A key Colorado lawmaker behind Democratic efforts to increase gun restrictions in the state has a more extensive criminal record than was previously reported according to court records. Although Rep. Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) has previously claimed that her criminal record of larceny and shoplifting was due to a “dark” and “desperate” time in her life, public records show that her disregard for the state’s laws continued well into her tenure as an elected lawmaker.  State court records reveal multiple offenses committed by Fields that were not previously reported, including at least one while holding public office at the state level.

For example, Fields pleaded guilty to writing bad checks in 1998 when she was charged by the Ft. Collins Police Department. Fields was eventually required to pay fines and court costs of $344. The charge could have landed Fields a jail sentence of up to 30 days.

Fields also demonstrated a willful disregard for state and local traffic laws, racking up infractions in 2011, when she was a sitting lawmaker, in 2009, and in 2007.  In 2011, she was fined $130 for a lane assignment infraction near the intersection of 6th and Lincoln in Denver. She was fined $130 in 2009 for speeding between 15 and 19 miles per hour over the speed limit at the Denver International Airport. In December of 2007, she was fined $190 for speeding between 10 and 14 miles per hour over the speed limit in Denver.

A 1989 careless driving charge in Littleton ended up costing Fields a fine of $576. That case was finally closed in 1996 according to court records.

All told, the fines connected to Fields’ five previously unreported criminal infractions total more than $1,300.

Given that Fields has chosen a high profile role in pushing for new restrictions on gun and ammunition ownership, her past record of ignoring simple traffic laws calls into question her assumption that violent criminals will abide by any new gun restrictions.

Fields has not responded to multiple requests for comment by Media Trackers Colorado.

This story was originally featured at Media Trackers Colorado.