If the bill becomes law, a first time
offender could get probation and could
keep his driver's license, but only if
he takes a DWI education course,
jail time would be mandatory for two
or more convictions or any conviction
that involves a serious injury.
Drivers licenses will be suspended for
two or more convictions or for refusal
to take a breath test.
And the bill would require counties with
more than twenty five thousand people to
buy videotape equipment to take pictures
of people arrested for DWI.
We asked criminal Judge James Zimmerman
to review a synopsis of the bill.
There's some major changes here,
certainly with respect to some matters
that can be introduced into evidence to
assist the prosecution
in presenting their case.
I think that I'd consider them
significant.
But even if a driver's license is
suspended, the bill would still allow
judges to grant occupational licenses
so people can get to and from work.
Judges are going to have to weigh the
need for that license against
the safety of the public.
If there's a reason to believe that the
person to whom the license would be
issued would would
be a public menace.
Judges here believe the bill will be a
deterrent once it becomes law and judges
and juries begin assessing the tougher
penalties that should happen soon.
The House made some changes in the bill,
but the Senate is expected to agree with
them and the governor is expected to sign
the bill into law.
Karen Parfitt, Channel 5 Action News.