West Portsmouth deputies took 36-year-old Ashley Bricker into custody just before 6:30 p.m. Monday on an open warrant for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI)—the latest in a series of driving-related offenses that have plagued her record throughout 2025.
A Troubled Driving History
Bricker’s year behind the wheel has been anything but smooth:
- July – Convicted of reckless operation of a motor vehicle
- August – Busted for driving under suspension (charge later dismissed)
- September – Cited for failure to control (case still pending)
- November 4 – Cited for failure to control, drug abuse, and OVI
- November 5 – Hit with yet another OVI charge
After failing to show up for her court appearance related to the November charges, a warrant was issued for her arrest.
🏛️ In Court: Broke but Back on the Streets
Following her arrest, Bricker appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court. The judge found her indigent and appointed a public defender to represent her. She made bail shortly afterward, was fingerprinted, and released—pending her next court appearance on December 9.
⚠️ A Pattern Too Familiar
Bricker’s case mirrors a broader concern in the local justice system—individuals with repeat low-level charges cycling through arrests and releases, often without addressing the root causes. Whether it’s substance abuse, lack of resources, or unstable housing, her situation is another thread in the larger tapestry of social issues in the region.