Tina Peters, Former Colorado Clerk Who Denied Election, Avoids Jail

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — A former Colorado county clerk accused of illegally accessing her election system averted jail time for a misdemeanor obstruction conviction in one other case on Monday.

County Decide Bruce Raaum sentenced Tina Peters to 120 hours of neighborhood service and 4 months of dwelling detention with an ankle monitor for making an attempt to forestall authorities from taking an iPad she allegedly used to video a courtroom listening to. Nonetheless, the sentence was instantly placed on maintain whereas Peters appeals it, The Day by day Sentinel reported.

Peters, who has turn out to be a outstanding nationwide determine within the election conspiracy motion, had confronted as much as six months in jail. Peters’ legal professional, Harvey Steinberg, argued that she mustn't go to jail because it was her first conviction and since she was exercising her rights to query authorities.

District Lawyer Dan Rubinstein stated Peters, as an elected official, must be held to a better commonplace.

Raaum agreed that a larger commonplace ought to apply to Peters and that she had proven she had little respect for the legislation, however he didn't assume time behind bars was warranted.

Final month, a jury discovered Peters responsible of obstructing authorities operations however acquitted her of obstructing a peace officer.

Peters was briefly detained on Feb. 8, 2022, at a restaurant the place she was assembly with different folks when investigators from the district legal professional’s workplace confirmed up with a warrant to grab the iPad. Peters is accused of utilizing the iPad to report a courtroom listening to for a former subordinate, Belinda Knisely, who was additionally charged within the election system case.

Peters gave the iPad to a different particular person, and police have been referred to as. Peters obtained between officers and the person to attempt to forestall them from taking the iPad. Peters was handcuffed and brought outdoors with out warning, which was captured on police physique digicam video.

Peters faces seven felony costs for allegedly permitting a duplicate of a tough drive to be made throughout an replace of election gear in 2021 looking for proof of the false conspiracy theories promoted by former President Donald Trump. She has pleaded not responsible and contends the costs are politically motivated.

Knisely and one other former clerk’s workplace worker, Sandra Brown, have each pleaded responsible underneath offers that require them to testify towards Peters. That trial is scheduled for August.