SoCal legislator accused of DUI in Sacramento was sober, prosecutors say
No charges will be filed against the California state senator from Riverside who was accused of driving while intoxicated.
Sabrina Cervantes, a Democrat who represents Senate District 31, was cited for driving under the influence on May 19 after she went to a local hospital following a crash in Sacramento.
At the hospital, Cervantes showed signs of intoxication, police said, though she claimed the officers 'accosted' her.
Cervantes denied being under the influence, and on Friday, the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office backed up her claim and declined to file charges.
'The toxicology results were negative for any measurable amount of alcohol or drugs,' the DA's Office said in a statement. 'We have reviewed of all the submitted evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and laboratory results. Based on our ethical duty and the burden of proof in a criminal trial, the Sacramento County DA's Office declines to file any charges in this case.'
Cervantes had not yet publicly commented on prosecutors' announcement before publication, but police issued a statement to KTLA's Capitol correspondent Eytan Wallace to 'provide clarity while maintaining transparency and respect for all involved.'
The statement defended officers' actions and explained that Cervantes declined to take a field sobriety test, though it also acknowledged the controversial nature of the incident.
'The Sacramento Police Department has received numerous public records requests about this incident,' the statement said. 'We will be releasing responsive documents today on the initial requests and will process the remaining requests as soon as possible.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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