New Mexico Leads in DUI Punishment Again
The New Mexico state senate passed a DUI law imposing stricter penalties on DUI offenders. Other states have followed New Mexico’s lead in DUI legislation for some time now. The latest New Mexico bill requires ignition interlocks for drivers convicted of DUI in other states who move to New Mexico and added additional time in prison for drivers convicted of felony DUI in New Mexico.
In a move of questionable constitutionality, the senate passed a bill, part of Governor Bill Richardson’s anti-DUI package, that requires newcomers to New Mexico who’ve been convicted of DUI in other states to have ignition interlocks for a year. Newcomers with two DUI convictions would be required to have interlocks for two years; three years for those with three convictions; and those with four DUI convictions would have a lifetime interlock requirement.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez questioned the constitutionality of the state of New Mexico imposing penalties for crimes committed outside of the state.