NASHVILLE — Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett has entered a “best interest plea” to a charge of drunk driving in the case involving his arrest in June after leaving the Bonnaroo Music & Arts festival in Coffee County.
Also known as an Alford plea, a best interest plea is one by which the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges a prosecutor’s case would likely result in a guilty verdict.
Hargett, who does not plan to resign, offered the plea Monday and has already served his 48 hours in jail.
“My counsel believes I had a strong case to argue before the court, and I have been surprised by some events and actions during this experience,” Hargett said in a statement. “However, my desire is to accept responsibility for my actions and move forward and to focus on how God can use me to make something positive from this difficult time.
“It is wrong to drive any vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and rest assured this is a mistake I will never make again,” he added.