Arizona state Sen. Justine Wadsack pleads not guilty in criminal speeding case
The state lawmaker is still claiming “political persecution” as she faces low-level misdemeanor
TUCSON, AZ (AZFamily) — Arizona state Sen. Justine Wadsack pleaded not guilty during an arraignment over her criminal speeding case in Tucson.
“I thank everybody for coming. I do have supporters, and the people will know the truth,” Wadsack told reporters beside her attorney, Brad Miller, outside the Tucson City Court before her hearing.
Arizona’s Family previously reported about the case, which was first reported by the Tucson Sentinel involving Wadsack allegedly driving 71 mph in a 35 mph zone not far from the University of Arizona campus in March.
The police body camera video shows Wadsack pulled over in a red Tesla, where a Tucson police officer asked for a driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance.
“Yes, I do. My name is Sen. Justine Wadsack. I’m racing to get home cause I have four miles left on my charger before I’m about to go down,” she said before denying going double the speed limit.
“I was not doing 70,” she said when told her alleged speed.
Wadsack did not sign the citation for speeding on that night due to legislative immunity, which bars any legislative member from arrests in all cases except “treason, felony and breach of the peace.”
The rule also means that they cannot be served during the legislative session or for the 15 days before the year’s session begins.
Arizona’s Family sister station, KOLD 13 News, reported in late July that the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police pulled back an endorsement for Wadsack because of her claim of political persecution and refusal to comply with the Tucson Police Department.
“While Sen. Wadsack has been a consistent supporter of public safety in her official capacity, this incident and her decision to publicly impugning the motives of police personnel is conduct unbecoming an elected representative,” Fraternal Order of Police President Paul Sheldon told KOLD 13 News at the time.
Tucson Police cited Wadsack for criminal speeding, a class 3 misdemeanor, and failure to provide proof of insurance, which is a civil traffic violation.
Her next court date is set for Oct. 28.
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