GREENSBORO – Claude Hamilton, Jr., 23, son of Greensboro Police Chief Claude Hamilton pleaded not guilty to the charges of hit and run and DUI during his hearing in the Hale County Courthouse. August 5, 2004 at 3:30 p.m. was set during his sentencing as the day he will face the judge.

Hamilton said the incident occurred on April 30, 2004, his son was driving and side swiped a car belonging to Italie Harper’s son. After the accident happened, Hamilton’s son turned around and went back to check on the driver, but the car was gone, according to Hamilton.

“He said he went back to check on the driver, but he was gone,” Hamilton said, “So, he went to a bar and had a couple of beers and then he was arrested.”

They are saying he was drunk at the time and trying to charge him with a DUI as well as a hit and run, but that’s clearly not the case. There is no way he can be charged with a DUI because he was arrested after leaving a bar.

“If he is guilty of the crimes, then he should have to pay for his mistakes, but any citizen if they fell they are not guilty has the right to request a trail,” Hamilton said, “And we plan to fight these one and get these charges thrown out.”