Richard Johnson's side of the story

"THE editor of this column spent yesterday morning behind bars after being arrested on a charge of drunken driving. Richard Johnson was pulled over on West 14th Street at midnight because he had a cellphone glued to his ear.

The arresting officer quickly accused him of slurred speech and asked him to take a Breathalyzer test. Showing dubious judgment, Johnson refused and was taken to the 7th Precinct in handcuffs, where he was asked to walk a straight line, stand like a statue with one foot off the floor and touch fingertips to nose with eyes closed. The reviews were mixed. But it's all on videotape for future screenings.

The NYPD, which should be commended for its crackdown on DWI, treated Johnson with utmost professionalism. He was taken to the Tombs at 100 Centre St., where he shared a crowded holding pen with a gorgeous mosaic of individuals, all of whom were uncomfortable, tired and disgusted with the catering - Frosted Flakes and stale peanut-butter sandwiches.

Nearly 12 hours after his arrest, Johnson was arraigned, given a court date and freed with no bail, after his lawyer argued he was not a flight risk."

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