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Virginia Lawmaker Takes Plea in DUI Arrest

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - A Virginia state lawmaker has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that state Del. Matthew James made a plea agreement Monday that allows him to avoid jail time if he stays out of trouble for the next year.

He also will need a restricted license to drive and an ignition interlock for six months.

Police said he had a blood alcohol content of 0.18 after he was arrested last year.

James is a Democrat who represents parts of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk. He declined to comment on the plea agreement or whether he planned to run for re-election.

His name will appear on the ballot. He was the only candidate to seek the Democratic nomination this spring.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.