A member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will go before a Philadelphia judge next month to face criminal drunk driving charges. The representative was arrested early last month after she allegedly drove the wrong way down a one way street in her state-provided vehicle. She has not publicly discussed her DUI arrest, but has chosen to await the outcome of her trial before making a statement.

According to police reports, Representative Cherelle Parker was pulled over after an officer noticed her traveling the wrong way on a one-way street in Germantown in the early morning hours of May 1. She was placed under arrest at the scene, and was then taken back to the police station where the arresting officer administered two chemical tests. Following the arrest, Representative Parker was held at the police station until the morning, and was released following her arraignment.

Earlier this week, she had a preliminary hearing before a Philadelphia judge, during which her DUI trial date was set for July 11. The results of the chemical tests have not been released to the public, but will likely become public record when the representative's case goes to trial. She will retain her driving privileges until that date. It is unknown whether the judge will take her state-provided vehicle away following the trial.

Representative Parker is a six-year veteran of the state legislature. Her district covers Upper Roxborough and Andorra. She has not commented on the arrest and DUI charges, but her lawyer stated that Parker regrets putting herself in this position.

Source: Patch, "Trial Date Set for State Rep. Parker," Zach Subar, 2 June 2011