Albany Man Guilty of Driving With Dazzling Headlights

Have you heard of "dazzling headlights"? We hadn't either until this press release but it apparently means when you drive with lights that blind other nearby drivers.

Now  you know...

--Danielle Sanzone


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ALBANY, NY – District Attorney P. David Soares announced that JORDAN YOUNG, 25, of Albany, was found guilty after a bench trial of (1) Count of Driving with Dazzling Headlights, a Traffic Infraction, before the Honorable Judge Helena Heath in Albany City Court on October 16, 2014. 

On May 24, 2014, at approximately 1:43am, in the area of Morris and Knox Streets in the City of Albany, an Albany Police Officer observed a 1994 Honda vehicle driving with unauthorized dazzling headlights, also known as high beams.  In addition, the officer observed rear and side windows of the vehicle to not be transparent.  Based on these observations, the officer instructed the driver of the vehicle to pull over.

During the trial, testimony about YOUNG’S demeanor was presented, including the officer’s observations of slurred speech, glassy eyes, the odor of alcoholic beverage, and the defendant’s initial assertion that he had not been drinking.  A video of the interaction was also presented at trial, which included YOUNG later admitting to drinking one beer, failing multiple field sobriety tests, and defendant’s conduct during the entirety of the traffic stop, including when the defendant was asked to submit to a breath analysis.  The video also shows YOUNG eating chicken during the traffic stop and delaying the administration of the field sobriety tests.

YOUNG was charged with (1) Count of Driving While Intoxicated, a Misdemeanor, and traffic infractions including a Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test, Side Window Not Transparent, Rear Window Not Transparent, Unauthorized Use of Color Headlights, and Driving with Dazzling Headlights.   

The Judge acquitted YOUNG of the Driving While Intoxicated count, in addition to the traffic infractions of Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test, Side Window Not Transparent, Rear Window Not Transparent, and Unauthorized Use of Color Headlights.  YOUNG was found guilty of Driving with Dazzling Headlights.

“It is not often that a defendant is acquitted of charges when we have video evidence at trial that includes footage of the traffic infractions and the defendant’s conduct during the entirety of the traffic stop, including when the defendant was asked to submit to a breath analysis,” commented DA David Soares.

YOUNG was sentenced to pay $50 in fines and surcharges after the verdict.

Assistant District Attorney Lee Wilson prosecuted this case.