By KRWG News
Texas – A state lawmaker is proposing that first-time drunken drivers in Texas could be acquitted of the offense if they complete supervision and treatment.
Supporters including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, prosecutors and defense attorneys say the plan could ease court backlogs by getting such cases out of courtrooms. They say it could also improve efforts to track and punish repeat DWI offenders.
If the offense were repeated, it would become grounds to increase future punishments.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that Rep. Todd Smith, R-Euless, filed the proposal that would allow for deferred adjudication.
Deferred adjudication for such offenses was abolished in the state in the mid-1980s. At the time, opponents of deferred adjudication had argued that prosecuting offices and judges were accepting the form of probation for repeat offenders.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.