A SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA JUDGE HAS PLED GUILTY TO LESSER CHARGES AFTER BEING ARRESTED RECENTLY FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE. JUDGE MICHAEL KEITH BLANKENSHIP ADMITTED TO RECKLESS DRIVING AND REFUSING A BREATHALYZER TEST AFTER PROSECUTORS DROPPED A DUI CHARGE STEMMING FROM A MARCH INCIDENT. BLANKENSHIP WILL HAVE TO SURRENDER HIS DRIVERS LICENSE FOR ONE YEAR AND PAY A 100 DOLLAR FINE. HE REMAINS SUSPENDED WITH PAY UNTIL THE JUDICIAL INQUIRY AND REVIEW COMMISSION HEARS THE CASE. FOR A JUDGE TO COMMIT ANY LEGAL INFRACTION VIOLATES THE CANONS OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT BECAUSE JUDGES ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. BLANKENSHIP HAS A SEPARATE CHARGE OF HIT-AND-RUN PENDING FROM AN INCIDENT EARLIER THIS MONTH.