Parker Live News from the Parker Strip since 2009.
The Sheriff’s Deputy who pulled over Arizona State Representative Paul Mosley for speeding acting properly in letting him go on his way, according to a statement by the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department.
Paul Mosley cited his legislative immunity under the following section of the law:
“Members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, and they shall not be subject to any civil process during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days next before the commencement of each session. (Article IV, part 2, section 6.).”
The press release says that, during the traffic stop, the deputy asked for information on whether there was a current legislative session in process.
“The La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, like all Arizona law enforcement agencies, follow and enforce Arizona Revised Statutes,” the release says. “In the recent traffic stop that was conducted on the Arizona Representative, the La Paz County Deputy was provided with information that the State was currently in Legislative Session. The Deputy acted properly during the traffic stop then forwarded the traffic offense to the County Attorney’s Office for review.”
Mosley was pulled over by the deputy on March 27th, 2018 driving at an alleged 97 mph in a 55 mph zone, and was captured on body camera video bragging to the deputy about driving at up to 130 mph.
Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre told Parker Live Thursday that he is reviewing the matter:
“A complaint has not yet been filed. I do not believe the ethical rules permit me to say whether I intend to charge the matter or not, however. I am able to say that it will be reviewed consistent with our ethical obligations and a charging decision will be made as time and resources permit.”
See Parker Live’s original story on the incident HERE.
I don’t understand how he can flaunt his abuse of position and of the law. I believe there needs to be some changes in the laws that allow this, particularly since he was putting others in danger.
Why exactly can law makers make laws that exempt them from following laws? It is in the same boat as them giving themselves pay raises. Simply insane… I hope he is voted put of office.
What a surprise. The system is so corrupt. Shame on both sides you worthless sacks of excrement.
Bullshit!!!
It is unfortunate there was nothing the officer could have done. While it was criminal speeding there is no felony speeding that I can find in the ARS.
That privilege must be nice!
Deputies must enforce the laws as they are, not as they wish they were. This may be a bad law, but that doesn’t mean the deputy should have taken it into his own hands.
Michael Ramos LoudMouth Lowery
He was on the road and not in a legislative session nor was he convened so that law is irrelevant on the road!
Like I said, that privilege must be nice.
When he causes an accident or kills someone I’m sure it will be everyone’s fault except his own. Maybe some liability will fall on he sheriff since they have contacted him multiple times and warned him to slow down. If this was a kid with a gun talking about shooting up a school and had been contacted, something would be done. But not this dude with his golden ticket to act like a complete douche while endangering the general public. There is a power pole with your name on it sir. See how 130 lines yourself up with that pole please before you lose control and kill one of our family members.
Absolute disregard for the laws that he is suppose to create, so they can be enforced. He wasn’t on his way to a legislative meeting or session. He was trying to surprise his wife. I don’t fault the officer I fault the broken system that protects him.
I agree the officers hands were tied and the law needs to be amended. Excessive speed and reckless driving are misdemeanors in Arizona but the fact this politician is abusing and bragging about abusing this loophole is disgusting. His actions can lead to serious dangers to other people and that is not ok and needs to be fixed.
we are a nation of laws, and no one is above the law. does his legislative exemption allow him to murder, rape, rob, or steal? where exactly does his exemption end. Is this person the modern day version of 007? Obviously a democrat, one who lives by the motto ” do as I say, not as I do”very difficult to respect the law, when our elected officials are exempt.
Mosley is a Republican.
Disgraceful, but he will probably get away with it many more times.
Im sure he wishes he kept his mouth shut!!!
File a complaint what you waiting for?
In California the legislature are exempt from the new gun laws
This was not a matter of arrest. He could have simply been cited and then ask for an extension, which would have been consistent with the law, not being subject to a civil process while the legislature was in session. The intent of the law and immunity has nothing to do with personal responsibility. I would imagine that he could have written a letter to the La Paz County explaining that he cannot be the subject of a Civil Process while the legislature is in session and ask that the timetable be adjusted for his either paying the fine or challenging the ticket in Court. This is in my mind a fair solution. What he is arguing is that he can break any law he chooses as long as it did not conflict with the immunity law while the legislature is in session. As I have said before, he should have been given the ticket anyway and let due process decide whether he actually had immunity. I would be much more sympathetic had he not bragged to the officer and then justify his carelessness by equating his speeding to that of the officer (implying that everyone does it) We cannot lose sight of that simple fact.
