Originally published Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Former QB Warren Moon pleads guilty to negligent driving

Warren Moon, a Seahawks radio broadcaster and Hall of Fame NFL quarterback, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of negligent driving after being charged with DUI after his Dec. 28 arrest. Moon received a 90-day jail sentence, with 88 of those days suspended. He must serve either two days in jail or he could opt for five days electronically monitored home detention.

By Danny O'Neil

Seattle Times staff reporter

Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of negligent driving after being charged with DUI stemming his arrest on Dec. 28.

Moon, 51, received a 90-day jail sentence, with 88 of those days suspended. He must serve either two days in jail or five days of electronically monitored home detention. He was fined $1,000 with $500 of that total suspended.

Jon Scott Fox, Moon's attorney, said the sentence must be completed in the next 30 to 45 days. According to the court docket, Moon will be on probation for two years. He was ordered not to consume alcohol for 24 months.

Moon quarterbacked Washington to a 1978 Rose Bowl victory, and the Seahawks were one of four NFL teams he played for. Moon is a member of the Seahawks' radio broadcast team.

Moon was arrested by Medina police Dec. 28 after an officer said he refused field-sobriety tests and a breath test. He was charged with DUI in Kirkland Municipal Court, which contracts with Medina for court services.

"From our investigation, I wish that Warren had taken the breath test because I believe the results would have shown him to be under the legal limit," Fox said. "I felt the resolution of the case was appropriate because he was not convicted of a DUI.

"The result of negligent driving was appropriate to the case because that amounted to accepting responsibility for what he did."

Moon is expected to address the case at some point in the next few days.

The guilty plea was entered Tuesday in front of Judge Michael Lambo. Fox said the judge took into account that Moon has already undergone an alcohol assessment and committed to following the recommendation of that assessment.

Moon will have a hearing in Northeast District Court to see if he violated the terms of his probation on a negligent-driving conviction that followed his arrest in April 2007.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

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