Tent City Jail has had a lot of well known inmates over the years, and now one more has successfully completed his sentence. Mark Grace, former Arizona Diamondback, finished a four month sentence earlier this week and has been released.Grace was arrested back in August near 72nd Street and McCormick Parkway for expired tags on his license plate. As the responding officer spoke with Grace, the officer determined he was under the influence and arrested Grace on suspicion of driving under the influence. It was the former baseball player’s second DUI arrest in 15 months and though his prior sentence required him to drive with an ignition interlock device, his vehicle did not have one. An ignition interlock device is designed to prevent a car from starting if alcohol is detected on a driver’s breath in a certain quantity and driving without one when it has been required is a felony.
Grace is known in Arizona for his playing time with the Diamondbacks as well as a later career as an announcer with the organization. After he was arrested the second time, Grace took a leave from his position with the club but later was reinstated. In January of 2013, Grace pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and endangerment as part of a plea deal. He also underwent alcohol counseling which he self described as going well.
Grace was sentenced to twelve hours a day in Tent City, Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s solution to jail overcrowding that places inmates in an outdoor facility comprised mainly of military surplus tents. Grace was released during the day to continue his employment as a coach on the staff of a Diamondbacks minor league team and he returned every night to sleep in the jail. He now faces two years of probation as part of the original plea deal.
Grace has given several interviews while in Tent City, including one with Sheriff Arpaio, and in many of them, he has taken responsibilities for his actions and encouraged others, especially children, to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Fortunately, Grace was arrested after a routine traffic stop and before he caused a collision with another car, bicyclist, or a pedestrian. Though no one was hurt in this instance of drunk driving, many times driving under the influence leads to injuries through collisions, and leaves those injured with questions about their rights.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are Arizona drunk driving injury lawyers with a record of success for our clients. From the first day through the end of a case, we work hard for the financial recovery our clients deserve. We never charge a fee up front and we only charge a fee if we make a recovery on your behalf, so if you have been injured in a drunk driving accident, call the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today at (602) 819-5191 and take advantage of our free telephone consultation.
Prior Blog Entries:
Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Pedestrian in Glendale, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 6, 2013.
Two Planes Collide, Killing Four in Northern Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 5, 2013.
Resources:
Mark Grace completes 4-month jail term for DUI, Fox 10 News, published June 10, 2013.
Mark Grace speaks out on life in Tent City Jail, by Jessica Flores, Fox 10 News, published May 20, 2013.
Former Dback Mark Grace sentenced to jail in DUI case, by Mia Garcia, Fox 10 News, published February 5, 2013.
Diamondbacks announcer Mark Grace arrested for DUI, Fox 10 News, published August 29, 2012.
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