Nancy Pelosi's Husband Arraigned On DUI Charges, Pleads Not Guilty: DA

NAPA, CA — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was arraigned Wednesday in Napa County Superior Court on two misdemeanor charges related to a crash and suspected DUI arrest May 28 in Napa County.

Paul Pelosi did not appear in court for the arraignment which was open to the public and streamed on Zoom. Instead, his attorney, Amanda Bevins appeared on his behalf and entered a not guilty plea to all counts.

“Pelosi was not ordered by the court to personally appear at the arraignment and he chose to appear through his defense counsel,” the Napa County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. “Under California Penal Code section 977, a defendant can appear through their attorney on a DUI misdemeanor case and does not have to be present in the courtroom unless ordered by a judicial officer.”

Bevins waived a formal reading of the charges, which include Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Causing Injury and Driving With .08 Percent Blood Alcohol Level or Higher Causing Injury.

“Through his counsel, the defendant waived his right to a jury trial within 45 days,” the DA’s Office said.

Judge Monique Langhorne allowed Mr. Pelosi to remain out of custody on his own recognizance, and ordered that the matter be continued to Aug. 23. At that time, Pelosi may plead guilty or no contest, or the case can be set for a jury trial.

“The punishment for driving under the influence causing injury as a misdemeanor is set by California law,” the DA’s Office said. “It includes up to five years of probation, a minimum of five days in jail, installation of an ignition interlock device, fines and fees, completion of a court-ordered drinking driver class, and other terms as appropriate."

The Arrest

The Pelosis have a home in St. Helena, a city in Napa County. Around 10:15 p.m. May 28, Pelosi, 82, was driving home in his 2021 Porsche Carrera sports car when he collided with a 2014 Jeep SUV on state Highway 29 at Oakville Cross Road. The crash caused major damage to both vehicles.

Paramedics responded, but Pelosi and the other driver both declined medical treatment at the scene. The other driver reported in a June 2 interview that the day after the crash, he had pain in his right arm, right shoulder and neck.

The driver, who was not identified, told Napa County district attorney investigators it was difficult to lift things with his right arm and that he suffered from headaches that were not present before the collision, the office said.

A blood sample was taken from Pelosi at 12:32 a.m. May 29 and was sent to the California Department of Justice for testing. The results showed Pelosi's blood sample had a .082 percent blood alcohol concentration, the office said.

The following narrative was included in court documents filed in the case:

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Paul Pelosi Lawyers Dispute Account Of Crash, Arrest
• Paul Pelosi Agrees To Court Date In DUI Case: Napa County DA