Sen. Schoesler in court to face DUI charge
Sen. Schoesler
RITZVILLE - Sen. Mark Schoesler will be arraigned Thursday, Sept. 12, on a charge of driving while under the influence.
Schoesler's hearing before Adams County District Court Judge Andrea K. Russell is set for 9:30 a.m. in the Adams County Courthouse, 210 W. Broadway Ave.
During arraignment, the judge will determine if there is probable cause for the criminal citation and whether the senator qualifies for a public defense attorney. The judge will also advise Sen. Schoesler of his rights.
Schoesler, R-Ritzville, represents the 9th Legislative District, which includes Eastern Adams and Franklin, southern Spokane, Whitman, Lincoln, Columbia, Asotin and Garfield Counties as part of the 9th Legislative District. He has served in the Legislature since 1992, first as representative then as a senator.
The 67-year-old Schoesler was arrested by citation Saturday night, Aug. 31, and released on his own recognizance to the custody of a family member.
Schoesler was arrested at the conclusion of the Ritzville Rodeo after he allegedly backed into another vehicle twice.
According to Police Chief Dave McCormick, dispatchers received a call of a possible drunken driver in the parking area of the Wheat Land Communities Fairgrounds, 811 E. Main Ave., at about 9:35 p.m.
Officer Matt Carlson responded to the call, finding Schoesler sitting in his truck, ignition turned off, McCormick said, noting the senator was cooperative at all times.
Several witnesses were initially present, but quickly disappeared when Carlson arrived.
One witness said Schoesler had been "walking unsteadily" as he cross a bridge over a swale between the fairgrounds and the parking area, an uneven, grassy field marked off with flags and stakes," McCormick said.
The witness told Carlson that Schoesler had backed into another vehicle twice, McCormick said.
"He started his vehicle and backed across the uneven grassy lot and into another vehicle parked behind him," McCormick said. "When Officer Carlson contacted him, he was very cooperative. He showed signs of intoxication."
Given the parking area is uneven and grassy, and the "many, many spectators" watching, Carlson decided to transport Schoesler to the police station to conduct a field sobriety test and blood-alcohol analysis.
He failed both, McCormick said.
Schoesler took the blood-alcohol Breathalyzer test four times, with two consistent readings of 0.14 registering on the device, the police chief said. Under state law, the legal limit to drive is 0.08.
After being arrested by citation, Sen. Schoesler was released on his own recognizance to a family member who was contacted to take him home.
"The jail is closed," McCormick said of the decision to release the senator into the custody of a family member. "Mr. Schoesler is local and he's not going anywhere. He was 100% cooperative."
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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