(Michigan City, IN) - A state lawmaker representing parts of La Porte and surrounding counties has been sentenced for drunk driving.

 

Under a plea agreement, State Senator Mike Bohacek, a republican from Michiana Shores, must serve one year on probation for Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

 

A 20 day suspension of his driver’s license was also imposed under terms of the guilty plea accepted Wednesday in La Porte Superior Court 4 by Jeffrey Thode, a special judge from Porter County.

 

Thode agreed to preside over the case after all judges in LaPorte County recused themselves to avoid any appearance of impropriety since Bohacek’s district includes parts of La Porte as well as St. Joseph, Starke and Marshall counties.

 

Bohacek must also complete a substance abuse evaluation and take part in any recommended therapy.

 

On January 24, police said officers were notified about a man later identified as Bohacek stumbling out of his 2023 Dodge Charger with an Indiana State Senator license plate on it outside Panda Express in Michigan City.

 

Officers were also told the man appeared intoxicated while ordering food inside the restaurant.

 

Police said Bohacek left before responding officers arrived but his car was soon located turning onto U.S. 20 and stopped when clocked at 62 mph. in a 45 mph. zone.

 

Bohacek denied consuming alcohol, telling an officer in slurred speech that he was short on sleep after driving from Indianapolis.  He began heading home after the state legislature in session at the time convened for the weekend.

 

Police said Bohacek was still seated in his car when he began eating food and consuming a beverage but stopped at the request of the officer.  He later spilled some of his food and drink over his shirt and pants before refusing a certified breathalyzer test to measure his blood alcohol content.

 

He was transported to a hospital where he agreed to take the breath test but the officer chose, instead, to have a sample of blood taken from his arm.

 

His alleged blood alcohol level was over three times the .08 percent legal limit.

 

Bohacek, who was given a ride home, was not arrested right away because the Indiana constitution prohibits state lawmakers from being taken into custody while the legislature is in session except for treason, a felony or breach of peace.

 

After this year’s legislative session ended in late April, a warrant was sought for his arrest but he was allowed to turn himself in the next month on a summons ordering him into court to answer to the allegations.

 

Bohacek, who has not spoken publicly about the allegations, did not respond again when asked to comment on his sentencing.

 

He’s been a state senator since November of 2016.

 

Until sentencing, Bohacek was allowed to keep driving as long as he used an ignition interlock device ordered installed on his car.  Drivers must blow into the device, which allows a vehicle to start only if alcohol is not detected in the breath.