Jarrett Pleads Guilty
By John White
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett has pleaded guilty to driving while impaired stemming from an arrest on March 11.
Jarrett surrendered his driver’s license during a hearing in Mecklenburg County District Court, and was ordered to pay $420 in court costs and perform 24 hours of community service. Jarrett will enter the first stage of the NFL’s substance abuse program, meaning he will be subject to more frequent tests for drugs and alcohol.
“This is a thing that happened and you learn from your mistakes,” Jarrett said. “You always have to take the right steps in everything you do. That’s life in general. I took full responsibility for what happened. I’m here in court. Everything worked out.”
The 21-year-old Jarrett was arrested March 11 in the suburb of Mint Hill after police said he crossed the center line and ran a red light. The police report said Jarrett’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12, above North Carolina’s 0.08 legal limit for driving.
The DWI arrest capped a tumultuous first season for Jarrett.