WASHINGTON — After facing years of criticism, the passage of Noah’s Law in 2016 was supposed to show that Maryland lawmakers took drunken driving seriously and were willing to impose stronger sentences.
But now advocates are growing frustrated that the law may not be having the impact it was supposed to thanks to a loophole that allows some people to walk out of court with minimal sentences.
When Gov. Larry Hogan signed The Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016, or Noah’s Law, it was widely thought anyone caught driving under the influence would have to get an ignition interlock put on their car, even on the first offense, just like several other states have implemented.
The devices, which come with Noah’s picture on them in Maryland, require you to pass a breathalyzer before you start your car and subsequently again at random times as you drive.
But a key phrase in the way the law was written left open a big loophole.
“The law initially had in it that it was upon arrest that a person would get an interlock,” said Rich Leotta, the father of Montgomery County Police Officer Noah Leotta, whose death at the hands of a drunken driver inspired the law.
“At the last minute, the last half-hour, what people didn’t know is they changed that so it was upon conviction.”..
Really, why are you so surprised? This is what you vote for when you keep re-electing these people.
ReplyDeleteAre you on the ballot?
DeleteThe legal artful dodgers
ReplyDeleteAnd the loophole masters
Insert last minute phrases
Earning the culprits' praises.
I couldn't help but notice that on the credits line you list our constitutional scholars.
ReplyDeleteHere is another weasel word legislative masterpiece:
ReplyDelete"And a bill targeting repeat sexual offenders allows courts to admit evidence of a defendant’s history of sexual crimes or abuse during prosecution for sexual offenses, under certain circumstances."