Justin Lee Griggs, 39, of Hillsboro, a persistent offender, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for driving while intoxicated, court papers show.
On Aug. 6, 2014, a Jefferson County deputy pulled over Griggs at Osage Drive and Sandy Church Road in the Hillsboro area for driving a car with license plates that were registered to a different vehicle, the probable-cause statement said.
Griggs, who had five previous DWI convictions, smelled like alcohol, so the deputy had him take a field sobriety test, which he failed, the report said.
He refused to take a breath test. In addition, Griggs was driving with a revoked license, according to the report.
Griggs pleaded guilty to DWI – chronic offender and to driving with a revoked license, both felonies, and on Nov. 18, Jefferson County Div. 6 Circuit Judge Troy A. Cardona sentenced him to 10 years for the DWI and to four years for driving while revoked. Those terms are to be served concurrently, or at the same time. In addition, he may be released early if he successfully completes a 24-month treatment program, court records indicate.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Thomas E. Hollingsworth handled the case.
The two terms also are to be served concurrent with three four-year terms Griggs is serving for prior convictions, including DWI and driving while revoked, according to court documents.
He previously pleaded guilty to DWIs in March 2000, May 2000 and September 2008 for incidents in Jefferson County and in September 2000 for an incident in Wayne County and in November 2008 for an incident in St. Francois County, court papers indicate.
Griggs currently is in the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correction Center in Bonne Terre.