“Currently, under Leandra’s law, anyone convicted of a DWI is supposed to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle they own and operate,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “However, some individuals have found ways around this by driving vehicles they do not own. Thankfully, today, this loophole has been closed.”
This new law now requires those convicted of drunk driving to state in court and under oath that they no longer own a car and will face perjury and other criminal charges if they are found to be lying. It also creates a Class E felony charge for convicted DWI offenders who drive drunk again while holding conditional licenses (Ch. 169 of 2013).
The ignition interlock device prevents a car from starting if it detects that the driver has ingested alcohol. This restriction is recorded on the driver’s DMV record, and it is deemed a criminal offense to drive without the mandatory interlock, Hennessey noted.
“By strengthening Leandra’s Law, we are sending a clear message to all drivers that drunk driving will not be tolerated,” Assemblyman Hennessey concluded.