J.T. Barrett will have his driver's license suspended for six months and will have to complete a three-day alcohol education program for his citation for impaired driving.
Barrett appeared in Franklin County Municipal Court Tuesday morning. Standing alongside his attorney, Barrett pleaded guilty to an OVI charge. His attorney told the judge he accepted responsibility for his actions and had apologized to his teammates.
“Yes, I just wanted to apologize to my family for this embarrassment and also the Ohio State football program and also Buckeye Nation," Barrett said.
Barrett told the court he was "truly sorry."
Barrett was cited early Halloween morning at a police checkpoint near the OSU campus. He reportedly had a .099 blood-alcohol level.
Barrett is 20 years old, and the legal limit for drivers under 21 is .02.
Barrett's attorney Phillip Templeton said Barrett was at home drinking, but he did not intend to drive. Templeton said it was Barrett trying to help a friend that got him out on the road.
“Mr. Barrett had a friend show up at his home who was heavily intoxicated, and he made the decision to take that person home. He now recognizes, of course, that was a poor decision," Templeton said.
Franklin Co. Judge H. William Pollitt sentenced Barrett to a three-day alcohol program, a $400 fine and suspended his license for 6 months.
Templeton said the sentence was standard for a first OVI offense.
OSU head coach Urban Meyer told reporters, last week, Barrett said he didn't think he was impaired when he got behind the wheel.
Barrett was suspended for last week’s game, but is the likely starter heading into Saturday’s game at Illinois.
