UPDATE: Ditka Faces July Arraignment

According to court records, Michael Ditka's arraignment has been set for July 8 in Lake County. 

Back in April, the Deerfield resident was charged with a DUI. This was the 49-year-old's third DUI charge.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Ditka's drunk driving charge was upgraded to a felony in May because of those two previous offenses. The website states he was arrested for drunk driving in Highwood in 2004 and again in Deerfield in 2008.   

A preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for Friday, was "stricken from call" according to court documents. 

-Previous article on May 11-

Michael Ditka, the son of former Bears coach Mike Ditka was in court Wednesday for his first hearing since charged with driving under the influence.

The Deerfield resident was arrested on April 20. Police say they spotted Ditka’s Hummer leaving the Deerfield Village Center around 11:45 p.m. and drive into the rear parking lot of the West Deerfield Township Building.  When officers approached the parked car, officers claim Ditka had “red blood shot eyes and slurred words.” 

According to a police report, Ditka was arrested after failing a field sobriety test.

But according to Ditka’s lawyer Robert Ritacca, Ditka wasn’t actually driving but instead sitting in a parked car. Ritacca says they’ve filed several motions including a notice to quash and suppress stop and arrest as well as a motion for video.  

Ditka appeared before a judge at the Lake County Courthouse Wednesday morning. He was given a $3,000 cash bond, which has already been posted.

The judge did not suspend Ditka’s license but he’s been ordered not to drive under the influence.

Ditka’s preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 24 at 10:30 a.m.   

-Previous article April 27-

Michael Ditka, the 49-year-old son of legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka, was charged with driving under the influence on April 20 in Deerfield.

According to a police report, an officer first spotted Ditka’s Hummer in the Deerfield Village Center around 11:45 p.m. While responding to another traffic stop, the officer says he watched the Hummer pull out of the center and drive into the rear parking lot of the a couple blocks away.

While approaching the vehicle, police say they saw a blonde woman in the front passenger’s seat “alert” Ditka who stepped out of the vehicle.

According to the police report, “the driver had red blood shot eyes and slurred his words.”

After failing a field sobriety test and blowing a .189 on a PBT test authorities say Ditka was arrested. The legal limit in Illinois is .08.

The Deerfield resident was handcuffed and transported to the police station where he posted a $100 cash bond. His court date is set for May 11 in Lake County.

According to Deerfield TribLocal, Ditka denied the charge and claims he wasn’t driving. “I was parked. The keys weren’t even in the ignition. I plan on pleading not guilty,” the website quotes Ditka saying and also states he believes he was targeted because of his famous name.