Bill that Seeks to Increase DUI Look Back Period Heads to Senate

Kentucky, like every other state, has suffered a fair share of deaths due to drunk driving. Among the people to have lost their life to drunk drivers include Lexington attorney Mark Hinkel and teenager Brianna Taylor from Elizabethtown. Both these were among the cases brought to light in a House debate as lawmakers look to crack down on habitual drunk drivers with the introduction of a bill that would increase the ‘look back’ period on prior DUI offenses, say drunk driving accident lawyers in Lexington, KY.

According to a Kentucky.com report, the state House finally approved an amended version of Senate Bill 56 in a 98-0 vote. The objective of the bill is to increase the current ‘look back period’ from 5 to 10 years. As per Kentucky drunk driving accident attorneys, drivers who have been convicted for drunk driving for the fourth time within a span of five years is currently charged with a felony.

However, the look back period of 10 years will bring many more drunk drivers into the net and liable to be charged with a felony drunk driving charge while victims can go ahead and file a claim for compensation following the DUI accident.

The bill was named after 17 year old Brianna Taylor who was killed by a drunk driver, Michael Hilton, who was found guilty of vehicular homicide and was sentenced to life in prison. Democrat Sen. Dennis Parrett representing Elizabethtown, who sponsored the bill, said that Hilton unfortunately was not able to be charged with a felony even despite being charged with a DUI for the sixth time since his drunk driving conviction occurred more than 5 years before the fatal accident.

Therefore, the fatal drunk driving accident was considered his first under state law, according to Kentucky drunk driving accident lawyers. After the vote, Taylor’s family was given a standing ovation by House members. 

SB 56 was handled by Rep. Kelly Flood (D-Lexington) who said that Odilon Paz-Salvador, the drunk driver who struck late attorney Mark Hinkel us awaiting trial in Scott County. Unfortunately, five of his eight prior drunk driving convictions occurred over five years ago. Why not go back 20 years? Why only 10?

The only lawmaker to raise concerns about SB 56 was Rep. Johnny Bell (D-Glasgow), who was the opinion that the increase in the look back period was not in line with the idea of redemption. Not all Democrats care that much about punishing criminals. America sees that every day.  

He refrained from voting since he doubted that the 10 year look back period would change anything on the ground. The bill will now head back to the Senate since several corrections were made to it. Lexington, KY drunk driving accident lawyers are optimistic that the bill will soon become law.

It does not take too long to obtain a drunk driving charge but it does not take too long to find legal help either. Use this website Drunk-Driving-Accident.USAttorneys to make your life much better. This website saves lives – it can help someone on the wrong side of the law but people who are victims too. This website is a switch hitter and never closes for business. If someone has wronged you, it is time to attack them in a legal and lasting manner.

Former Central Kentucky Officer Faces DUI Charge

Meanwhile, wlky.com reports that Ryan Hundley, a former Danville officer was charged with drunk driving, assault, and wanton endangerment while off duty. Charges were levied against Hundley after he caused a DUI accident and collided with a pickup truck in Boyle County last month. Both vehicles were significantly damaged while the three people involved sustained minor injuries. Hundley apparently admitted to investigating officers that he was drinking with a friend before he chose to drive.

Like Hundley, if you are pulled over and arrested for a DUI, you could potentially end up serving jail time. A first drunk driving conviction attracts between 2 and 30 days in jail along with a fine of $200 to $500, community service, and license suspension for 30 to 120 days. The penalties and punishment increases with every drunk driving charge and with an extended look back period, being charged with a felony will only make matters worse. Therefore, the wisest thing to do is consult with a fantastic and judicious Kentucky drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible.