Jennifer Hepner DUI: Miss Montana Claims Miranda Rights Ignored

by Tina Kells | March 26, 2009 at 11:44 am

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Jennifer Hepner, 23, has gone from Queen of the Scene in Great Falls, Montana, to statewide disgrace after she was formally charged with DUI March 25, 2009. Hepner's DUI charge stems from a January 3, 2009 incident.

Hepner was pulled over after a police officer noted suspicious driving in the early morning of January 3. The officer noted that she seemed intoxicated and asked her to submit to a breathalyzer and blood test.

The reigning Miss Montana took the 5th and refused both, prompting the officer to follow procedure and seize and suspend her driver's license at the scene.

Jennifer Hepner has plead not guilty to all charges. Her lawyer states that he repeated requests for legal counsel were ignored and that this will be the basis of her defense.

But Hepner, who pleaded not guilty at her initial court appearance, filed a petition in Gallatin County District Court on Feb. 4. She said the traffic stop and arrest were illegal, and the arresting officer did not follow proper procedure.

Hepner's attorney, Brett Schandelson of Missoula, said in a statement Wednesday that his client asked to speak with an attorney before deciding how to proceed, but her requests were ignored and ultimately denied.

"Because of her uncertainty as to the legal consequences of any decision, misleading information provided to her by the Bozeman police officer and the denial of her access to counsel, Miss Hepner's license was suspended for allegedly refusing a breath test,'' Schandelson said.

After her license was seized, Jennifer Hepner was temporarily relieved of all Miss America Pageant duties relating to her Miss Montana title. The suspension remained in effect until February 16, 2009, although Hepner was allowed to participate in the January 24, 2009 Miss America Pageant.

The Miss America Organization has not further suspended Hepner in light of the formal charges and has allowed her to keep her crown. The next Miss Montana will be crowned on June 20, 2009.

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