The daughter of a well-known New York state attorney avoided getting a DWI charge despite a video that has emerged of her admitting to having 'a couple of beers' before getting behind the wheel.
A Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy pulled over 21-year-old Rachel Winter, who is the daughter of attorney Ron Winter, who authorities in the area say they know 'very well', according to WIVB.
In the deputy's bodycam footage, Winter is heard telling the officer that she 'had a couple of beers at a friend's house', but said she waited long enough before getting on the road.
Rachel Winter (pictured), 21, who is the daughter of well-known New York state attorney, Ron Winter, avoided getting a DWI charge despite a video that has emerged of her admitting to having 'a couple of beers' before getting behind the wheel
Winter is heard telling the a Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy that she 'had a couple of beers at a friend's house', but said she waited long enough before getting on the road
Winter is then seen in the video performing a couple of field sobriety tests.
The officer is later heard telling his supervisor Lt Steve Broderick that Winter did poorly on the tests and she refused to take a breathalyzer.
During the deputy's conversation with his supervisor, Broderick tells him that he knows Winter's father 'very well'.
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ShareMr Winter currently works as a law clerk for State Supreme Court Justice Richard Kloch, Sr.
He is also a member of the Niagara County District Attorney's Office.
During the arrest, Rachel Winter is able to call her father to ask if she should take the breathalyzer test, which would determine her alcohol level.
Winter (left) is then seen in the video performing a couple of field sobriety tests. The officer is later heard telling his supervisor Lt Steve Broderick that Winter did poorly on the tests and she refused to take a breathalyzer
During the deputy's conversation with his supervisor, Broderick tells him that he knows Winter's (left) father, Ron Winter (right) 'very well'. Rachel Winter was able to call her father at the scene and he asks to speak to the deputy
But her father then asks to speak to the deputy. Mr Winter asks the deputy if he 'recognizes' his name.
When the deputy says 'no', Winter asks the officer if there is any way to 'not have this happen?'
'Is there anything we can do?' he asks the officer.
Ron Winter asks the deputy: 'Is there anything we can do?'
Rachel Winter was charged with a DWI but upon arrival to the sheriff's office for booking, Broderick asked the deputy if he felt comfortable downgrading the DWI charge to something less serious, according to WIVB.
The deputy agrees to downgrade the charge. But months later the bodycam footage is viewed by the Niagara County District Attorney's Office, which then questioned the sheriff's office about the incident.
The DA's officer determined that Broderick improperly intervened and he was disciplined.
Rachel Winter was charged again with DWI, but just last week Niagara Falls City Court Judge Robert Merino dismissed the charge and issued an apology to Winter, according to the station.
Merino said he agreed with Joseph Cardone, the Orleans County District Attorney, who said he didn't believe what he saw on the body camera video proved Winter was drunk.
Instead, Winter pleaded guilty to failure to maintain her lane and driving without headlights.
Rachel Winter (center left and right) was charged with a DWI but it was dismissed last week. Instead, Winter pleaded guilty to failure to maintain her lane and driving without headlights
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