Charges against a Coffee County Commissioner accused of attending a commission meeting drunk have been dropped.
Officials said the public intoxication charge against Steen Jones was "dismissed with cost" after it was determined that he was "not a danger to himself, other people or an annoyance."
Charges “dismissed with cost,” mean the county is keeping the $363 bond Jones paid to get out of jail.
Jones was arrested and charged in early May. Manchester Police met Jones at his van after the meeting after receiving a tip he might be drunk.
He later told NewsChannel 5 he was not drunk, and wasn't even aware he had been placed under arrest. Jones said he thought the charges were politically motivated.
Coffee Co. Commissioner Disputes Arrest Of Public Intoxication
His attorney is expected to file a motion to contest the “dismissed with cost” provision. He said Jones shouldn’t have to pay any bond or court costs if the DA decided to drop the charges.
Additionally, Jones and his attorney said they were considering filing suit against several groups: Manchester Police, the City of Manchester and whoever tipped the police off about Jones supposedly being intoxicated for both malicious prosecution and slander.
