On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was charged with “Driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and driving with .08% blood alcohol level or higher causing injury,” according to the NAPA County District Attorney’s office. The charges were filed concerning a car crash on May 28, 2022.
According to the statement, California law limits blood alcohol levels at .08%, and Pelosi’s blood-alcohol level was .082%. Under California law, these cases are either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the injuries sustained by the victim. Reportedly, Pelosi’s charge was a misdemeanor.
Pelosi was released from custody on his promise to appear for arraignment on Aug. 3, 2022. He also exercised his rights under “Marcy’s Law,” to “be treated with fairness and respect for his privacy and dignity and to be free from intimidation, harassment and abuse throughout the criminal process. We ask that all members of the media honor the exercise of his right.”
Chad Pergram, a Fox News reporter, tweeted on June 13th, when Pelosi’s mugshot was released, that Pelosi received no preferential treatment while in custody.
Napa County officials say "Mr. Pelosi received the same treatment under that policy that all individuals released from County Jail receive. No state law specifically requires the release of booking photos or mugshots, but policies regarding this topic can vary by jurisdiction."
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 13, 2022
Should Pelosi be found guilty, he could face up to five years of probation, a minimum of five days in jail, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines and fees, completion of a court-ordered drinking driver class, and other terms as appropriate.
However, on Wednesday, the New York Times reported the House Speaker and her husband went into “crisis mode” following the crash. By Sunday afternoon, they had assembled a team of California public relations specialists; they retained crisis manager Larry Kamer and a prominent San Francisco defense lawyer, John Keker, was consulted.