jschramm@minotdailynews.com
Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, has pled not guilty to driving under the influence, according to court documents filed Wednesday in South Central District Court in Bismarck.
A May 12 preliminary hearing has been waived and a misdemeanor jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 27.
Louser, 49, had been driving a 2021 Cadillac Escalade when he was pulled over after crossing from Mandan into Bismarck shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, April 16. A North Dakota Highway Patrol officer observed his vehicle weaving partially into neighboring lanes, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Traveling with Louser as a passenger in his vehicle was Katie Winbauer, a University of North Dakota law student who has been participating in a legislative internship program. The trooper allowed Louser to consult privately for legal advice from Winbauer, and after consultation, Louser agreed to a breath test, which was administered at the Burleigh Morton County Detention Center.