DUI, Controlled Substance and Careless Driving Charges Filed Against Coudersport Man
COUDERSPORT, Pa. – A Coudersport resident, Douglas John Couture, 63, was formally charged on September 14, 2026 in the Magisterial District Court 55‑3‑01 with multiple motor vehicle offenses stemming from an incident on August 20, 2026.
According to the criminal docket (MJ-55301-CR-0000066-2026), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed a complaint against Couture following an arrest by the Coudersport Borough Police Department. Arresting Officer Jared A. White documented the incident, which occurred within Potter County.
The charges listed in the docket are:
- Count 1 – Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, diversion (18 Pa.C.S. § 3802, H1 M).
- Count 2 – DUI: Controlled Substance – Combination Alcohol/Drugs – First Offense (18 Pa.C.S. § 3802, D3* M).
- Count 3 – Careless Driving (18 Pa.C.S. § 3714, A S).
- Count 4 – Failure to Keep Right (18 Pa.C.S. § 3301, A S).
All offenses are dated August 20, 2026. The docket does not indicate a bail amount or any financial penalties at this stage. A fingerprint order was issued on the same day as the summons, but the record shows that Couture has not yet been fingerprinted.
Magisterial District Judge Bryan D. Phelps, who was assigned to the case on the filing date, scheduled a preliminary hearing for October 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The hearing will be held in the same magisterial district court.
Couture’s address is listed as a mailing address in Coudersport, PA 16915. The Potter County District Attorney’s Office, located at 1 North Main Street, Gunzburger Building, Suite 215, Coudersport, PA 16915, is representing the Commonwealth. No public defender has been appointed, and the docket does not indicate a request for court‑appointed counsel.
The case remains active and is listed as “Awaiting Preliminary Hearing.” No disposition has been entered, and the matter will proceed through the magisterial district court process.
As required by Pennsylvania law, Couture is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was generated based on publicly available court docket information. While we strive for accuracy, the content may contain errors or omissions. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For official court records and legal guidance, please consult the appropriate court or legal professional.