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March 29, 2024

Plea on table would put ex-assemblyman Brooks behind bars for 20 months

Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 | 4:44 p.m.

Assemblyman Steven Brooks - Feb. 7, 2013

Assemblyman Steven Brooks hugs Assemblyman Pat Hickey before a meeting Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 during the 2013 legislative session in Carson City. Launch slideshow »
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Steven Brooks was arrested early Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013.

California prosecutors have offered a plea agreement in the case of former Nevada Assemblyman Steven Brooks on charges stemming from a car chase and police confrontation in March.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office wants Brooks to plead guilty to evading and resisting an officer, two felony charges. In exchange for the plea, they would recommend Brooks serve a modified sentence of 20 months in prison, according to Shannon Faherty, a deputy district attorney.

Brooks has neither accepted nor rejected the plea agreement, Faherty said.

Brooks is charged with felony counts of evading an officer, resisting an executive officer, throwing substances at a vehicle and misdemeanor assault on a police animal. If convicted on all of the charges, Brooks could face more than five years in prison.

A Victorville, Calif., judge on Tuesday set a pre-preliminary hearing July 16 and a preliminary hearing July 18.

Brooks' defense asked last month that he be enrolled in a mental health court program that would allow him out on probation and hold him accountable for receiving mental health treatment. The court rejected the plan.

Brooks has been in a San Bernardino County jail since his March 28 arrest along Interstate 15 in Victorville.

Barstow police said they responded to a call of an argument between Brooks and a tow truck driver over payment on Interstate 15.

According to police reports, Brooks sped off on a flat tire, throwing objects out of his car as police gave chase. After using a spike strip to stop the car, just north of Victorville, Calif., police said Brooks tried to choke and beat a police dog deployed to help subdue him when he did not respond to officers’ commands. Police eventually said they had to use a Taser to take him into custody.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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