Natrona County Republican Rep. Bill Allemand wants to forgo court-ordered alcohol testing during the upcoming legislative session, while a driving under the influence case against him proceeds, recent court filings show.
A deputy arrested Allemand on Dec. 28 in Buffalo after being pulled over for suspicious driving. The Republican lawmaker from Midwest subsequently pleaded not guilty.
As a condition of his bond, Allemand is required to undergo random alcohol testing. He is also prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol or controlled substances, and from being in any bar, liquor store or anywhere else where alcohol is the main item for sale.
R. Michael Vang, Allemand’s attorney, filed a motion on Jan. 21 asking the court to either entirely rescind the testing condition of his bond or amend the order so Allemand can forgo testing during the upcoming legislative session in Cheyenne.
The filing points to Allemand’s obligation as a lawmaker to attend the session, which begins Feb. 9, and argues that the Wyoming Constitution protects a “citizen’s fundamental right to be free from unreasonable searches” as well as “reasonable conditions of bond pending trial.”
After Allemand was pulled over, a Johnson County sheriff’s deputy said he found an open can of beer in the center console of the lawmaker’s truck alongside four unopened beers and a loaded pistol on the front passenger seat. Allemand admitted to drinking two beers 15 minutes before the stop and told the deputy “he drinks while driving for anxiety,” according to a police report.
During a field sobriety test, Allemand “lost balance multiple times and almost fell,” forcing the officer to stop the test, according to the affidavit. Police also allege that Allemand had “significant difficulty getting in and out of [the] patrol vehicle.”
Vang told WyoFile in a statement, “it is not appropriate to have random chemical testing as a condition of bond for someone with no prior history of alcohol or drug abuse for a first offense DUI charge, where the person is presumed innocent and the burden of proof is on the government to prove their guilt.”
A leading DUI defense trial attorney, Vang also pushed back on the accuracy of such testing.
“I also don’t like random chemical testing because they use what are called presumptive tests, which must be confirmed to prove the presence of alcohol or drugs,” Vang said. “Unfortunately, I see lots of people falsely accused of using alcohol and drugs because the random testing is not conducted with validated scientific methods.”
A hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday.
Voters first elected Allemand in 2022 to represent House District 58, which encompasses a central section of northern Natrona County. He is a member of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, a group of Republicans who control the House.
I don’t see a problem here and perhaps Mr. Allemand will make better legislative decisions if he’s drunk. Or, have his past Cheyenne endeavors occurred while he was drunk?!
I believe that the judge was quite clear. This is the punishment for the violation that he was arrested for.
There is NO privilege assigned to representatives of ANY government official.
surprising it is not branded as a witch hunt with possible RINOs framing this poor innocent and anxious man with his gun and beers. Wyoming deserves better representation and someone who takes responsibility for their actions instead of blaming others and also someone who can remain upright while walking
I have 32 years of sobriety and denial is the 1st clue that a person is alcoholic. Don’t let him off of testing.
It sure is nice how elected officials always think they are exempt from the rules.
Are you kidding me? Been there done that. There’s a whole lotta drinking going on during the session. This is the time for all the lobbiests and “special’ friends to “grease their bill”. All the legislators in one place. Hey Bill, let me buy you a drink and talk about that bill…”
While I believe people who drink and drive should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law this reals of guilty until proven innocent. They should have completed that field test because now all they have is the word of the officer. The officer messed up by not following procedure regardless of the reason. People stumble and are tipsy for a lot of reasons. Some being medical. I’m not here protecting allaman I’m here promoting that law officers follow procedure.
Give me a break. Quit defending stupidity.
He admitted he drinks and drives for ‘stress relief’. Please, the Jonson County Sheriff’s Deputy did his job spot on. This guy? A total jerk.
Aaron, he refused and so a blood draw an hour and a half later showed Allemand at 0.24 blood alcohol content. Gotcha!
Really?!! No one made you drink and drive Rep Allemand; you made the decision to operate your truck while potentially under the influence. And having a CDL just makes it that much worse.
