Hague strikes a plea deal

REDMOND -- King County Councilwoman Jane Hague struck a conditional plea bargain with prosecutors Thursday that will reduce her drunken-driving charge to reckless driving.

"I'm happy to have this concluded," Hague said after a brief court appearance that cemented the deal. "It's been a tremendous learning experience."

Under the agreement, Hague's charge will be reduced in six months if she performs 75 hours of community service, attends alcohol information sessions and a drunken-driving victims' panel, airs three public service announcements related to drunken driving and stays crime free.

Additional conditions include a drug and alcohol evaluation, which has already been completed, and the installation of an ignition lock that will prevent Hague from starting her car if she is intoxicated.

Prosecutor Lynn Moberly said that, if the conditions are met, she will recommend a one-year suspended sentence and payment penalties that will total about $900 in fines and fees. Hague's license will be suspended because of the reckless driving conviction.

"Given the lack of criminal history and the suppression of breath tests, I believe this is appropriate," Moberly told King County District Court Judge Peter Nault.

Hague, 61, was arrested the night of June 2 after she lurched down state Route 520 in her silver Mercedes convertible and then pulled to the side of the road, police said. Her husband was a passenger in the car.

"I'm really sorry this did occur," Hague said Thursday. "I'm glad that no one was hurt or injured."

Nault ruled in November that the results of breath tests, which police said Hague failed, couldn't be used in a trial because of defects in implying Hague's consent to them -- a ruling consistent with those in other drunken-driving cases.

Hague said she will work with law enforcement officials and advocacy groups to spread the message about the dangers of drinking and driving.

"I want ... to be the poster child to make sure this doesn't happen again," she said. "You haven't heard the last from me on this."

Hague's breath-alcohol content registered in two readings at 0.135 and 0.141, according to her arrest records. The legal limit is 0.08.

Moberly said Nault's decision to exclude the test results opened the way to negotiating a plea bargain with Hague instead of trying her on the drunken-driving charge. "You never know what a jury's going to decide," Moberly said.

Given the circumstances of Hague's case, Moberly said, "she was treated, I think, very much the same as anyone else charged with the same thing."

The deputy who pulled Hague over said she told him she had consumed two glasses of wine that night.

The deputy described the councilwoman as "sarcastic and condescending" during her arrest.

Hague later issued a statement apologizing for her behavior during the arrest.

After court Thursday, she said, "I feel that as a public official, I should be held to a higher standard."

Hague, a Bellevue Republican, was re-elected Nov. 6.