GOP bill allows expungement for first-time drunken drivers

Site staff by Site Contributor

Republican lawmakers are introducing a bill that would allow some first-time drunken drivers to ask judges to erase their record.

Sen. Andre Jacque and Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt’s proposal would allow first-timers to petition for expungement if they didn’t cause an injury and their blood alcohol content was less than 0.15 percent.

They also would have to drive with an ignition interlock device for six months or wear a device monitoring alcohol consumption for six months. The incident would still count in tallies of subsequent convictions.

The lawmakers began circulating the bill for co-sponsors Monday.

Wisconsin is the only state that treats first-time drunken driving as a civil offense. However, if first-timers’ blood alcohol content is 0.15 percent or higher they must use an ignition interlock device or enter a sobriety program for a year.

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