Salem Woman's Bail Revoked for DWI After She Waves to Police Officer

A Salem woman who was out on bail for two separate drunken driving cases is now back in jail following her arrest for another drunken driving offense that happened after she waved to a Salem Police officer on a traffic detail.

According to Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten, Jacquelyn Plum, 46, of 22 Millville Circle is now being held without bail following her arrest on Sept. 30.

Patten said that Plum was driving a yellow convertible sports car when she drove past a road construction site on Bluff Street Extension and waved to Salem Police Officer Robert Kirley. Patten said Kirley recognized Plum from a previous arrest and police later arrested her on a warrant for driving after suspension and breach of bail conditions.

After that arrest, Patten said Salem Police Prosecuting Attorney Jason B. Grosky moved to revoke her bail. At an October 7 hearing in Salem District Court, Grosky argued that jailing Plum in advance of trial was the only way to ensure she does not get behind the wheel of a vehicle, and keep her alcohol-free. He argued said Plum is a public danger, that the first DWI involved a two-car crash and the second came after a concerned motorist allegedly found her passed out, stopped at a green traffic light. Incarcerating Plum, Grosky argued, was the only way to safeguard the community.

Plum's lawyer, Paul Garrity, asked a judge to allow her to remain free, but to place her on electronic monitoring to be supervised by a local bail bondsman, according to Patten. He further suggested that she report daily to Salem Police Department to give a breath sample to show she is alcohol-free, Patten said.

Judge John A. Korbey granted the prosecution's request and ordered Plum held without bail pending trial, according to Patten. She was taken into custody at court and transported to Rockingham House of Corrections.Plum is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on all matters in two weeks. Trial dates have not been set. A conviction for a DWI second offense carries up to a year in jail, $2,000 fine and a minimum three-year license revocation.

Patten explained that Plum had already been out of bail for two other drunken driving cases at the time of her most recent arrest. She was charged with driving while intoxicated, second offense on March 30 and hours after she was bailed out she was caught with an open container while riding in a friend's car.