27-year-old Paige Timmer, the former Assistant Prosecutor for Kalamazoo County, was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to a felony DUI charge against her. Timmer was the cause of a severe drunk driving accident, where both she and another person were harmed, which resulted in a felony charge against her.
At a settlement conference in early August, Timmer accepted a plea deal and pled guilty to a single count of operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. In return, the prosecutor agreed to a much reduced sentence.
While this may seem like a stunning moment of generosity on behalf of the prosecutor’s office, or possibly a case of “conceptual prosecutor nepotism”, the claim is that it’s perfectly normal. According to Van Buren County Prosecutor Michael Bedford, a vastly reduced sentence is actually commonplace for someone who has no criminal history and a squeaky-clean driving record.
The accident that put these proceedings in motion took place on March 14th at about 2:15 on a dark, foggy morning. Timmer, whose accident cost her her position as Assistant Prosecutor of Kalamazoo County, crossed the centerline of West Michigan Avenue in her Toyota Rav4 and sideswiped a 2002 Nissan Sentra driven by 30-year-old Lenia Harris.
Police say that after the collision with Harris’ car, Timmer went on to hit a utility pole, a fire hydrant, and light pole. Due to the quantity and distribution of the debris, it was determined that one or both of the vehicles had been traveling at a high rate of speed.
Both Timmer and Harris were severely injured in the accident, and were transported directly to Bronson Methodist Hospital. Timmer suffered bruising on her face, and an open fracture on her left leg. Harris also sustained a leg injury when the tibia in her left leg was broken and her left ankle was crushed.
A tearful Timmer appeared before Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Pamela L. Lightvoet for sentencing on the felony DUI, and was told she would spend up to two months behind bars. But it will be almost a year before Timmer finds out exactly how long.
Judge Lightvoet deferred Timmer’s sentence on the felony DUI until June 16th, 2016. Prior to that date, she is required to wear an electronic monitoring device for four months. She was also given three years of probation.
On May 6, 2016, Timmer and her attorney are required to meet with Judge Lightvoet and the Van Buren County Prosecutor at a pre- sentencing hearing. At that time, the Judge will determine how Timmer is doing and exactly what her sentence should be.
