A Tucson judge dismissed a criminal speeding case against former state Sen. Justine Wadsack after she completed a defensive driving course and proved she had car insurance to settle the case.
Tucson Magistrate Lisa Surhio dismissed the case on Jan. 6, months after Wadsack pleaded not guilty to criminal speeding and failure to produce insurance.
According to authorities, Wadsack was stopped for driving 71 mph in a 35-mph zone, on East Speedway near North Euclid Avenue in central Tucson, in mid-March. Wadsack said she was “racing home” because the charge on her electric vehicle was about to run out.
Wadsack
During the stop, Wadsack refused to sign a criminal citation for excessive speeding, triggering a pending court summons to have her acknowledge the alleged violation, Tucson police said. She was not ticketed immediately after the incident because the Arizona Constitution gives legislators immunity from civil prosecution during the legislative session. The session ended in mid-June and Wadsack was charged in July.
Wadsack’s attorney argued she was immune from prosecution per state law. Surhio denied the request, saying legislators are not exempt from arrest for criminal offenses.
Surhio said even if immunity did apply to criminal offenses, it would only apply while the Legislature was in session.
Wadsack lost the GOP primary for her seat in August to now-Sen. Vince Leach.
