Mississippi's Republican state House Speaker pleads 'no contest' to drunk driving — but won't be convicted

The pro tempore speaker of the Mississippi state House of Representatives pleaded "no contest" to driving under the influence of alcohol — but won't be convicted for the crime.

Jackson's WJTV reported that Republican state Rep. Greg Snowden "agreed to a non-adjudication agreement" for first-time offenders that will require him to pay a nearly $1,000 fine and drive with a device that measures his body's alcohol content once his 120-day license suspension is finished.

The Associated Press reported that the Meridian, Mississippi Republican was arrested in September when he rear-ended another car.

Snowden claimed at the time that he was not drunk, but was instead looking at coverage of the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court hearings on his phone.

Meridian Police Chief Benny Dubose, however, said the pro tem state House Speaker failed a field sobriety test and that officers smelled alcohol on his breath. Snowden then refused to take a DUI test at the police station.