Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, has pled not guilty to driving under the influence, according to court documents filed Wednesday in South Central District Court in Bismarck.

A May 12 preliminary hearing has been waived and a misdemeanor jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 27.

Louser, 49, had been driving a 2021 Cadillac Escalade when he was pulled over after crossing from Mandan into Bismarck shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, April 16. A North Dakota Highway Patrol officer observed his vehicle weaving partially into neighboring lanes, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Traveling with Louser as a passenger in his vehicle was Katie Winbauer, a University of North Dakota law student who has been participating in a legislative internship program. The trooper allowed Louser to consult privately for legal advice from Winbauer, and after consultation, Louser agreed to a breath test, which was administered at the Burleigh Morton County Detention Center.

The breath test placed Louser’s blood alcohol level at .117. The legal limit is below .08. Louser reported having had three drinks, according to the affidavit.

Through his attorney, Justin Vinje of Bismarck, Louser is requesting all written documents and recordings held by the prosecution that may be used as evidence in the case. Court records show just one previous traffic violation related to vehicle registration, for which he paid a $20 fine in February 2020.

A first DUI offense is a Class B misdemeanor, subject to 30 days in jail and/or a $1,500 fine.

Louser, who served as House assistant majority leader this session, publicly apologized immediately after the April 16 incident and indicated he would seek an evaluation.

“Finally, as I work to rebuild any lost trust, I want to ensure that something like this will never happen again,” he had stated.

District 5 Republican Chairman David Aas said he doesn’t expect the matter to be addressed at the district’s reorganizational meeting May 6.

“There’s been several other instances of similar kinds of stumbles by legislators over the years in this area and statewide. I think we need to have some compassion for Rep. Louser and offer him our prayers that things are going to get better,” Aas said. “I know that he feels really crushed by the events that happened. He’s apologized. He’s expressed his remorse.”