DWI case against attorney Bell refiled

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office Tuesday refiled a DWI charged against prominent attorney Ron Bell based on the alleged level of amphetamines in his system.

Bell was arrested on June 19 after a Bernalillo County deputy sheriff stopped him for allegedly weaving in traffic on Tramway Boulevard NE in Albuquerque. The deputy reported Bell failed a field sobriety test although subsequent breath test show Bell had not consumed alcohol.

The deputy also reported finding prescription drugs in Bell's car. Bell consented to a blood test, and the district attorney dropped the DWI charge pending the results of the test.

At a news conference shortly after his arrest Bell denied being impaired. When the results of the blood test were released, he said the small amount of methamphetamine in his system showed he had not taken a prescribed pill that day.

While there is no DWI standard for drug levels as there are for alcohol, the DA's office said impairment can be shown by other evidence and testimony. A statement from the district attorney said an expert reviewed the results of the blood test before a decision was made to refile the charges.

The blood test showed "a level of amphetamines present in Bell's blood in an amount rendering him incapable of safely driving a vehicle," according to the statement.

Bell will re arraigned on the charge in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court although a date has not yet been set.