Police say Oakland County circuit judge candidate caught driving drunk

Video shows Julie McDonald apparently failing road sobriety test

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – One of the many important elections upcoming in Metro Detroit is for a judgeship in Oakland County, and video has emerged of a candidate allegedly being stopped for driving drunk, police said.

According to a police video, Julie McDonald failed a road sobriety test in September being caught speeding down the street.

She avoided a drunken-driving charge, but now a group of her critics have become her opponents.

Police said McDonald smelled of alcohol after being caught speeding up Woodward Avenue. It was 10:45 a.m. when she blew a .102, according to authorities.

Many residents in the area think the Royal Oak city attorney did McDonald a favor by dropping her DUI charge this week in favor of a littering charge.

Corrine Shoop is one of four veteran Oakland County lawyers now running for the same judgeship as a write-in candidate, but McDonald is the only name on the ballot.

McDonald was running unopposed for the $145,000 per year seat.

Royal Oak city attorney David Gillum told Local 4 he stands by the plea agreement after looking at the facts in the case.

ORIGINALOakland County Circuit Court judge candidate arrested on suspicion of drunken driving


About the Authors

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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