State Rep. Jim Marleau has introduced legislation to include all drunken driving incidents that occurred in the United States when prosecuting a Michigan drunk driver.
‘Any loophole in the law that protects repeat drunk drivers is obviously very dangerous,? said Marleau (R-Lake Orion). ‘Michigan will not be known as a safe harbor for drunk drivers, and there will be strict punishment for those who come here and endanger Michigan roads and Michigan citizens.?
Under current state law, prior convictions under a local ordinance in another state or a federal prosecution for drunk driving cannot be used as a prior to increase punishment if a person is prosecuted for drunk driving in Michigan.
Only prior drunk driving convictions under the state jurisdiction and Michigan convictions can now be used to increase the punishment for repeat offenders.
Marleau said less than 10-percent of the nation’s police force are state troopers.
‘Unfortunately, the lack of state troopers has led to a great number of alcohol-related incidents unaccounted for, yet these habitual offenders must be identified and dealt with appropriately,? he said.
Marleau added that House Bill 5160 has strong bipartisan support, with 50 members of the Legislature, both Republican and Democrat, cosponsoring the legislation.
It is also supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Michigan Prosecutors? Association.