State Rep. Jeff Hale, a Republican lawmaker from Hernando, was arrested and charged by the Hernando Police Department on Friday night with driving under the influence, reckless driving, speeding and disorderly conduct.
Online police records show Hale was booked into the DeSoto County detention facility, posted a bond of $1,500 and that he has been released from custody. The online records also say that this is Hale’s first DUI charge.
Rep. Jeff Hale, R-Nesbit Credit: Mississippi House
Hale did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It’s unclear if he has an attorney representing him. The police department also did not respond to a request for comment.
Hale told the DeSoto Times-Tribune in a statement that he received a phone call from his son and daughter-in-law saying that his granddaughter was unconscious and that they were traveling to the hospital for treatment.
He further told the news outlet that while he was traveling to meet his family at the hospital, he was “providing instructions through my wife over the phone in an effort to help my granddaughter.”
He also apologized to the police department and the sheriff’s department for his actions, but said he was not under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicants.
Hale has been in the Legislature since 2016, and he currently serves as the chairman of the House Energy Committee.
