Portage County judge, Becky Doherty, pleads guilty to DUI from KentWired.com on Vimeo.

Common Pleas judge who was arrested on DUI charges Feb. 10, was arraigned Friday at the Portage County Municipal Court in Kent.

Doherty pleaded guilty to driving under the influence (DUI).

Doherty was initially sentenced to 180 days in the Portage County jail with a fine of $1,075. The consequences were then shortened to three days in jail and a $375 fine.

The judge handling the hearing said this was a standard sentence for first-time offenders charged with a first-degree misdemeanor of an OVI.

Doherty’s license is suspended for one year, and she is also required to take a 72-hour Driver Intervention Program.

Doherty can only drive if it involves work, medical appointments or the Driver Intervention Program. She was still hearing cases throughout the following week.

“It goes to show that while we may wear a robe, we don’t wear a cape,” the judge handling Doherty’s arraignment said. “And we are human.”

After the arraignment, Doherty read the following statement:

“Please accept my apologies and my regret for my conduct. I have felt so blessed to be in a position of trust. I regret that I violated that trust. I have dedicated my career to upholding the law and trying to make a positive difference in the world. Unfortunately, I am human. I have made a terrible error in judgement that I must accept both the responsibility and the punishment for. Today I plead guilty to the charge of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in Kent Municipal Court. As a judge I make decisions every day that I pray will be the most thoughtful and fair for all concerned. I am humbled by and will learn from this experience and am confident it will make me a better judge and resident of our community. Thank you.