Crime & Safety

Update: Ditka's Curfew Sticks

Michael Ditka back in court Tuesday on DUI charges.

Michael Ditka will have to continue to adhere to his pre-trial bond services curfew, after a judge denied his lawyer’s request to lift the restriction in court on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to modify the terms of bond at this time,” the judge commented, which means Ditka’s 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will stick. Ditka was originally placed under a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew after his April DUI arrest; however, the curfew was later changed because of work conflicts.

The 49-year-old son of former Bears coach Mike Ditka was originally arrested on April 20. Police say they spotted his 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, police claim Ditka had “red blood shot eyes and slurred words.” But according to Ditka’s lawyer Robert Ritacca, Ditka wasn’t actually driving but instead sitting in a parked car.

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Court records show this is Ditka’s third time being charged with drunk driving. A judge previously notified the Deerfield resident that the charge is a class 2 felony. If convicted he could face 3-to-7 years behind bars and a $25,000 fine. Ditka plead not guilty to the charge during an arraignment hearing in July.

Ditka is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 1. A judge hopes to set a hearing date on all pre-trial motions as well as a trial date then.  

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