Accused Lawmakers Seek Immunity
Filed by Michael Cross in Feature, Local News, News, Politics.
September 13, 2011
The State Supreme Court is looking into a case which would allow lawmakers to be immune from felony prosecution while performing legislative duties.
Arguments before the Supreme Court on Tuesday came after an appellate court decided that the speech and debate immunity clause in the constitution doesn’t apply to felony prosecutions.
Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland argued before the justices to keep the lower court ruling in place.
“We have to be careful that this immunity which is intended to balance power between the executive branch and the legislative branch doesn’t create super citizens of our lawmakers.”
Former US Attorney Robert McCampbell representing former Senator Debbe Leftwich wants the justices to overturn the decision saying overzealous DAs could prosecute any lawmaker for anything they say.
Leftwich is accused of accepting a bribe of an $80,000 a year job from Representative Randy Terrill if she chose not to seek reelection.
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