FRANKLIN, Ind. -- A repeat drunken driver is headed back to jail after she was caught driving on a suspended license.
Special judge Kent Apsley ordered Julia Compton into custody and revoked her bond following a court hearing Thursday morning.
Police pulled over Julia Compton on September 27 at 8:29 a.m. in the 2200 block of East 2nd St. in Bloomington and cited her for driving on a suspended license.
Compton is currently facing more than a decade in prison after her third arrest for drunk driving.
She’s charged as a habitual vehicular substance offender.
“It was poor judgment,” Compton told the judge. “It's hard sometimes to do the right thing and sometimes you don't know what the right thing is.”
Compton has been going through treatment at a residential treatment facility, Amethyst House, in Bloomington and has been sober since February.
The judge was concerned that Compton violated the law, yet again.
“I made it explicitly clear you were not to be behind the wheel,” said Judge Apsley. “I don't think I could have made that any clearer.”
The judge also criticized Compton for not being forthcoming with the Amethyst House about having a vehicle outside the facility, as well as her citation for driving on a suspended license.
“You said It's not hard to know what the right thing,” said Apsley. “It’s not. You do what the court tells you to do.”
Apsley revoked Compton’s bond and ordered her to the Johnson County jail, where she will likely remain until the case is resolved.
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Compton’s attorney and her supporters asked the judge to let Compton stay in treatment for alcoholism.
“She can't stay in jail forever,” said Compton’s attorney Mike Kyle told Call 6 Investigates. “Ultimately she's going to be released. I think she's better off if she's able to continue with her treatment and get the help she needs and deal with her issues.”
Her trial on the four pending criminal charges, including drunken driving and being a habitual offender, is scheduled for December 19.
Compton did not answer questions from Call 6 Investigates as she was headed into court with her friends and family.
Compton was very vocal during a 2012 drunken driving arrest.
“I’m an attorney, please don’t do this,” Compton told the officer. “I will do whatever you want me to do.”
A chemical test showed Compton’s blood alcohol at .23, nearly three times the legal limit.
“I’m a f****** lawyer, alright?” said Compton. “I will call the judge, ok?”
Compton’s law license is currently suspended and Compton said she can apply for reinstatement after six months.
However, it’s possible the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission could take action if Compton is convicted on the pending drunken driving charges.
“She has made huge progress in her recovery and I support her recovery, and her recovery helps the community,” said Kyle. “I am obviously disappointed. I was really hoping she could continue her treatment outside of jail. But we just have to respect the judge’s decision at this point and work our way through this.”
Compton faces a decade in prison if convicted.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is pushing for Compton to spend time in prison.
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