Court to hear Laučius appeal over drunk-driving case

Vilnius Regional Court plans to hear an appeal on Tuesday in the criminal case against political scientist and journalist Vladimiras Laučius, who was caught driving while intoxicated, LRT reported.

Laučius is appealing the ruling and wants the court to reduce as much as possible the period he is barred from driving and the amount of money to be confiscated. He argues that the car he was driving belongs to a leasing company.

In July, Vilnius City District Court released Laučius from criminal liability under a surety agreement, with his former spouse, Loreta Laučiuvienė, acting as guarantor for one year, and terminated the case. The court also banned him from driving for two years and six months, ordered him to take part in alcohol prevention programmes for a year, and ruled that he must pay 20,670 euros, the value of the car he had been driving.

Laučius admitted his guilt in court and said he regretted his actions, adding that he would not repeat them. He said he had been drinking after learning of the death of scientist Darius Alekna. However, police records said he had consumed alcohol after an argument with his wife.

The case was brought under the Criminal Code article on driving while intoxicated. Police said Laučius was driving a Toyota RAV4 in Vilnius at about 5:31 p.m. on May 31. A test found 2.32 parts per thousand of alcohol in his breath.