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Former Del. Thomas Baker charged with drunken driving in Pulaski County

Baker, who serves as Dublin town attorney, was also charged over refusing a blood or breath test.

Thomas Baker

Melissa Powell | 381-8621

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Dublin town attorney and former state delegate Thomas Baker has been charged with driving under the influence after being pulled over on a Wednesday morning.

According to the complaint, an officer with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office on March 20 noticed a 1999 Chevrolet two-door on U.S. 11, near Morehead Lane , that was drifting off to the right side of the road and traveling into the left lane.

The officer pulled the vehicle over about 8 a.m., identified Baker and “smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage about the vehicle,” according to the complaint. Baker was asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he could not complete, and was taken into custody and brought to the magistrate’s office, the complaint states.

Baker, 56, was charged with a DUI — his first offense, according to court records — and with a civil violation for refusing a blood or breath test. He was released on his own recognizance just after midnight on March 21, according to jail records.

Baker could not be reached for comment this week.

According to his profile on a New River Community College Web page, Baker has been a full-time faculty member since 2005. He is listed as a professor of legal administrative support technology and paralegal studies.

His profile also lists him as the Dublin town attorney since 1992. Town Manager Bill Parker said Baker is appointed by the town council annually and receives a $400 monthly retainer.

Baker, a Pulaski County native, was a Republican member of the House of Delegates from 1990 to 2000, during which time he was chairman of the Court of Justice Committee for one year.

Baker’s next court date is scheduled for June 17, according to online records.

Monday, August 12, 2013