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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDrunken Colorado Legislator Avoids DUI because of Alleged Legislative Immunity
Drunken Colorado Legislator Avoids DUI because of Alleged Legislative Immunity
At first it seemed like just another example of a politician acting badly. At about 10 p.m. on January 25, Colorado State Representative Laura Bradford (R-Collbran) was pulled over for making an illegal turn at an intersection. The officer smelled alcohol on the lawmakers breathe, but did not ticket her for DUI, saying Bradford invoked her immunity privilege as a legislator traveling to or from a legislative session or event. Since that days House session had ended almost 12 hours earlier, her story seemed dubious.
However, Bradford denied that she had asked for immunity, and several days later Denver Police spokesman Lieutenant Matt Murray acknowledged that it was in fact Denver police officers who had come up with the idea,
Meanwhile Bradford, who was first elected in 2008 using the slogan Conservative Leadership You Can Trust, has threatened to leave the Republican Party because her fellow Republicans have not supported her. This is no inconsequential threat because Republicans currently hold only a 33-32 advantage in the House. If Bradford did switch parties or become an independent, she could give the Democrats control of the chamber. They already hold a majority in the State Senate, and the governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, is also a Democrat.
http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Drunken_Colorado_Legislator_Avoids_DUI_because_of_Alleged_Legislative_Immunity_120202
gopiscrap
(23,768 posts)instead of given immunity!
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)MrSlayer
(22,143 posts)I seriously doubt the police officer knew about this obscure loophole in the state constitution.
DevonRex
(22,541 posts)did ask for the breathalyzer. The police wouldn't do it saying she had immunity. So right now, both she and the police agree that she didn't ask for special treatment. In fact she protested the way Denver police wanted to handle it.
She may switch parties tomorrow, changing the balance of power in the CO legislature to Democratic control.
She will still face an ethics committee hearing on the subject. That's why she's angry at the republicans. Because they're still having that hearing even tho DPD confirmed her side of things and apologized profusely in a press conference.
I learned all this on the news last night. Make of it what you will.