Edwards' DWI hearing put off until March
The Jets' Braylon Edwards had his court date on DWI charges postponed until March. Credit: AP
Jets receiver Braylon Edwards, due in New York Criminal Court Tuesday on DWI charges stemming from an arrest last Sept. 21, has been granted an adjournment until March 7. While Edwards continues preparations for the team's next playoff game, against New England on Sunday, his lawyer requested and received the postponement until after the season.
Edwards' attorney, Peter Frankel, previously confirmed discussions of a possible plea deal in the case - one of several possible outcomes including dismissal of the charges, acquittal or conviction. The change in his court date was first reported early by ESPNNewYork.com.
Edwards, 27, faces two counts of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and one for driving while impaired, with a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail. Five days after his September arrest, Edwards was benched for the first quarter of the Jets' 31-23 victory over Miami but played the remainder of the game and caught a 67-yard touchdown pass.
Yesterday's court delay came after Edwards contributed a vital 18-yard catch that set up the Jets' winning field in their wild-card upset of Indianapolis on Saturday.
Edwards already was serving an 18-month probation for aggravated disorderly conduct when he was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .16 - twice the legal limit - in September, based on his no-contest plea for allegedly punching a man outside a nightclub in Cleveland in 2009, when he still was a member of the Cleveland Browns.
If convicted on the DWI charge and found to have violated the terms of probation, he could face an additional six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. And he could be subject to the NFL's personal conduct policy, which could bring a fine and a suspension.
The Newark Star-Ledger last week quoted Jets receivers coach Henry Ellard calling Edwards' DWI incident a "blessing in disguise" and noted his increased commitment to the team. Edwards will become an unrestricted free agent after the season but Monday posted on Twitter his declaration that "I love the jets and will do anything to stay here. I need the jet nation to speak on my behalf."
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