Former Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb returned to court Thursday afternoon for his arraignment on a DWI charge. He pleaded not guilty.

Police charged the state lawmaker after his vehicle ended up in a ditch near his home on Route 41 in Victor just before 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

According to court documents, he had a BAC twice the legal limit. He was also charged with making an unsafe turn.

Outside the courthouse, Kolb addressed the media, reiterating the regrets he expressed in a statement he released after his arrest.

Responding to a report he told a tow truck driver, "My wife was driving, you know how women drive," Kolb said on Thursday, "I would never, ever, ever say anything negative about my wife or try to put my wife in harm’s way."

The sheriff says Kolb had been driving a New York state-issued SUV, a 2018 GMC Acadia. Spectrum News has confirmed that Kolb contacted Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and offered to pay for damages to the car.

Kolb stepped down as Assembly minority leader following the incident, but he still maintains his seat.

"I did that because it was the right thing to do. And I'm taking responsibility. That's why we're here. And just like every other citizen I'm following due process and however the courts take it is, you know, I will accept whatever the outcome is," said Kolb.

The case has been appointed to Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella because of a conflict of interest with Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts. 

Judge James Mulley, Town Court Justice in Penfield, has been assigned to hear the case in  Victor Town Court.

Kolb is due back in court on January 23.