Senior Advisor for Taxpayer Advocacy at the California State Board of Equalization, District 2.
Mercy had been scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 14, but entered the plea instead.
Previous related story: Runner aide faces drunk driving charges
Editor’s Note: Mercy originally faced two misdemeanor charges – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (23152a) and driving with BAC of .08% or higher (23152b). He pleaded no contest to 23152b, and in exchange, 23152a was dismissed.
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Just Me says
Well good for him, I guess. He keeps his job good way to send a message to us paying his salary. But, does he drive city vehicles I mean Won’t he get his DL suspended for a month? How much more can the city bend over for him? I don’t know I wouldn’t want an irresponsible employee having a say in this great city of ours.
Mr. Mister says
So can we all plead no contest to a DUI and have the DUI dismissed? And not have any adverse impact on our insurance or license? He wasn’t just at .08, he more than doubled it and got the easy way out. WTF?? I would like to know how us ‘regular’ citizens can get this ‘fair’ treatment…
Mr. Mister says
Not to mention no jail time at all! 66.66% of his jail time auto-credited and the remaining time he can just take a MADD class?! This is ludacris. Had it been a normal citizen, they would’ve got the shaft. I guess it helps when you have the biggest attorney in town on your side, who also happens to be the mayor. I smell, sniff sniff, BULL$#!T!
fulmenjacio says
That is a standard sentence for a first time offender. The 23152a is implied if the offender is in violation of 23152b (indicated by the breath/ blood test). This guy didn’t receive any special treatment and based on the fine amount and the length the alcohol classes, (9 months instead of the standard 6), it looks like he was hit with an enhancement for a BAC of .15% or greater, (23578 VC). Look it up before you make unfounded allegations.
Nancy P says
This doesn’t make sense. If he plead “no contest” to one misdemeanor count of driving while having a .08% or higher blood alcohol, and, in exchange for the plea, prosecutors dismissed a misdemeanor charge against Mercy for driving under the influence of alcohol, what did he plead “no contest” to?
No contest being the same as a guilty plea.
The AV Times Staff says
Mercy originally faced two misdemeanor charges – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (23152a) and driving with BAC of .08% or higher (23152b). He pleaded no contest to 23152b, and in exchange, 23152a was dismissed. The story should have made that more clear.
Nancy P says
How are those 2 different charges? Sounds like “who’s on first joke”.
Michael Rives says
If a person makes an anti-gay slur, like Stan Muhamad did, he should resign as a commissioner for the city of Lancaster. If a commissioner drives intoxicated, he should resign, too. I mean, what do you have do to get fired by Mayor Parris?
Mr. Mister says
Speak highly of the mayor of Palmdale!
les says
Thanks for the laugh Mr. Mister!
Maria Paesano says
Really? All this guy gets one DUI and gets 36 months probation, is fined $2000, has to have an interlock device put on his vehicle, has to attend a 9 month class and serve 3 days in jail!!! But people convicted of rape, robbery, assault, drugs, murder, etc. ( and these are charges of 1 person ) are allowed out of prison and don’t even have to report to a probation officer! After reading all of the councils/ boards he serves on I would bet just about anything his arrest was POLITICAL. Mr. Mercy, if you happened to read this, I have some info for you and would like to speak with you as soon as possible.
Ed Sileo says
Planning Commissioners get badges?!?
As of 2010, they didn’t.
If they do, it occurred on the current mayor’s watch.
That said, I would need to see proof that Commissioners are issued badges.
Even Sheriff Baca has stopped issuing badges to elected officials (from the bad publicity arising from misuse of badges).
Me says
This really doesn’t surprise me as the Planning commissioners daughter ran me and my sister off the road last year deliberately out of road rage and anger over situation with our kids in the vehicle, after the police arrived and HE brandished his badge of commissioner they turned their heads and acted as if we were didn’t even make a report.