[Indy Pendance]

Wisconsin Attorney General Cited for Drunken Driving Says She Won't Quit

The Associated Press Wednesday, February 25, 2004; 5:34 PM

CHICAGO -- Wisconsin's attorney general said Wednesday that she has no intention of resigning over a drunken driving arrest.

Peg Lautenschlager was arrested and cited late Monday night after she drove her state car off the road and into a ditch.

"I don't have any plans to resign," Lautenschlager told The Associated Press after testifying at a federal hearing on mercury pollution in Chicago. She said she would make a full statement Thursday.

Lautenschlager was cited for first-offense drunken driving, which is a civil violation in Wisconsin, and her license was revoked for her alleged refusal to submit to a blood test. She was also fined $784.

If convicted of refusing to take a blood test, Lautenschlager could lose her license for a year and have to undergo alcohol counseling.

Lautenschlager said Gov. Jim Doyle hadn't asked her to step down. The governor has no authority over her because she is an elected official.

Doyle, like Lautenschlager a Democrat, called Lautenschlager's arrest "a serious offense" Wednesday.

"The real story is going to be told now in how she responds," the governor said. "And I think people understand there's such a thing as redemption and somebody who works hard and does the right thing and takes the steps necessary to ensure it never happens again, I think that's what you have to do."

[curmudgeonII]

She'll get off lightly.
After all, she's a Democrat.

[Indy Pendance]

.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

BISKUPIC BUMP

[SC DOC]

Maybe Lautenschlager was drinking

[Xenalyte]

Wow, you were SO right on that other thread. She's bound to quit because she said she'd accept the consequences of her actions, and no one ever lies (except Kobe Bryant).

[gnarledmaw]

Drinking on top of drugs...

[Chris Talk]

If she had been a Republican, there would not have been any such thing as redemption.

She is probably one of those who impose these ever more severe restrictions on us citizens, but if THEY fall afoul of them, they of course rely on their connections to get off lightly.

Laws are NOT made for the benefit of those subject to them, but for the benefit of those who impose them.

[Timm]

If found guilty of refusing a blood test, Lautenschlager's license will be revoked for one year and she will be ordered to undergo alcohol counseling. A conviction on her refusal would also mean a conviction on the drunken driving charge.

This second sentence suggests that a refusal to submit to a test results in an automatic DUI conviction. Is that right? Are there any cheeseheads who know the law in WI who can explain?

And, before someone responds in this way, yes, I understand that WI provides for an administrative suspension of one's license for a year, plus some other penalties, if one doesn't submit to a blood/breath/urine test. That is a distinct matter from a DUI conviction, though. In most states, one's refusal can be used as evidence of DUI, and perhaps even presumptive evidence. I don't see how state law can provide for a automatic conviction of a crime on the basis of refusal to produce evidence of that crime.

I see the article claims that DUI is a "civil violation" in WI, at least for first-time offenders. Is that true? Is that how a "conviction" can be obtained for failure to produce evidence?

If anyone knows the details, I'd appreciate them.

[Clintonfatigued]

If she were a conservative Republican, the 'Rats would be calling for her impeachment.

[lawdude]

""The real story is going to be told now in how she responds," the governor said. "And I think people understand there's such a thing as redemption and somebody who works hard and does the right thing and takes the steps necessary to ensure it never happens again, I think that's what you have to do.""

Rush! Care to respond?

[VeniVidiVici]

"While driving home, I fell asleep and drove off the road, and was subsequently cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

She could've redeemed herself if she said, "After getting severely toasted, I was a dumbass and attempted to drive home. Subsequently, I drove off the road while going 15mph and ran into a ditch." But, no, she had to lie.

Democrats don't resign - only Republicans do. I'm still not sure if that makes us the party that actually has morals and convictions, or if we are really just a collection of idiots.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Wow, just a fine and a loss of licence? To me the serious thing is the Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) abuse. It is a powerful drug, NOT to be combined with alcohol. If she was taking that and drinking she is probably a pretty heavy abuser of prescription drugs.

Cyclobenzaprine is a powerful muscle relaxant. It's often given for joint pain, soft tissue damage, tendinitis. The standard boilerplate on the package from your pharmacist will say, "do not drive or operate machinery." And there are extremely strict cautions against combining it with alcohol. For most people it's not a problem because it slows them down enough to put them right to sleep.

The interactions are listed as: "Alcohol and other CNS [Central Nervous System] Depressants potentiated." What that means is it makes the effect of booze much more powerful. The booze also enhances the drug. If you were to take a Flexeril and then go boozing, you would feel like you were going 70 when you were only going 30 (like our Peg). And if you needed to react to anything, your arms would be too rubbery to turn the wheel and legs too rubbery to work the brakes.

And then, why do you want to take this stuff in the first place: "adverse reactions are drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, hypotension, nausea, etc..."

This lady is a serious and extreme drug abuser... the people of Wisconsin are probably not safe unless she turns in her licence for good, or does a good inpatient rehab (30 days or so). Otherwise she's gonna do it again. It was blind luck she didn't kill anyone... she had no more control over that car than if she was in the back seat.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Walkingfeather]

oh I hope she keeps up the prideful stance... you see she will be a political embarrasment then she will resign. its perfect

[ClintonBeGone]

If found guilty of refusing a blood test, Lautenschlager's license will be revoked for one year and she will be ordered to undergo alcohol counseling. A conviction on her refusal would also mean a conviction on the drunken driving charge.

No problem, she'll just use one of the state employees as her driver for the next 12 months. What a crock. She's gotta go.

[rudypoot]

Lautenschlager, 48, slowed to about 15 miles per hour as she passed Handel's patrol car, forcing the line of cars traveling behind her to come to a stop, according to Handel's report. Handel caught up to Lautenschlager's car and watched it go into the ditch just north of Highway 73 in the town of Elba.

What did the cop do? Run after her when she passed?! rotflmao

[moonman]

"The real story is going to be told now in how she responds," the governor said. "And I think people understand there's such a thing as redemption and somebody who works hard and does the right thing and takes the steps necessary to ensure it never happens again, I think that's what you have to do."

Tell that to the a$$wipe D.A. in Palm Beach County, FL!

[searchandrecovery]

If you're going to drink, don't drive. If you do drink & drive, don't get caught. If you do get caught, don't be the State AG. If you do drink & drive & are the State AG, try not to be using a STATE CAR. Bwaaahahahahah.

And then (great vid) tries to portray herself as a victim. Resign now, dear. Do if for the children you could have run over and killed.

[Qwinn]

Hah. I note all the "if she was a Republican, she'd be in big trouble" comments...

Are you kidding? If she was a Republican, this could've just been uncovered as a last minute smear job as something that happened 30 years ago, and that would be enough to cause her to lose perhaps even -millions- of votes, at which point, even if she won after the now-close election, we'd be hearing about how she was just "selected" intead of "elected" 4 years later...

Qwinn

[stocksthatgoup]

Anyone hear from MADD???