SEN. CARPENTER CITED FOR RECKLESS DRIVING, ENDANGERING SAFETY

[A Milwaukeeworld exclusive]
By Michael Horne

Chapter 346 of the Wisconsin Statutes is entitled "The Rules of the Road," one of which, 346.62(2), states, "No person may endanger the safety of any person or property by the negligent operation of a vehicle."
That is the charge levied against Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-3rd), the Milwaukee legislator who violated the statute on March 18th somewhere in Racine County. The charge, which is a traffic forfeiture case carrying a $375 bond, was not filed until April 5th 2006, as Racine County Case Number 2006TR004679
Carpenter will make his initial appearance at 8 a.m. Friday April 21st, 2006 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center Hearing Room before Hon. Alice A. Rudebusch.
It was not immediately clear what led State Trooper Deborah M. Reis to issue Citation M3917060 to the 46-year old legislator that March Saturday evening nearly a month ago, or why charges were not filed until more than a fortnight later.
Racine District Attorney Michael E. Mieskes says it may be due to a new electronic filing system employed by the State Patrol beginning this year.
He says his office does not have a copy of the citation, and that in a routine traffic matter such as this one, in which a forfeiture is the penalty, it would not be the procedure of his office to review the case beforehand.
For license plate collectors, you will be amused to learn that Carpenter's vehicle has the license plate number of "BASEBAL."

Milwaukeeworld has placed calls for further information with the court officer of the Wisconsin State Patrol and with the office of Sen. Carpenter. Milwaukeeworld has also asked for a copy of the citation issued by the trooper.
You will receive information as soon as it becomes available.