VIRGINIA CITY - The case of a Storey County deputy district attorney arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence, will likely be handed over to the state attorney general's office for review.
Because Storey County has only two prosecutors and because of the potential conflict of one prosecutor reviewing the case of the other, the case of Sharon Claassen, who was arrested near Virginia City, will probably be handed over to the state attorney general in the coming weeks.
"We have not received any request yet, but that probably will happen," said Steve George, information officer for the state attorney general's office. Storey County District Attorney Janet Hess was unavailable for comment.
George said Hess will likely take the case to the county commission and ask for a resolution. It would then be handed over to the state, the procedure for this type of situation.
After Saturday's arrest, Claassen reported a medical problem and was transported by helicopter to Washoe Medical Center where she was treated and released. A Nevada Highway Patrol sergeant obtained a blood sample to test her blood-alcohol level.
She was never booked in the Storey County Jail.
Claassen is currently involved in the prosecution of three men accused of slaughtering wild horses in the hills east of Reno last winter. A trial is scheduled for April 17.
