California state senator Sabrina Cervantes has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Sacramento stemming from a DUI citation in May 2025. The lawsuit alleges a “deliberate and unlawful campaign to falsely accuse, arrest, and discredit her.”
On May 19, 2025, Cervantes was involved in a car accident at 14th and S streets. At that time, Sacramento police said Cervantes had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Following up on the crash investigation, police visited Cervantes at the hospital, where investigators said she displayed signs of intoxication and cited her for suspected DUI.
Authorities clarified that she was not cited for alcohol-related impairment but for suspected drug use.
A few weeks after the crash, blood results taken from Cervantes at the hospital tested negative for any trace amount of drugs or alcohol, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, which declined to file any charges against the lawmaker.
Cervantes’ attorneys allege police officers fabricated evidence, misled a judge to obtain a blood warrant and later submitted false evidence to the Department of Motor Vehicles to justify their actions.
“This case is about the abuse of power,” said James Quadra, counsel for Senator Cervantes in a statement. “Officers ignored the facts, fabricated evidence, and tried to turn a victim into a criminal. Defendants’ conduct violated the law and they must be held accountable.”
In September, Cervantes filed a government claim against Sacramento, which was rejected, leading to the lawsuit, her attorneys said.
Sacramento officials told ABC10 that the city is unable to comment on pending litigation.
ABC10 has reached out to the Sacramento Police Department for comment.
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