Too many DWI bills confuse legislators

2005-07-11

Carraro's bill, which passed the Senate Public Affairs committee Thursday, is one of those 22 bills that modify the same section of New Mexico law (Roth said it is SEction 66-8-102). The bill, which makes DWI felony subject to New Mexico's standing "habitual offender" rules, passed but was mostly divided along party lines.
Four democrats voted against the bill, saying instead the legislature should focus on treatment and other DWI remedies, while four Republicans were in favor of the bill. Sen. John Pinto, a Democrat from Tohatchi, voted with the Republicans.
The bill will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will need a "pass" vote before being sent to the Senate.
Roth said it is not yet clear which bills will conflict or contradict which others. With 43 bills (and counting), it will take a while to work out, he said.
"Hopefully before they get sent to the governor, they'll get narrowed down," he said.Many of the bills differ only slightly: One makes a third DWI a fourth-degree felony while another makes a sixth DWI conviction a third-degree felony requiring three years in jail. Carraro's bill, which passed committee, would make a habitual felony offender subject to up to many years in prison. Under his law, someone with eight DWIs would get eight years in prison.
Right now, the longest prison sentence is 18 months for a fourth-degree felony. Fourth and subsequent DWIs are fourth-degree felonies.
Discussion in the Senate Public Affairs of Carraro's bill was passionate and sometimes tearful, as families who have had loved ones killed by drunk drivers spoke. Paul Cravens, whose wife and three daughters were killed by Thoreau substance abuse counselor Gordon House 10 years ago, spoke in favor of the harsher penalties.
Karl Gillson, District Attorney for McKinley County, also spoke Thursday in favor of harsher penalties for DWI offenders.
excerpts from The Gallup Independent, Article by Kristen Davenport