No charges will be made against the California Senator from Riverside accused of driving while drunk.
Sabrina Cervantes, a Democrat who represents Senate District 31, was quoted for driving on May 19 after going to a local hospital after a crash in Sacramento.
Riverside Democratic Senator Sabrina Cervantes can be seen in this file image. (Legislative LGBTQ Caucus in California)
At the hospital, Cervantes showed signs of addiction, police said, but she claimed that officers “ordered” her.
Cervantes denied the influence, and on Friday the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office supported her claim and refused to file charges.
“Toxicology results were negative for measurable amounts of alcohol and drugs,” the DA’s office said in a statement. “We have reviewed all evidence submitted, including police reports, witness statements and laboratory results. Based on the ethical obligations and the burden of proof in a criminal trial, the Sacramento County DA office will refuse to file charges in this case.”
Cervantes had not yet publicly commented on the pre-publication prosecutor’s announcement, but police issued a statement to KTLA’s Capitol Correspondent Eitan Wallace, “while clarifying while maintaining transparency and respect for all involved.”
The statement defended the officers’ actions and explained that Cervantes refused to take local sobriety tests, but also acknowledged the controversial nature of the incident.
“The Sacramento Police Department has received numerous public records requests regarding the incident,” the statement said. “We will release responsive documentation today on the initial request and process the remaining requests as soon as possible.”
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