Minnesota DWI presumption of innocence
Here's a novel idea. Let's give people accused of the serious crime of DWI the presumption of innocence.
Bill would presume innocence in drunk driving cases | Park Rapids Enterprise | Park Rapids, Minnesota: "If you are arrested for DWI in Minnesota, your license can be suspended or revoked within days of your arrest, even before you go to court on the actual criminal charges. This civil proceeding, the license revocation, is a separate matter, resulting in a maximum suspension of 90 days if your blood-alcohol content exceeds .08 percent.
The intent is to crack down on drunken drivers immediately and get them off the state’s highways.
A bill currently working its way through the Minnesota House of Representatives seeks to restore due process and a presumption of innocence to drivers arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. It would mandate a conviction on the criminal charges before the driver could lose his or her license. Currently, that process typically begins within seven days of the initial arrest.
The House bill, with a companion Senate bill, stands little chance of passing, opponents and political observers say. County attorneys throughout the state have organized a letter-writing campaign to their legislators. Hubbard County Attorney Don Dearstyne sent out several communications, imploring legislators not to take what he calls a drastic step backward in DWI prosecution."
Like the article says, the bill has little chance of passing. But what an idea. Presume somebody who might actually be innocent is innocent unless proven guilty. In America. Come on, pigs don't fly. Or do they?
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