Novel DUI / Drunk Driving Sentence May Be Struck

In St. Joseph County, Indiana, a program that allows people arrested for first time DUI / Drunk Driving to avoid a DUI / Drunk Driving conviction by agreeing to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles for six months.

The defendants would first have to plead guilty and successfully complete the novel program.

Upon completion of the program, the defendants would be convicted of reckless driving. However, one of the judges in St. Joseph Superior Court believes the law requires the defendants to install the ignition interlock device for 2 years. The judge has asked other judges of the court to stop accepting defendants into the 6 month program. An ignition interlock device can prevent a vehicle from starting or continued operation if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath.