Press Release: People v. Wright, Antoine, 1/11/11

January 11, 2011
R. Scott Owens

District Attorney

PLACER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

10810 Justice Center Drive, Suite 240
Roseville, California 95678

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Date: January 11, 2011

Contact:

Art Campos

Public Information Officer

916-543-8076

Jeff Wilson

Assistant District Attorney

916-543-8000

FORMER SACRAMENTO KINGS PLAYER IS PLACED

ON THREE YEARS PROBATION FOR DUI INCIDENT

Former Sacramento Kings basketball player Antoine Wright was sentenced today to three years of informal probation for a drunken driving arrest November 5 in Rocklin.

Wright, 26, who was not present at the sentencing, was also given a 15-day jail term by Placer County Superior Court Judge Alan Pineschi, who said the defendant could apply for alternative sentencing such as a work project or home detention.

Wright’s attorney, William Portanova, entered a plea of no contest for his client to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

Two other misdemeanor counts - unlicensed driver and driving with a blood alcohol level of.08% or higher - were dismissed in the plea arrangement with the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutor Matt Block said the former Kings player had a blood alcohol level of 0.20%. In California, a person is considered legally intoxicated at a level of 0.08%.

Judge Pineschi also imposed a fine of $450 against Wright, who was released by the Sacramento Kings on November 29. Portanova told the court that Wright is no longer in California.

Pineschi, who gave Wright credit for one day of time served, said the defendant must report to the Placer County jail on March 30 to serve the remaining 14 days unless he applies for and is granted alternative sentencing conditions from the Placer County Probation Department.