The Daily Bulletin reports that Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes entered a guilty plea in Riverside County Superior Court yesterday, Wednesday, August 30.
Cervantes was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Banning on July 1, immediately following the grand opening of a housing project in Riverside.
Councilmember Cervantes released an apology immediately following the incident, admitting to her mistake and checked into a three-week alcohol recovery program.
Yesterday, Cervantes pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content greater than .08 percent. Cervantes was sentenced to 102 days of summary probation. The judge gave Cervantes credit for approximately half of that time because of the in-patient recovery program she attended.
Cervantes will serve the remaining 57 days through a work-release program, which she must begin by September 15.
Other conditions of Cervantes’ sentence include a fine of $1,948, the installation of an ignition interlocking device in her vehicles, and completing an impaired driver program.
Derek Humphrey, acting as spokesperson for Cervantes, released a statement from the Councilmember’s attorney, Paul Grech.
“Today’s decision demonstrated the Judge’s understanding That Ms. Cervantes has taken full accountability for her actions by acknowledging her completion of an in-patient recovery program and extensive voluntary steps to maintain her sobriety and continue on a positive path,” the statement read.
In December, Cervantes announced she would run for a seat on the 58th Assembly District, currently held by her sister, Sabrina Cervantes. It is unclear whether she still intends to run for the position.
