Senator Larry Craig Seeks to Withdraw His Guilty Plea

On August 1, 2007 Senator Craig signed a guilty plea admitting “disorderly conduct”.

On September 1, 2007 Senator Craig announced his intention to resign from the U.S. Senate.

During this last week Craig has received advice and counsel from Senate Judiciary Committee Member Senator Arlen Spector suggesting that Craig withdraw his guilty plea and fight the case.

Craig’s representatives have now announced that Craig may choose to fight the case in the Minnesota Courts, to vigorously defend himself in a Senate Ethics Committee Hearing, and to clear his name so that he can run again for the Senate. To this end he has hired well known Washington DC lawyer Billy Martin, (yes, Michael Vick’s lawyer).

Fat chance he will be able to withdraw his guilty plea. If a member of the U.S. Senate does not understand what it means to plead guilty and waive his constitutional rights, then how can we expect any guilty plea in the country in any court to withstand a request for withdrawal?

If somehow, Craig’s plea gets withdrawn, the initial charges of soliciting sex would be reinstated and litigation would be an embarrassing mess not only for Craig but also for the Republican Party.