Senator Scott Bundgaard, the "tired and embarrassed" Arizona Republican representative, received a small reprieve from the Phoenix Municipal Court, which agreed to postpone pretrial hearings for the domestic violence trial against him until the beginning of August, reports the Associated Press.
Bundgaard had entered a not-guilty plea for misdemeanor assault and endangerment charges connected to a February altercation on a Phoenix freeway with his then-girlfriend Aubry Ballard. The pretrial hearing had been scheduled for Monday.
Bundgaard has already felt the repercussions of the incident before the trial has even begun, losing his post as majority leader of the state senate soon afterward.
The charges are the result of an alleged physical confrontation with Ballard on the shoulder of a freeway, which began with Ballard accusing him of "inappropriately touching" his dance partner after a charity fundraiser. When police officers arrived on the scene, they reportedly found marks on both individuals, suggesting a fight.
Although Ballard was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault, Bundgaard was allowed to walk away due to legislative immunity. However, prosecutors were free to file charges after the legislative session was over.
According to Arizona state law, legislators are granted immunity from arrest or civil process for 15 days before and during the course of a legislative session "in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace."
Bundgaarden has admitted to pulling Ballard out of the car but denies he inappropriately touched her, according to CNN. He later stated he would waive his immunity and challenged the state to charge him.
Looks like the prosecution rose to Senator Scott Bundgaarden's challenge. At least he has a few weeks to back up his fighting words before the pretrial hearing in August.
Related Resources:
- Find a Phoenix Family Law Attorney (FindLaw)
- Arizona Lawmaker Stopped by Police after Fight with Girlfriend (Reuters)
- Immunity Keeps Arizona Senator Out of Jail (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Immunity (FindLaw's LawBrain)
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