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March 18, 2024

California judge refuses to reduce bail for ex-lawmaker, sets court date in I-15 chase

Brooks California Arrest

Jennifer Simpson / AP

California Highway Patrol officers draw their weapons as they arrest ex-Nevada Assemblyman Steven Brooks, Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Victorville, Calif. Brooks led police on a chase from Barstow, Calif., until his tires were spiked in Victorville, Calif. Brooks was arrested on charges including resisting arrest and throwing objects, just hours after he became the first lawmaker ever expelled from the Nevada Legislature.

Updated Tuesday, April 2, 2013 | 4:43 p.m.

Former Assemblyman Steven Brooks

Former Assemblyman Steven Brooks

Former Assemblyman Steven Brooks remained in a California jail after a judge denied Brooks’ request for lower bail.

San Bernardino Superior Judge John Gibson ruled that Brooks' bond should remain at $100,000 during an arraignment Tuesday afternoon in Barstow, Calif. Gibson also tentatively set a preliminary hearing for April 9 on four criminal counts filed against Brooks.

Brooks, 41, who appeared in court via video feed, pleaded not guilty to the charges that stemmed from an arrest Thursday in which police said he led them on a chase and had to be stopped with tire spikes, a police dog and a Taser.

A complaint filed Tuesday morning by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office charged Brooks with felony counts of evading an officer, resisting an executive officer, throwing substances at a vehicle and misdemeanor assault on a police animal.

Brooks was arrested just hours after the Nevada Assembly expelled him in the wake of a series of erratic behaviors and previous skirmishes with the law.

Barstow police said they responded to a call of an argument between Brooks and a tow truck driver over payment about 6:15 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 15.

According to police reports, Brooks sped off on a flat tire, throwing objects out of his car as police gave chase. After using a spike strip to stop the car, just north of Victorville, Calif., police said Brooks tried to choke and beat a police dog deployed to help subdue him when he did not respond to officers’ commands. Police eventually said they had to use a Taser to take him into custody.

If convicted, Brooks could face more than five years in prison. He is being detained in the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

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