When/If his name ever shows up on my ballot it’ll be a definite NO! His smirk a*s attitude & bragging was very disturbing & I wouldn’t want that type of representation for LaPaz County!!
Should of just taken him in custody. And let him sweat it out for a few hours before this could of all been straightened out
Sad
So he wants to represent District 5 yet feels free to break the law? That is a poor example for our district. Shame on Paul Mosley He will not be receiving the votes he was hoping for. Party has nothing to do with this, but a crime was committed that would have sent any one of us to jail. I thank GOD and the officer for stopping him before he killed someone. Then his wife would have really received a surprise.
The deputy should have ticketed the guy and let the state argue to quash the ticket in court… make them go through the motions… legislators are not immune from felony offenses.
Leo Scott so true he should have been ticketed,
If you vote in the primary and you are a member of his political party (Republican) you will see his name on the ballot as he currently represents district 5, which covers both La Paz and Mohave Counties.
“Members of the legislature shall be privileged from arrest in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, and they shall not be subject to any civil process during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days next before the commencement of each session. (Article IV, part 2, section 6.).”
Jasmine Martinez
It’s not the cops job to worry interpret the law. The man needs a reality check a night in the slammer would do him good.
Agreed!
Why is there different laws regarding this? Time to ask questions people.
They do this because we as citizens have allowed them to do whatever they please without taking aggressive actions against it!! Vote and make your voice heard!!
I thought anything over 20 mph was a felony?
One law for all
Speeding tickets AREN’T covered by this immunity law. The deputy may not have known this, however. Additionally, the provision is to allow for the officials to make it to the legislative session and not miss votes. I’m not sure how Mr. Mosley believes that immunity applies to a speeding violation while rushing home to his family.
From a CBS story on the same issue: “While the state constitution does provide for certain kinds of legislative immunity, elections lawyer Kory Langhofer told CBS affiliate KPHO-TV it exists only to protect lawmakers from missing votes during the legislative session because they happen to be arrested on a minor legal matter.
“It is a big no-no to claim legislative immunity to get out of a speeding ticket,” Langhofer told the station. “It really is just a shameful thing. It also doesn’t work.” A document from November 2002 shared by the House Rules Committee says speeding tickets – as well as violations for driving under the influence – aren’t covered.”
Paul Mosley you’re an idiot! How dare you think you’re above the laws that your most likely one of the ones who voted for. So you think any voters won’t remember this come election time? Guess what just listening to you state what you said on the video tells all the voters how little respect you have for others lives. If you know you need to be in Phoenix by a certain time then leave accordingly. You deserve to be treated like anyone else who was doing criminal speed.
Can i get a card like that?
But if that were me or you! We’d be having felony speed charges or be taken into custody.. LPCSO come on!!
#MosleySucksBigOnes
Time to rethink who we put into office, I’m not voting for that guy.
Hey Isabel and Meghan, there is no such thing as FELONY SPEEDING LAWS for anyone. The speed laws are that if you are driving between 1 to 20 miles per hour over the speed limit(except in a school zone), the violation is a civil traffic violation. If you are driving more than 21 miles per hour over the limit, it is a misdemeanor. The only felonies in Title 28 (traffic violations) of the Arizona Revised Statutes are regarding aggravated driving under the influence and to deal with vehicular homicide, so you don’t have to worry about a 45+ mile per hour felony charge on your record. The law concerning this stop is poorly written and vague, it also needs to be change and rewritten. It is a much older and outdated.
Wrong answer Parker Live. He did what he was supposed to do. He got advice.
Did I write something contrary to that?
I’m not sure why everyone is having such a hard time grasping this concept, including the sheriff himself who says his deputy “acted in accordance with The law”
“Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States.” Politicians who exempt themselves (we don’t get to vote on it) from the laws we all must abide by need to be outed! They are sneaky, selfish, egotistical, self serving leeches. It’s a disgrace and our founding fathers would be profoundly saddened and angry.
I just wonder if the cop that pulled Mosley over was the same one that passed me just outside of Havasu doing at the very least 120 mph if not more… Hummm??? I wonder???