San Diego DUI lawyer / DWI attorney / drunk driving criminal defense lawyer news

West Virginia law prsently requires only repeat DUI / drunk driving offenders to install "Interlock technology", but first time DUI offenders may soon have to face the penalty as well.

"It's basically a breath testing device that's wired into the car's ignition system. Every time the person gets in they have to blow in the instrument and it detects whether they have alcohol on their breath, and if they do have it on their breath, the car would not start and run," says Chief T.R. Smith of the Wood County Sheriff's Department.

The new bill would require first time DUI offenders who blow a .15 or over to install the system, a device that Chief Smith says might not be stopping as many drunk drivers as you think.

"For a first offense it's a little extreme. From what I understand, it's pricey, it can be defeated, and I don't think it's a deterrent for someone that's determined to drive," says Chief Smith.

Instead of requiring the Interlock system for DUI first time offenders, he believes there's a better punishment.

"Second offense, third offense, I can see that, but for first time offense DUI the person should get a provisional drivers license, so he can continue to drive to work," says Chief Smith.

Whether DUI offenders deserve a stricter penalty or not, Chief Smith says over 200 people got DUI's last year in Wood County alone and about one third of them blew over .15. So, for people looking to drive after they've had a few drinks, Chief Smith says you may want to think twice.