If anyone of the rest of us was arrested for a DUI with an open container in the vehicle think we could get any of these accommodations? If one needs help, please get help. Stop making excuses, stop blaming others, and take responsibility for your actions.
This person obviously has a serious problem and is a sick man. Rather than man-up and acknowledge his drinking problem, resign his seat in the legislature, and take the time to get help, he seems to be taking the more belligerent path which is sad, both for him and the state of Wyoming.
Rather than humble up and accept the consequences of his actions, first he blusters about accusing the arresting officer of a false charge and his comment was: “I got a deputy who did not like me knowing my rights,”
He needs to cowboy up and accept the terms of his bond……..a little hardship on his part might actually do him some good, cause from where I’m standing he’s got a huge “entitlement” attitude.
And while some might not agree, I find it highly unlikely that someone stopped and charged with DUI was unlucky enough to be caught the first time driving impaired. The gentleman needs help. If found guilty, I hope it’s part of his sentencing requirement.
Honestly, I think all legislators should be drug tested at the beginning and end of the session, as well as have to take a breathalyzer test in the morning and after lunch everyday of the session. These people are tasked with some pretty important work and should not be impaired while doing it.
I am a volunteer with Recover Wyoming, and my sister is the founder of that organization (Visit RecoverWyoming.org). Representative Allemand is facing the consequences of his actions: driving while drinking alcohol. He endangered his own life and those of others on the highway. The Johnson County sheriff’s deputy may have saved a life, or lives, that night by pulling him over.
Denial is generally one of the stages people go through before recovery from addiction can begin. Testing will not prohibit the representative from doing his job at the legislature. Dodging consequences may make people question his judgment.
Let’s all remember too, there is no shame is seeking help. Addiction is a brain disorder, not a character defect. I hope Represent Allemand decides to set a good example for others by facing the consequences of his actions.
Isn’t it rich….aren’t they a pair
Billy needs to get his drink on in Cheyenne because if driving gives him anxiety, then imagine what his psyche must go through realizing he is the most obtuse guy in the room.
I am sure I get a great number of negative reviews when I testify on Bills/SFs, but I have only confirmed two instances where I have been called an idiot; one was Hicks and the other Allemand.
Send in Clowns, there has to be clowns….don’t bother February 9th is almost here…
Aw folks, give prairie dog Bill a break, he’s just fighting for his right to party during the Cheyenne Wyoming annual drink fest – no, not talking about Frontier Days. I thought Non FreeDumb Cabal members were against drinking, partying, abortion and having fun, guess I was wrong
Remember giving exception can cause making the same allowable for all. So although Mr. Allemend is presumed innocent, he’s still out on bail. He needs to be a big boy and deal with his bail conditions or go to jail.
This guy just does not get it! And now he wants special treatment? Should have thought about that before drinking while driving. As others have stated it is a party for these people when they meet up and now he’ll have to obstain.
you cant make this stuff up!
Aren’t we SPECIAL! Maybe you need to step down Allemand and make way for someone younger, smarter and a better example.
Just an excuse to party.
In my career, I visited a lot of get togethers while I was lobbying the legislature
The alcohol flowed . Many times it was free.
Driving under the influence, is driving under the influence. I don’t care if it was his first offense or not. People should not drink and drive. Years ago, like 45 years ago, there was a joke. The joke went like this. How far is it to Laramie from Casper? It’s six beers. Casper to Cheyenne is 8 beers
We need the courts to set an example. You drive well under the influence you pay the consequences. If he has anxiety, he should’ve got the appropriate medication from a doctor.
What an embarrassment to the state. If he had any shame, he would resign
I think there’s quite a bit of partying at these sessions. If I recall correctly, there was at least one alcohol generated fight. I wonder why he doesn’t want to have a random alcohol / chemical test.
Given that he was arrested and charged also with open container, it is not unreasonable to require what amounts to safety for the populous. And since it is a bond condition it isn’t an unreasonable search.