A lawyer has been sentenced for appearing drunk in an Albuquerque courtroom.
Metro Court Chief Judge Julie Altwies on July 31 held John W. Higgins in contempt of court after he walked into her courtroom, stumbled and disrupted proceedings. He was scheduled to be in a different courtroom.
Higgins' blood alcohol level was 0.11. New Mexico's presumed level of intoxication is 0.08 percent.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Altwies on Thursday sentenced Higgins to jail but suspended 29 days of his 30-day sentence.
Atlweis also placed Higgins on intensive, supervised probation, ordered random drug testing and said he's on a short leash.
A lawyer for Higgins said his client's actions were involuntary because of alcohol and strong prescription medication.
Higgins apologized, saying he didn't use best judgment.
Information from: Albuquerque Journal.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.