In a dramatic turn of events that challenges the very premise of our social faith in public figures, elected Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, 32, was arrested over the weekend, facing her second charge for driving under the influence. Her arrest, in the early hours of Saturday while cruising along the I-10 Freeway in Banning, comes to light barely six weeks after a judge dismissed her previous conviction from 2015. Cervantes had promised the court then never to repeat such irresponsible conduct, only to stumble over her own solemn vow.
Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, 32, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on July 1, just over 40 days after she had a previous DUI conviction from 2015 dismissed by a judge. https://t.co/yMDmcLxqTI
— KCAL News (@kcalnews) July 6, 2023
This incident raises grave concerns about the integrity and credibility of our elected representatives – individuals who are meant to lead by example, upholding the highest legal and moral standards. Cervantes, currently amid a bid for the California State Assembly, has served Riverside City Council for two years since her election in 2021. The second Latina and second LGBTQ person to hold the council seat, she is now shackled with the censure of her constituents who are echoing the call for her resignation.
“She’s in a position of higher power,” remarked Alejandra Santana, a Riverside County resident. “She’s supposed to set the example for the city.” Santana’s disappointment reflects the sentiment of many who had elected Cervantes into office, addressing aspects of diversity but finding themselves let down again. Cervantes is now under the shadow of potential jail time of up to one year and a two-year driver’s license suspension, as per the California Vehicle Code. A court hearing awaits her on August 30.
Recalling the details of Cervantes’ first arrest back in 2014, she was charged with DUI near her Moreno Valley apartment address on the 60 Freeway. The rampant episodes of irresponsibility depicted through her nearly double the legal limit blood-alcohol level earned Cervantes three years of probation, along with a sentence of 10 days of electronic monitoring, attendance in a DUI offender’s class, and a penalty fine of $2541.
During her plea to have these charges expunged, Cervantes admitted to poor decision-making after drinking during her early 20’s. She attributed the lapse to the fallout from a domestically abusive relationship that had drastically affected her mental and physical health. In a statement delivered to the Southern California News Group, she expressed deep regret. “I take full responsibility, and I want to apologize to my family, my community, and the residents of the district that I represent,” she said.
Riverside’s Ward 2, including areas like Sycamore Canyon, Canyon Crest, UC Riverside, and Eastside, hang in the balance as their representative navigates this personal and professional crisis. As of this report, Cervantes has not responded to requests for comment from KCAL News.
This incident also touches upon Cervantes’ political lineage – her sister, Sabrina Cervantes, currently serves as the California State Assembly member representing the 58th Assembly District.
In closing, this incident triggers the debate on the accountability of public figures who break the very laws they vow to uphold and protect. Clarissa Cervantes serves as a stark lesson to those who stand at the helm of public responsibility but fail to lead by example. It underscores the urgency for politicians to reinstate trust, transparency, and integrity in their conduct – principles that form the bedrock of libertarianism and democratic governance at large. Elected representatives should live the values they preach – anything less undermines both their constituents’ faith and the democratic fibre of our institutions.
