Former Supreme Court Candidate Loses Test-Refusal Appeal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals has affirmed the test-refusal conviction of a former Supreme Court candidate who was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

Michelle MacDonald Shimota was arrested in April 2013 after an officer saw her speeding and swerving. She refused to take a breath test and demanded to see a judge.

A jury ultimately convicted her of obstructing justice and refusing a chemical test. Shimota argued on appeal that the officer violated the law by failing to bring her to a judge immediately.

The Appeals Court ruled Tuesday that an officer isn't required to bring an arrestee to a judge before completing chemical tests.

A message left for Shimota wasn't immediately returned.

Shimota ran for Supreme Court justice in 2014 and lost to Justice David Lillehaug.