« Courts - "Does the punishment fit the crime for child porn?" [Updated] | Main | Law - More on "Financial Decisions to Make as You Divorce" »

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Ind. Courts - More on "Tippecanoe County superior court judge Michael Morrissey is one of the few Indiana judges who uses ignition interlocks"

This May 14, 2008 ILB entry is quoting from a report from May 13, 2008 by Bob Segal of Indianapolis Eyewitness News 13:

Tippecanoe County superior court judge Michael Morrissey is one of the few Indiana judges who uses ignition interlocks. He's ordered them for hundreds of drunk drivers since 2005, and he says in more than 99% of those cases, the offenders did not drive drunk again.

"I like our numbers," Morrissey said. "If you're decreasing re-offense rates, you're protecting the public." * * *

Indiana law allows judges to order the installation an ignition interlock, but they are not mandated to do so. Judges in other states do not have a choice. Six states have legislation that requires ignition interlock devices for every case of drunk driving. Twenty other states mandate ignition interlock for some alcohol-related driving offenses.

The News 13 report, which contains much more information, is still available, here.

This Nov. 16, 2007 ILB entry, quoting from a story from that day in the Terre Haute Tribune Star, includes:

Earls was given the option of attending an intensive recovery program in Atlanta, Ga., which costs $14,000 a month to attend, according to Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts. If he is unable to attend the program, an ignition interlock device will be installed on his vehicle for 180 days after the completion of his 90-day license suspension program, the plea agreement stated.
Today the Lafayette Journal Courier has a story headed "Driver pleads guilty in crash that killed Harrison student," reported by Sophia Voravang. Some quotes:
A Texas man faces between six and 20 years in prison for driving drunk and causing a two-vehicle crash that killed a Harrison High School student.

Joseph L. Welch, 30, pleaded guilty Friday in Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 to operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or more, causing death.

The Nov. 23, 2008, crash occurred when Welch allegedly ran two red traffic lights on U.S. 52 near Morehouse Road -- striking a vehicle driven by Katherine Ann "Kate" Baker, 16.

Family members and friends of the Harrison junior filled the gallery Friday in Superior Court 2. * * *

The crash had prompted the teenager's friends and classmates to push for Indiana legislators to mandate ignition interlock devices in vehicles for repeat impaired drivers and drivers arrested with high blood-alcohol contents.

Ignition interlocks requires users to blow into an installed device. Vehicles will not start if the driver's alcohol content is more than a low, predetermined setting.

The bill, however, died during the General Assembly's spring session.

Welch has a 2007 misdemeanor conviction for impaired driving in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Actually, there were four bills involving ignition interlocks introduced in the 2009 session: SB 274, SB 542, HB 1020, and HB 1065. All died in first house committee, except for HB 1020, which passed the House and died in Senate committee.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 21, 2009 12:40 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts | Indiana Law