Did You Know This?

By: Mr. Wilson on February 15, 2007
6 comments
I had no idea that members of the Unicameral can't be arrested during or near the session. Nebraska's Constitution reads:
Members of the Legislature in all cases except treason, felony or breach of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest during the session of the Legislature, and for fifteen days next before the commencement and after the termination thereof.
I'm not looking for the mass arrest of state Senators or anything, but that just seems wrong. If a Senator does something worthy of a Nick Nolte-esque mugshot, I think the public deserves the chance to point and laugh (and scold). Surely the creators of the law should be held to a standard at least as high as the public, no?

Comments

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Mr. T
February 15, 2007 at 1:45PM

I was surprised to learn that too. What a completely stupid law. I can understand when there are exceptions for foreign diplomats in the US (who may be unfamiliar with US laws), but when you are a Nebraska lawmaker, you should be fully accountable to laws in Nebraska.

Additionally, I have no sympathy at all for people who drink and drive (and get caught).

Dave K
February 15, 2007 at 2:40PM

I can understand that law though.  Back in the day, people probably had a right to worry that senators would be rounded up right before a big vote, just to sway the vote in someone’s favor.

The LJS (how is this story not still on the main page?) commentors are talking about giving her a second chance—it looks like this was her second, perhaps third, chance.  They also compare her DUI to that of George Bush’s, which happened about 25 years before he was voted into office.  They didn’t post my comment, damnit!

 

So now we have Senators with MySpace pages and DUIs—Nebraska ... The Good Life.

foxspit
February 15, 2007 at 3:42PM

I was surprised to read that law too.  If ever there is an example of why not to have it on the books, this is it.  She got a DUI as a student (not all that uncommon) but now she’s an adult and pulling the same behavior.  Could be a pattern.  Definitely something she needs to deal with.

I thought her comments about taking responsibility and admitting that alcohol was a factor were the right thing to do.  I hope she is as aggressive about seeking help.

Mr. T
February 15, 2007 at 3:54PM

Second DUI? We’ve all known people who have been killed or seriously injured by drunk drivers (or killed themselves and/or passengers). We should have a very low tolerance for this type of behavior in my opinion, ESPECIALLY if its the second go around.

Just out of curiosity how did you know it was her second? I didn’t recall reading that in the article last night. In anycase, I know she is a good person, but yeah, she must do something to address this problem.

I wonder if this will put a damper on the nightly socializing the senators do during the session.

Mr. Wilson
February 15, 2007 at 3:57PM

From the article (possibly not in the original article)—

After a stop on April 24, 1997, the then 19-year-old Nantkes was convicted of reckless driving and paid a $100 fine. After a stop on Aug. 22, 1997, she was convicted of DUI-first offense and ordered to serve one year on probation and pay a $200 fine.

Mr. T
February 15, 2007 at 4:02PM

Thanks for the info.

My first reaction is…$200 and a year of probation? That’s it?! In some other states the penalty is far worse, and rightfully so.

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