Stevens gets jail time

Bucs tight end Jerramy Stevens was sentenced to 12 days in jail and received $3,160 in fines today after his drunk-driving conviction last month in Scottsdale, Ariz.

But Stevens won't miss any action on the field -- at least not yet.

Facing 30 days in jail, he had his sentence immediately stayed by Judge B. Monte Morgan pending the outcome of an appeal by Stevens' attorney. The attorney, James Nesci, told the Times recently that he planned to appeal the conviction, adding that the future legal wrangling likely means there won't be an outcome until after the football season. That should allow Stevens to stay on the field and serve any jail time in the offseason, Nesci said.

Stevens had 18 days of his mandatory 30-day sentence suspended because he is participating in NFL-mandated alcohol rehabilitation. He was arrested in the early-morning hours of March 13 in Scottsdale for driving erractically. His blood-alcohol content was found to be 0.204 percent, which in Arizona qualifies as an extreme DUI. The state's legal limit is 0.08 percent.

Stevens, who signed with the Bucs a month after his arrest, was present for today's hearing but should return to Tampa in time to participate in Wednesday's team workout at One Buc Place.

Comments

[John P]

Zero catches, zero yards. The 2007 stats for Stevens would seem to show the team wasn't holding it's breath on the outcome of the case. Add a 4 game suspension (probably) from the NFL on top of the sentencing and Jerramy is probably out of a job. Too bad really, I hoped he'd have a future with the Bucs.

[DR]

He better be suspended for 4 games at least by the NFL. Not that it really matters. He couldn't catch a cold in the artic circle.

[DR]

Unless Roy Williams was covering him.

[Stephen Blackehart]

He might not get suspended, as it's unclear whether he was still in the league's program.

[Kurt]

I don't understand why we hold such high standards for football players and let our leaders get away with the same things - Bush/Cheney both convicted of DUI in the past. You should lose your license for life if you get caught drinking and driving and then no-one would do it. I wonder why they haven't made the laws to prevent the acts? In other news, we should keep Stevens as he is definitely better than Becht.

[DR]

Kurt, it just wouldn't be american if we held our "leaders" to the same standards as normal everyday people. If a military member did the same things as our congressmen, they would be booted out with a dishonorable discharge. Yet, these same "leaders" can put our sons and daughters at risk for their causes. Ironic. I wish we would have a complete overhaul of politicians and replace them with the hard workers who keep this country rolling.
Cut Stevens, he's done nothing for this team and i don't see him being productive. Bring some younger guys in who want it more and let them play special teams.