A elementary school teacher in Atlantic County pleaded guilty in Superior Court on Tuesday to driving under the influence and was sentenced to a year of probation and the loss of her driving privileges.
Christina Rivera was charged May 30 with driving while intoxicated and other offenses after Vineland police pulled over a vehicle she was operating on Oak Road with her 7-year-old daughter as a passenger.
Police suspected the 28-year-old woman of drunken driving after allegedly observing her drive through two stop signs.
Rivera was taken to the city police station, where she was charged with driving while intoxicated, failing to submit to a breathalyzer test, two counts of failing to stop at a stop sign and reckless driving. She was facing potential indictable-level charges of child endangerment.
In court Thursday, Rivera pleaded guilty to failing to submit to a breathalyzer test, driving under the influence and a disorderly persons offense, all misdemeanors.
She admitted consuming two or three glasses of wine at a restaurant in Vineland the night she was arrested prior to leaving the restaurant and operating her vehicle.
Rivera also admitted to refusing a breathalyzer test.
In addition to probation and being stripped of her driving privileges for a year, Rivera was sentenced to over $800 in fines.
Rivera is employed as a 4th-grade teacher in the Mullica Township School District.
The future of her job is unknown.
A principal who answered the phone Tuesday appeared surprised that Rivera pleaded guilty. She directed inquiries to the district superintendent, who was unavailable for comment.
A lawyer representing Rivera said he was “hopeful” Rivera would remain employed.
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