Michigan House Passes Drunk Driving Bill
Earlier this week, the Michigan House approved a bill that would allow one-time drunken drivers to ask a judge to wipe their record clean. If the drunk driving violation injured or killed someone they would not be eligible. The measure now heads to the Senate.
According to Fox 2, in the previous legislative session, the Senate passed the legislation 32-5 and the House 96-8, but Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer without comment let it die by not signing it, even after signing a slew of " clean slate " legislation to create simple avenues for expungement of other convictions.
Not everybody believes in second chances but even after her father was killed by a drunk driver, Democrat Rep. Tenisha Yancey is now a believer.
Democrat Rep. Tenisha Yancey:
This bill does not permit those who have caused serious injury or impairment to be eligible for an expungement. They are not criminals. They are our neighbors, our loved ones, our family members, our friends and our colleagues. Let us continue our support of the criminal justice reform that we have started in giving those who have accepted responsibility for their actions, a second chance.
This is all about second chances and helping those convicted of drunk driving rebuild their lives.
Gilda Z. Jacobs, CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy:
A one-time mistake will no longer hinder these folks' future earnings, stability and well-being, and the legislation still includes safeguards to address more serious or habitual offenses. Policymakers have been working hard to make sure the state's punishments are commensurate with the offenses, and this is another effort to cease creating perpetual harm based on a one-time lapse in judgment.