Rhode Island Legislator Faces DUI Charges, Must Install Breathalyzer in Car
Rhode Island State Representative Enrique Sanchez, a Democrat, was arrested for driving under the influence in February. Following the arrest, a Cranston judge mandated that he install a breathalyzer in his vehicle to maintain his driving privileges.
Sanchez, known for his progressive stance in the Rhode Island House, was stopped by police in the early hours of February 3 after allegedly parking in an intersection. Body camera footage from the incident shows Sanchez offering a debit card instead of his driver's license and denying any alcohol consumption.
Despite being repeatedly asked to remove his hands from his pockets, Sanchez continued to do so. An officer at the scene noted the smell of alcohol and asked Sanchez about his drinking. Sanchez declined to take a field sobriety test and inquired about ordering an Uber, which was not permitted.
At his initial court appearance, Sanchez pleaded not guilty to DUI charges and later to lesser civil charges, including refusing a chemical test and disobeying traffic signals. On February 19, his license was suspended, but he received a hardship license allowing him to drive for work purposes, provided he installs an ignition interlock device.
The case has since moved to the state's Superior Court. Calls for Sanchez's resignation have emerged, but he addressed the situation on social media, expressing gratitude to his constituents and emphasizing his dedication to his legislative duties. He did not apologize, stating he would not let personal issues overshadow community concerns.
Sanchez's legal representation is John Harwood, a former Rhode Island House Speaker. Previously, Sanchez introduced a bill to grant voting rights to undocumented immigrants, which was set aside for further study.
For further updates, Fox News Digital reached out to Sanchez and his attorney for comments.