Newly re-elected Howland trustee LaPolla convicted of OVI

Staff report

NILES

James J. LaPolla Jr., who was re-elected Howland Township trustee Tuesday night, pleaded no contest Wednesday in Niles Municipal Court to a 2016 operating-a-motor-vehicle-impaired offense.

LaPolla, 54, of Bayhill Drive, who is also a podiatrist, was found guilty and ordered to pay a $400 fine and court costs.

A charge of failing to drive in marked lanes was dismissed.

A Niles police officer charged LaPolla with OMVI and not driving in marked lanes at 2:11 a.m. Oct. 29, 2016, at the intersection of U.S. Route 422 and Frederick Street after the officer saw Lapolla’s car stop abruptly at the stoplight at U.S. Route 422 and North Road.

According to a police report, Lapolla turned east on Route 422, and the vehicle went left of center and in the turn lane for about 400 meters. It then drifted left of the yellow lane marker, back into the travel lane and then in the turn lane. The officer then made a traffic stop.

Lapolla told the officer he had consumed four drinks. He failed field-sobriety tests and was taken to the Niles Police Department, police said. LaPolla refused to take a breath test to determine his blood-alcohol level and was released on a summons to appear in court.

LaPolla’s attorney, Robert Shaker, entered a written not-guilty plea for LaPolla Nov. 1, 2016, at his arraignment, preventing LaPolla from having to appear at the hearing.

Shaker and Niles Prosecutor Terry Swauger then sought continuances in the case several times over the past year.