Hamilton County judge's son charged with DUI, speeding

Bryce Steelman, son of Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Saturday afternoon.
Bryce Steelman, son of Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Saturday afternoon.

Bryce Steelman, son of Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Sunday afternoon.

photo Bryce Steelman, son of Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Saturday afternoon.
photo Judge Barry Steelman speaks to potential jurors during jury selection on Tuesday, Apr. 7, 2015, in Chattanooga.

According to an arrest affidavit, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper stopped Bryce Steelman, 21, just before noon after he clocked him speeding in front of the county courthouse on Market Street and saw him cross the center line.

Steelman admitted to drinking two or three beers and the deputy found two open bottles of Jack Daniel's whiskey in his white Ford pickup truck. Steelman failed to complete a field sobriety test and smelled like alcohol, according to the affidavit.

He was charged with DUI, speeding, violating open-container laws, financial responsibility and failure to signal a turn. He was booked into the Hamilton County Jail and released on bond.

In a statement following his son's arrest, Judge Steelman said he doesn't believe the children of public officials should be subjected to the public scrutiny that comes with media coverage of their arrests.

"While we elected officials volunteer for public scrutiny of our relevant private behavior our children do not and really shouldn't be subject to any public humiliation beyond that experienced by any other private citizen who is arrested," the statement says.

"That being said Bryce was 11 years old when I decided to run for office. Up to this point he has as a young teenager and young adult conducted himself in an exemplary manner and our family continues to love and support him during this difficult time. We ask for the prayers of our friends," wrote Steelman.

Bryce Steelman is scheduled to appear May 18 before General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes.

Contact staff writer Claire Wiseman at cwiseman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347.

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