Last updated January 6, 2011 3:57 p.m. PT
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEATTLE — A former Democratic leader in the state House of Representatives has pleaded guilty to negligent driving following an arrest for driving under the influence last summer.
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos of Seattle entered the plea Thursday in King County District Court. Prosecutor’s office spokesman Dan Donohoe says she was given a three-month suspended sentence plus 20 hours of community service and required to pay nearly $1,500 in fines and court fees.
Santos is the former majority whip and currently chairs the education committee.
She was arrested in July after a State Patrol officer saw her car drifting on Interstate 5 in South Seattle. The officer reported that she confessed to having three drinks and that she performed poorly on a field sobriety test.
Donohoe said a negligent driving plea is standard for defendants with no criminal history who are charged with DUI.