Crime & Public Safety
Lincoln County commissioner charged with DUI after state patrol arrest in Sutherland
Lincoln County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Christopher Bruns has been charged with a Class W misdemeanor for driving under the influence following an arrest outside a Sutherland restaurant, according to court filings. The arrest by the Nebraska State Patrol occurred on Aug. 21; the charge is the allegation currently before Lincoln County Court.
Court records show Bruns, 41, waived his arraignment and entered a not guilty plea through defense counsel on Sept. 30. He also filed a formal demand for a jury trial that same day. A journal entry by the presiding judge excused Bruns from appearing at a scheduled hearing and ordered his bond continued after an initial register entry noted a failure to appear.
Local officials recused themselves from the matter; Judge Joel Jay has been assigned as special judge and Keith County Attorney Randy Fair is serving as special prosecutor. Those outside assignments and the continued bond are documented steps taken by the court and authorities handling the case.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 13 in Lincoln County Courtroom 2, per the court docket referenced in filings. At this stage the charge is an allegation in court records; no conviction or adjudication is reported in the available documents.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.