California State Senator Files Lawsuit Against Sacramento Over Alleged Retaliatory DUI Arrest
California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Sacramento and its police department, alleging that officers fabricated evidence to falsely accuse her of driving under the influence. The incident occurred after Cervantes was involved in a car crash near the state Capitol, where she was T-boned by another driver. Cervantes claims the arrest was motivated by discriminatory bias and retaliation for a bill she authored, which aimed to restrict law enforcement's use of data from automatic license plate readers. Despite a blood test showing no traces of drugs or alcohol, officers proceeded with the arrest, allegedly submitting false information to the DMV. Cervantes, an LGBTQ+ Latina, asserts that she was treated less favorably than the white woman at fault in the crash. Her lawsuit seeks damages for violations of federal civil rights and state law, including false arrest and defamation. 
