Local

Winslow: No plans to resign after DUI arrest

ATLANTA — Atlanta City Councilwoman Cleta Winslow has no plans on resigning from office after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

She told Channel 2 Action News on Saturday that she plans to continue "to work hard for the citizens." The statement comes after Atlanta police said Winslow was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road and ran a red light before being pulled over Tuesday night. Winslow was released from jail Wednesday morning on a $3,355 bond.

On Saturday, Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach found Winslow in front of the Mall West End, a section of the fourth district she serves in southwest Atlanta. Winslow was joined by constituents to celebrate the groundbreaking on Atlanta's $1.5 million Streetscape project. In addition to the revitalization project, Gehlbach asked for Winslow's comments about her arrest, but she declined to discuss the matter along with allegations that she was drunk behind the wheel.

However, Winslow did say she plans to run for re-election on the council, a position she's held since 1993.

"Well, I want to say I am going to be running for re-election. I'm going to continue to work hard for the citizens," Winslow said.

She also shared her appreciation to those who have shown their support amid the controversy surrounding her arrest.

"This has not been an easy week for me. It's been a difficult week, but many people have called me and extended their prayers out to me, and they are holding me on high and I'm very appreciative of that," she added.

"Do you owe anyone an apology here?" Gehlbach asked.

"As I said, there will be some other information coming out, and I do have an attorney and I would just like to leave it there for right now," Winslow said.

Winslow's lawyer, meanwhile, maintains that she was not driving drunk when she was arrested Tuesday night.

"She admitted she was drinking and driving. That is not against the law in Georgia. It is only against the law if you are an impaired driver; we are asserting she was not an impaired driver," said attorney Jackie Patterson.

The police report stated Winslow appeared to be impaired. She admitted to consuming two martinis, but declined to take any sobriety tests.

"No one can force you to take field sobriety tests, walk the line, or even a breath or blood test. She chose to exercise her constitutional right. That doesn't mean you're guilty," said Patterson.

In addition to DUI, Winslow faces several charges, including driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to stop for a stop sign and red light violation.