News

DUI and DWI

• Louisiana May Toughen DWI Restrictions
  Apr 20, 2010

  
  A Louisiana House Bill may toughen DWI restrictions by requiring a notation on the licenses of drivers who, as part of their DWI sentence, must use interlock devices before driving.
  
  
  - 11 - 20

• DWI for Fairfax County Woman After Collision with Police Car
  Apr 17, 2010

  
  The Washington Times reported that a 49 year-old woman from Burke, in Fairfax County, Virginia, was charged with DWI after a collision with a police car that was responding to an emergency call.  The woman allegedly turned onto Rolling Road, into the police car's path, even though the police vehicle had its sirens and emergency lights on.  Both drivers had serious injuries. - 12 - 20

• DWI Crash Kills Two Young Children
  Apr 11, 2010

  
  A tragic DWI accident in Texas claimed the life of two young sisters, ages 4 and 2, and critically injured four adults.  Around 12:30 AM yesterday, a pick-up truck crashed into the sedan the girls were riding in, throwing the 4 year-old from the vehicle and killing the 2 year-old whose car seat was reportedly not correctly secured.  The drivers of both vehicles were suspected of DUI and face charges.   - 13 - 20

• DWI Officers Paid Millions in Overtime
  Apr 11, 2010

  
  Several Albuquerque DWI Police Officers earn six figures in OT pay. Now a policy is being enforced that requires officers to see their DUI cases through to the end, instead of handing off to DWI team.  Supporters claim millions of taxpayer dollars are being saved.  Opponents say public safety is at risk.
  
  Read more about Albuquerque's policy enforcement. - 14 - 20

• AZ DWI Policy - Will it Save Money or Risk Public Safety?
  Mar 27, 2010

  
  Albuquerque is enforcing a policy requiring the arresting officer in a DWI case to personally complete the suspect's booking process.  The officers usually would pass the suspect over to the DWI unit, but, in an effort to save money, are no longer allowed to do this.  
  
  This is supposed to save money by having only one police officer involved with the arrest, and, therefore, requiring only one officer to be in court for that case, instead of at least two.
  
  Critics argue that public safety is at risk, since arresting officers will be spending more time booking suspects and less time on the streets.
  
  Please read more about Albuquerque DWI officers' overtime pay.  - 15 - 20

• The Tweeting Breathalyzer
  Mar 26, 2010

  
  Social Experiment or a new tool for Big Brother?

  Danny Newman was given a breathalyzer machine and put it to good use.  He recently attended a festival in Texas selling mouthpieces for his machine for $5.  Customers use the breathalyzer to find out their blood alcohol level, and Newman posts results on Twitter.  The four-day festival is pedestrian-friendly, so those who buy the mouthpiece (and hold onto it) can check their BAC anytime they come across Newman.  You can click here for Newman's website.

  - 16 - 20

• Wisconsin Woman Again Calls 911 and Is Arrested
  Mar 08, 2010

  
  Remember that Wisconsin woman who was arrested for DWI last October after she called cops on her way home from a bar to report herself as a drunk driver?  Well, she's done it again, kind of.  In February, according to the Wausau Daily Herald, that same woman called 911 after returning home from a bar, requesting police come to her home.  That call resulted in her arrest for misdemeanor disorderly conduct as a domestic abuse incident.
  
  Please click here to read about her October incident.  - 17 - 20

• Probation for Drunk Driver of Motorized Recliner
  Mar 07, 2010

  
  The 62 year-old Minnesota man who "drove" his motorized recliner home from a bar pled guilty to DWI and was sentenced to 180 days of probation.   - 18 - 20

• Daughter of US Supreme Court Justice Gets Only Probation for DUI
  Mar 07, 2010

  
  The daughter of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia pled guilty to a DUI charge in Illinois.  She didn't get any jail time, only 18 months of probation, 140 hours of community service, and was ordered to get counseling. - 19 - 20

• Man Drives Drunk with Children in Car
  Feb 27, 2010

  
  A New York man was charged with felony DWI after he was stopped in January.  His 12 and 14 year-old daughters were in the car with him, and, under Leandra's Law, that makes the DWI an automatic felony.   - 20 - 20