By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.'s drunk driving trial will be delayed because of an emergency legislative session in Albany.
The East Harlem Assemblyman could not attend his court date on Tuesday because he is in Albany with his legislative peers preparing a "Race to the Top" federal education funding application, his attorney Stacey Richman reported to a Manhattan Criminal Court judge.
The state legislature was called to the Capitol for a session that began Monday at 8 p.m and continued Tuesday morning.
Powell is fighting drunk driving charges from 2008. He was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors after his SUV was stopped on the Henry Hudson Parkway.
Richman said Powell was very concerned about having to delay the trial and miss Tuesday's trial start date.
"He is very responsible and never misses a court appearance," she said.
