Quick lesson on ignition interlocks

I had one of the ignition interlock installers walk me through the interlock process and we used it as a teachable moment. You may get a laugh or two out of this video on a Friiday afternoon. The bottom line, a lot of myths exist about these devices, but they are myths.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaDc9i3Y8n0&feature=youtu.be

Transdermal monitoring bill passes

A bill that specifically authorizes the use or transdermal monitoring for parole, probation and pre-trial diversion has passed both Houses of the General Assembly and has been sent to the Governor. The effective date is July 1, 2014.
Transdermal monoitoring is an effective means of determining whether a person consumes alcohol. It currently is available as a monitoring tool for persons on bond. They are used quite a bit in some jurisdictions. They are used for multiple DUI offenders as well as those accused of domestic violence when alcohol is involved.

The bill SB 1962 is summarized on the General Assembly website:

This bill authorizes the use of transdermal monitoring device or other alternative monitoring device as a term or condition of pretrial diversion, parole, probation or DUI probation if, in the opinion of the district attorney general, parole board, or court, as appropriate, the defendant's use of alcohol or drugs was a contributing factor in the defendant's unlawful conduct. This bill will apply to individuals entering for one of the above programs on or after July 1, 2014.

This bill defines "transdermal monitoring device" as any device or instrument that is attached to the person, designed to automatically test the alcohol or drug content in a person by contact with the person's skin at least once per one-half hour regardless of the person's location, and which detects the presence of alcohol or drugs and tampering, obstructing, or removing the device. 

Legislative Activity

The bills concerning DUI issues were delayed another week. One bill effecting traffic safety passed in the committee and moves forward. It is SB 1783 which would change the penalty for evading arrest to a Class C felony, if a person is injured during the evasion by a motor vehicle.

Legislative Activity

The Senate Judiciary Committee will be considering the Electronic Search Warrant proposal and the Recidivist Reduction Act this week. It should be an interesting week!

Bond revocation hearing from Harrell

The driver is charged with killing while driving under the influence. He is given a bond and trusted to stay out of trouble pending his trial.
He gets another DUI. That's big trouble for a guy with a pending vehicular homicide. What happens? Read about it in the Tennessean at:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20140228/NEWS03/302280136

No Valentine for you

Last night, February 13th, Valentine's Day Eve, three persons were arrested* for 4th offense DUI and one for third offense DUI in Nashville. Those arrested were: Bernabe Jarquin-Canseco (38); Janice Glover (41) ; and Michael Murray (56) for 4th offenses and Barbara Moore (31) for 3rd offense.

Studies show that each prior DUI conviction increases an offender’s recidivism rate by 10 per cent per year.

Let's hope these four people do what they need to do to stop this ridiculous and dangerous behaviour!


*Suspects are presumed innocent unless found guilty.

20 years for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide in Greeneville

 Lorazepam, Clonazepam, Dihydrocodeine and alcohol were in they system of a 7 time DUI offender when he crashed and killed his passenger in July of 2012. He has now been convicted and sentenced to 20 years.
The criminal, Marcus Strong, had previously been convicted of six DUI offenses and had been declared an habitual motor vehicle offender. While in jail he conspired to get drugs into the jail. Three jailers were fired or resigned after the drugs were discovered. His parents were charged and have pending cases.
Read more at:
http://www.greenevillesun.com/Local_News/article/Marcus-Strong-Sentenced-To-20-Years-After-Killing-Passenger-In-2012-Wreck-id-327279