Southampton, NY – Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated following an arrest in Long Island last July.
According to Newsday, Kidd received interim probation from judge Andrea Schiavoni at Southampton Criminal Justice Court. The recently retired guard will also have to perform a pair of speaking engagements to local high school students on the dangers of driving drunk as part of the agreement.
The Suffolk County district attorney's office stated that Kidd must complete his sentence prior to a return date at court scheduled for Sept. 30. As long his requirements are satisfied, the 40-year-old's DWI conviction will be reduced to a lesser charge of driving while impaired.
Kidd still does face the possibility of beginning his coaching career with a brief suspension for the arrest, which occurred in the early morning hours of July 15, 2012 after he crashed his 2010 Cadillac Escalade into a light pole in the Long Island suburb. The 10-time All-Star, who had just signed with the New York Knicks, was transported to Southampton Hospital to treat minor injuries.
Several reports verified that Kidd had been partying heavily at an area club on the night of the crash and had to be helped out of the establishment prior to him getting into his vehicle.
Kidd announced his retirement after a decorated 19-year NBA playing career in June and was named the Nets' new head coach later that month, replacing the fired P.J. Carlesimo.
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