When public officials are charged with crimes, sometimes it is better to deal with the issue quietly, forgoing a public trial.
That is just what one U.S. senator has decided to do after being stopped in Alexandria, Virginia, and being charged with a DUI. In the wake of his arrest, the three-term senator has said that he will not fight the charges at his scheduled court appearance in January.
At the time of the traffic stop, a police officer performed a preliminary test, with the man’s blood alcohol content allegedly registering 0.11. A second test administered at the jail an hour later reportedly showed a blood alcohol content of 0.14. According to reports, the second test will be the one used in court. He also allegedly failed a field sobriety test when initially stopped.
In Virginia, the legal limit for drunk driving is 0.08. With Virginia’s strict DUI laws, a reading of 0.15 requires a stint in jail.
It is not known where the 61-year-old senator had been before his arrest. He was traveling alone and pulled over after allegedly running a red light.
The senator’s arrest surprised Washington insiders, who know the man follows his Mormon faith, which is supposed to include a vow of abstinence from alcohol.
Several of the man’s colleagues have stuck up for the man, claiming this spot on his record will not damage his effectiveness as a senator.
By dealing with this issue quietly and without the fanfare of a trial, the issue will likely fade into the background and may be forgotten about until the next election year.
Source: Associated Press, “APNewsBreak: Sen. Crapo won’t fight DUI charge,” Josh Lederman and John Miller,” Dec. 28, 2012
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