Lawmaker's wife pleads guilty to drunk driving

A 45-year-old Gardnerville woman was fined $897 and ordered to complete 36 hours of community service after she pleaded guilty to drunk driving with a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit.

Sherese Settelmeyer appeared in East Fork Justice Court on Wednesday before Senior Judge Steven R. McMorris.

She is the wife of James Settelmeyer who was elected Tuesday to the Capital Senate District in the Nevada Legislature.

Settelmeyer attended the court session with his wife, but declined comment.

Sherese Settelmeyer was arrested Sept. 13 after a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper observed a white Jeep without a license plate light traveling southbound on Highway 395 at Highway 50 West about 8:30 p.m.

The trooper followed the vehicle into Douglas County and he said the driver had trouble maintaining the center of the travel lane, drifting left and right, and finally crossing into the left lane.

He said the vehicle was traveling 70 mph in a 65-mph zone and he initiated a traffic stop.

A blood test indicated her alcohol content was .17, more than twice the legal limit of .08 for driving.

"Mrs. Settelmeyer has been proactive taking care of issues," attorney Tod Young said Wednesday.

He said she completed a mandatory victim's impact panel, DUI school and paid an $897 fine.

"She recognizes she used some bad judgment on this occasion and she is sorry she did that," Young said.

He said she had arranged a ride with friends that evening, but they left without her.

"She did try to drive home, she felt she could drive. She is taking responsibility. She has done exactly what she knew she needed to do to try to make amends to this community, the court and to herself," Young said.

Settelmeyer said she spent 12 hours in jail when she was arrested.

"She does a lot of community service already and would be happy to do house arrest," Young said. "She asks that you not put her back in jail."

McMorris sentenced Settelmeyer to 62 days in jail with 60 days suspended for one year provided she violate no laws. Her community service is to be completed by Feb. 14.