State Legislators Consider Proposals for Tougher DUI Laws

Rhode Island law makers are looking at several different proposals which would result in tougher drunk driving laws and harsher penalties. Bills were recently brought before the Judiciary Committee in an effort to prevent driving under the influence offenses. The push for the tougher laws comes after several recent incidents where parents have been charged with driving under the influence while having their children in the car with them. According to local police reports there were two such arrests over the weekend. One bill proposes DUI with children in the car be increased to a mandatory felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison. Another bill addresses a loophole in the underage DUI laws which currently list the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit at 0.10 for those under the age of 21. While technically underage individuals should not be consuming any alcohol at all and driving, the loophole was created when the 0.08 BAC was instituted for 21 and over drivers a decade ago. Legislators apparently omitted revising the underage DUI laws to reflect the new decreased limit. Additional proposals brought before the committee included mandatory breathalyzer ignition lock systems to be installed in the vehicles of all individuals convicted of a DUI offense. Rhode Island State Police as well as agencies such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) voiced their support and backing for several of the bills. Talk to a criminal defense lawyer to make sure your rights are protected if you have been arrested for an alleged DUI of alcohol or drugs.

Get Tough Defense Representation for Your DUI Charges

A conviction for a driving under the influence charge can result in expensive fines, fees, loss of your driver's license, imprisonment and mandatory enrollment in a substance abuse program. State laws currently base penalties on what the driver's BAC level is (i.e. 0.08 or above but less than 0.10, etc.), previous DUI convictions and other circumstances. The penalties can be significantly increased when the circumstances allegedly involve a controlled substance, injury accidents, fatalities, the presence of children in the car, etc.

There are defenses against DUI charges and an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to fight the charges and get them reduced or dismissed. The team at the Law Offices of Robert H. Humphrey includes former prosecutors and Attorney Humphrey authored Rhode Island's DUI Practice Manual. Contact our firm now to schedule a free consultation.