No Charges Filed Against Judge Howard Simms in DUI

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Judge Howard Simms will not be charged in connection to a DUI traffic stop back in September.

On September 22, Judge Simms was pulled over at a safety check on Lamar Road. According to deputies, Simms showed a blood alcohol level of .083, over the state’s legal limit. A Bibb County deputy chose to follow Simms home instead of arresting him. Bibb County Sheriff Jerry Modena said that decision is now shaping the case.

Modena met with the Bibb County Solicitors earlier this week and unless more information is provided no charges will be filed. Modena admits Judge Simms traffic violation was improperly documented. The officers did not perform an in-depth field sobriety test and no incident report was filed. Modena knows his officers “messed up”.

“He should’ve been arrested and brought down here,” Modena said, “It would have been good to show how much impairment he was under. It would have been good because that’s what the law says. It should have been good because it would have clarified some questions that all of us have.”

Both officers involved were suspended and reprimanded as a result of the case. Officers were also provided additional training to make sure this type of situation doesn’t happen again.