We’ve all tried to sweet talk our way out of a speeding ticket or five, but imagine being “constitutionally protected” from getting one.

Legislators in Washington state get that privilege, but only for speeding, or “noncriminal” citations, according to a report from King 5 News.

You see, lawmakers can’t be detained for speeding in the state because that might make them late to the Capitol where they are needed to vote.

Don’t laugh, this is serious.

Washington State Police spokesman Bob Calkins told the paper, “Washington lawmakers are constitutionally protected from receiving noncriminal traffic tickets during a legislative session, as well as 15 days before.”

Calkins explained the rather interesting “tradition” of why lawmakers are constitutionally protected from tickets:

There were European despots who our framers could see trumping up charges against political rivals, and having them arrested on the way to Parliament so they wouldn’t be there to vote. So they put really in the fine print of the constitution this prohibition on impeding legislators on their way to session.

Huh, who knew?

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Janeen Capizola

"And though she be but little, she is fierce." And fun! This conservative-minded political junkie, mom of three, dancer and one-time NFL cheerleader holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science. [email protected]. Twitter: @JaneenBPR

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