Title
Resolution supporting passage of Wisconsin State Legislature 2019 Assembly Bill 18 relating to penalties for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, including making the first offense a criminal offense.
Body
WHEREAS, 2019 Assembly Bill 18 was introduced by State Representative Jim Ott and State Senator Alberta Darling with the intention of stopping operating while intoxicated; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin is the only state in which first offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) is not a criminal offense; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that alcohol remains the single greatest contributing cause of fatal crashes; and
WHEREAS, a first offense OWI is currently treated as a civil forfeiture, unless there was a minor passenger under the age of 16 at the time of the offense, in which case the first offense is treated as a criminal misdemeanor; and
WHEREAS, 2019 Assembly Bill 18 makes all first offense OWI convictions a class C misdemeanor with a potential fine of up to $500, jail time up to 30 days, or both; and
WHEREAS, under 2019 Assembly Bill 18, similar to provisions included in 2019 Assembly Bill 15, eliminates the current ten year look-back and second offense OWI will be a criminal misdemeanor regardless of when it took place; and
WHEREAS, under 2019 Assembly Bill 18 a person convicted of a first offense OWI who does not commit any other OWI related offenses within a five year period after the conviction, may petition the court to vacate the criminal conviction and amend the record to a civil violation; and
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of West Allis supports the passage of 2019 Assembly Bill 18 relating to penalties for offenses related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council of West Allis requests the Wisconsin State Legislature to strengthen drunk driving laws, while offering a second chance to those who do not reoffend within five...
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