
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 24, 1991                   TAG: 9103240066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Medium

DELEGATE SNAGGED WITH DETECTOR IN CAR

A legislator who has fought unsuccessfully in the General Assembly to legalize radar detectors was ticketed for having one in his car.

Del. William Robinson, D-Norfolk, was stopped Tuesday while driving his car with General Assembly license plates. He told the officer he was "exempt from just about everything" because state law protects legislators from arrest before, during and after legislative sessions.

A police video camera filmed the incident.

Asked by the officer whether he knew radar detectors were illegal in Virginia, a law Robinson has fought in the legislature, the delegate said he knew, "But it's one of those things." The detectors have been illegal in Virginia since 1962.

Robinson told The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star on Friday that he was unaware he was being videotaped. "He didn't tell me I was on `Candid Camera,' " Robinson said.

The 13 1/2-minute videotape was shot from Traffic Officer Michael Borkowski's car. It shows the officer following Robinson's Mercedes several blocks.

Borkowski's action came after an electronic device in his car - a radar-detector detector - sounded an alarm showing there was a radar detector in the Mercedes.

The tape shows the officer pulled up behind Robinson's car as the delegate prepared to deposit money at a bank.

Borkowski asked Robinson whether the legislature was in session and Robinson answered "Yes." The General Assembly session ended Feb. 24. A special sessions begins April 1.

Robinson added that state law exempted him from almost everything from 30 days before to 30 days after legislators adjourn.

Article 4, Section 9 of the Virginia Constitution provides immunity for legislators during sessions except in cases of "treason, felony or breach of the peace." It also protects them from "arrest under any civil process" for 15 days before and after sessions.

Tuesday's incident occurred 13 days before the next session.

Robinson said Friday he would fight the ticket, which carries a $100 maximum fine. He is scheduled to appear in Traffic Court on April 25.

by CNB