XPost: talk.politics.guns, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, mi.news
XPost: alt.politics.democrats, talk.rape, sac.politics

A Michigan state lawmaker faces up to 93 days in jail after pleading
guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence.

State Rep. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Township, entered her plea
earlier this week. The deal comes after her arrest in February, when
Livonia police reportedly watched her try to drive a vehicle with
two flat tires. Cavanagh, a first-term lawmaker and member of a
politically prominent family, had a blood alcohol level that was
more than twice the level at which someone can be convicted of
drunken driving, according to police records.

This is the second time she's been charged with a similar offense.

Her lawyer, Todd Perkins, and Livonia city attorney Paul Bernier
confirmed the agreement.

"I was not going to treat her any differently than I treat anyone
else, either harsher or easier," Bernier said in a phone interview
Thursday. "The goal is always to try and get them into some kind of
treatment program."

As part of her plea, Cavanagh wants to be accepted into a program
called sobriety court. After successful admission into and
completion of the program, participants are able to drive with a
restricted license and after installing a device the prevents a
vehicle from starting without the driver passing a test to prove the
person is not drunk.

Bernier said not everyone who applies gets into the program, only
those who "actually want to become sober."

"It’s about treatment, really. It’s about treatment, counseling and
really getting to the point where you’re dealing with recovery for
the rest of your life," Perkins said.

Admission into the program does not necessarily prevent Cavanagh
from receiving jail time, a fine or community service, Bernier said.

Cavanagh, 30, is the latest in her family to serve in public office.
Her father was a state lawmaker from from 2011 to 2015 and her
grandfather, Jerome Cavanagh, was mayor of Detroit from 1962 to
1970.

“Rep. Cavanagh has taken an important step toward accountability and
many important steps toward healthy behaviors. She has done this
while serving her constituents faithfully, and we will continue to
support her as she chooses as the legal process concludes," House
Democratic Leader Donna Lasinskiof Scio Township said in a
statement.

She is the third Michigan lawmaker this session to face punishment
for charges related to drunken driving.

State Rep. Jewell Jones, D-Inkster, was sentenced to two years of
probation after pleading guilty to a slew of driving, alcohol and
weapons charges after a 2021 arrest in Livingston County.

In 2021, Rep. Brian Posthumus, R-Oakfield Township, was sentenced to
15 days in jail after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle under
the influence.

Cavanagh's sentencing is May 6.

Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591.
Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)