In this photo released by the Southampton, N.Y. Police, Monday, July 16, 2012, New York Knicks' Jason Kidd is shown following his arrest on Sunday, July 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Southampton Town Police)
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Knicks point guard Jason Kidd intends to fight a charge that he was drunk when he crashed his SUV into a telephone pole in the Hamptons over the summer, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Kidd, wearing a navy pinstriped suit and tie, said "good morning" to reporters outside Southampton Town Court on Long Island. But he didn't speak as he stood, back straight, facing the judge during his brief procedural appearance.
When asked about the allegations, attorney Edward Burke Jr. told reporters, "We are defending that."
"He is taking this very, very seriously," Burke said. "He wants to get this past him as quickly as possible. The legal process takes some time but he is ready for his season."
Kidd was arrested in July, days after signing with the Knicks. He suffered minor injuries when the vehicle hit the pole and veered into the woods in the hamlet of Water Mill.
The misdemeanor charge carries the potential for up to a year in jail.
A few days after his arrest, Kidd said on Twitter that he regretted "any disruption my accident ... may have caused members of the community." He also said he wanted to "thank the local authorities."
In another posting, Kidd thanked his family and friends for their support.
The Knicks signed Kidd away from the Dallas Mavericks in a $3 million a year deal. Kidd had played in New Jersey, leading the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances, before being traded to Dallas.
He helped the Mavericks win the 2011 NBA championship. Kidd is second on the NBA's career list in assists and steals.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist has been in trouble with the law before. While playing with Phoenix in 2001, he was arrested on a domestic violence charge and acknowledged that he struck his former wife.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:52:57 GMT
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
A lawsuit filed in 2005 claiming a suburban New York community discriminated against minorities in the way it approved local zoning policies is getting an airing in federal court.
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:19:35 GMT
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Long Island environmental officials say they are looking for another alligator seen in a river. According to Newsday, state Department of Environmental Conservation say the gator was reported on Sunday night and was confirmed by officers on Wednesday. The sighting is the fifth in the same area of the Peconic River where DEC officials captured four alligators in April.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:32 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:32:29 GMT
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
A pharmacist on Long Island defended himself from an attempted robbery by firing shots at the suspect Friday afternoon. Police say the incident happened inside Precision Pharmacy on Merrick Road in Bellmore around 3:30 p.m. 43-year-old Marc Gumpert entered the pharmacy and demanded the drugs Ritalin and Dilaudid. The 34-year-old pharmacist complied and handed over the drugs, but followed Gumpert outside. The pharmacist saw Gumpert inside his car. Gumpert saw the pharmacist, got out of...
In this photo released by the Southampton, N.Y. Police, Monday, July 16, 2012, New York Knicks' Jason Kidd is shown following his arrest on Sunday, July 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Southampton Town Police)
