A lawmaker was reportedly arrested early Thursday morning after telling officers they couldn’t arrest him because of his role in the government.
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Rep. Dean Davis of the Oklahoma House of Representatives was with a group of people who stayed on the patio of Skinny Slim’s, a local pub in downtown Oklahoma City around 2:11 a.m., and officers told the group to leave since it was a violation for bars to allow people to keep drinking after closing time. Officers reportedly told Davis to leave three times, but he became argumentative.
According to WREG, Davis showed the officers a credential and said, “You don’t know how bad you messed up. You will find out tomorrow.” Body camera footage showed the officers arresting Davis, and he tells them, “First of all, you cannot detain me right now.”
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The arresting officer told Davis that he was reminded to leave the bar multiple times, and the lawmaker took out a card, then told them to read what it said. “‘Senators or representatives shall, except for treason, felony or breach of peace, be privileged from arrest during the session of the Legislature,’ the officer reads, and David tells him he’s correct. However, the officer said, “you’re not in the legislature and told Davis that he was not in the state Capitol.
“So, at this point right now, the way I’m reading it, I’m not arresting you at the state Legislature,”
Davis continues to argue with him and tells him he cannot be detained, but the officer continues the arrest. Davis was arrested for public intoxication.
However, this is not the first time Davis attempted to use his status to prevent arrest while intoxicated in public. Representative Cyndi Munson said in a statement that lawmakers are not above the law when it comes to public intoxication. Davis had a previous arrest in 2019.
“I have reviewed the footage of the arrest. The video was distressing. It is known that this isn’t the first time the Representative has been arrested on charges related to intoxication and has attempted to use his position as an elected official to avoid facing consequences. It appears he needs to seek help for substance abuse. And I sincerely hope he does. As a member of the House of Representatives, we are not above the law and must protect the public safety of all people. It is incumbent upon the Speaker to respond soon. As Leader of the House Chamber, it is important to hold his members accountable to ensure the people’s business is conducted with integrity.”