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Newmarket Rep claims state’s Constitution grants her immunity from speeding tickets

Newmarket Rep claims state’s Constitution grants her immunity from speeding tickets

California Highway Patrol officer Duane Graham stops a motorist who was suspected of speeding along Interstate 405 freeway, Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Westminster, Calif. The CHP is issuing a lot more tickets to motorists where lanes are wide open during the coronavirus pandemic. From March 19, when the stay-at-home order began, through April 19, officers issued 87% more citations to drivers suspected of speeding in excess of 100 mph. That's compared to the same period last year. The jump in speeding tickets coincides with a 35% decline in traffic volume. Photo: Associated Press/AP Photo/Chris Carlson


MANCHESTER, N.H- A state representative claims police didn’t have the authority to cite her for speeding because New Hampshire’s constitution says lawmakers headed to or from the Legislature cannot be arrested after police say she was caught driving over a 100 mph on I-93 on two separate occasions.

Five term State Rep. Ellen Read, D-Newmarket made first made the claim on December 2, after being clocked for going 107mph in a 65-mph zone in Windham as she was leaving the capital and headed to her place of employment in Woburn Massachusetts.

According to Police Read was stopped again on June 5,2025 by a different member of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s deputy who said she was doing 92 mph in a 65-mph zone while headed south in Londonderry.

Out of the first incident Read was charged with negligent driving and was ordered to pay a fine of more than $1,200 and then charged with speeding for the second incident but police let her go without placing her under arrest.

According to her lawyer Read is due in court on August 12, 2026, to discuss the possibility of a deferred punishment instead of a second ticket.

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