The arrest of state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th, on Monday on forgery and perjury charges has given her constituents, including her strongest supporters, cause to wonder how such a talented lawmaker could — even if she’s not ultimately convicted — end up in the predicament that currently envelops her.

On the surface, the latest charges depict a person desperate to ensure a finding of innocence in the retrial she faces in connection with her alleged use of her legislative staff and resources to do campaign work while on state time. Her initial criminal trial on those charges ended in a mistrial in March after documents alleged to have been forged were introduced in court.

Now, in a new 58-page affidavit of probable cause, Orie herself is accused of being the person directly responsible for the doctored evidence.

If that’s so, those who have had faith and confidence in her ability to serve them well in Harrisburg are justified in wondering how a lawmaker who has garnered such consistently strong support could allow herself to be a party to such arrogant and stupid conduct.

Over the past several years, much arrogance, stupidity and unwarranted sense of entitlement on the part of lawmakers have been exposed, especially through now-Gov. Tom Corbett’s Bonusgate investigation during his service as state attorney general. That probe and the fallout from it continues.

But it’s safe to say that most of those who have consistently trusted Orie’s judgment on state service and legislation affecting their lives now find themselves taken aback, especially now that additional charges have been filed against her.

It’s troubling to think that one’s state senator could consider herself so above the law, but that’s the scenario that is depicted by the morass in which Orie is entangled.

Even if she ultimately is exonerated, it’s unlikely that she’ll ever command the deep respect that she enjoyed in the years preceding her current troubles.

In the new counts, the Allegheny County district attorney’s office alleges that even after she was under investigation and charged with misusing her legislative staff and resources, Orie continued to misuse the staff.

Among the various new allegations is that Orie used her office workers in Harrisburg to scan thousands of pages of documents into the computer to be used by the senator and her lawyers to defend her case.

However, the most serious charges in the new complaint stem from testimony provided by Orie during her trial about the existence of a separate campaign office.

Regarding that testimony, Orie now is charged with five counts of felony perjury.

That testimony had nothing to do with the doctored evidence that produced the mistrial.

The alleged forgery involved the copying and pasting of the signature of the senator’s chief of staff, Jamie Pavlot, on a document that became defense exhibit No. 110 at the trial.

That the document was forged allegedly has been confirmed by a review by the U.S. Secret Service.

Some people, including Jim Burn, chairman of the state and Allegheny County Democratic parties, believe Orie should resign. He made the valid point that it’s tough to fathom “how she can effectively represent her constituents” with having to spend so much time working on her defense.

No doubt Orie should weigh that option but, on the other hand, she has the right to try to prove her innocence while continuing to serve.

In the opinion of some people, a resignation at this point would seem tantamount to an admission of guilt.

Nevertheless, it is reasonable to ponder whether the seniority that the 40th District enjoys in Harrisburg can be as effective as in the past, considering the dark cloud hovering over Orie.

“She was crying; she was shocked,” said Jack Orie, the senator’s brother, describing Jane Orie’s reaction to her newest difficulties.

Her constitutents probably didn’t shed tears on her behalf, but most understandably were shocked by the new charges.

The initial charges and the evidence upon which they were built posed a formidable challenge for the senator. The new charges greatly increase the scope of what she faces.

Regardless of the outcome of the charges, the fact is that all of her legal troubles could have been avoided if Orie simply had operated her office in a way that provided no grounds for suspicion or allegations of any kind.

Even if she’s proven innocent, that will be judged as her terrible mistake.