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Washington state bill proposes branding of license plates of drunk drivers

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this local story, a state legislator in Washington is proposing a vehicular scarlet letter for drunk drivers.  Here are the details: Representative Norma Smith of Clinton wants to require drivers convicted of DUI after 2012 to have a special license plate designated with the letter Z.  "It provides a tool for law enforcement? just to be aware that the car is registered to someone with a dui conviction and to provide a little extra scrutiny,? says Smith. She believes the plates would also serve as an incentive to avoid repeat offenses.  Several states like Minnesota have a similar law in place, calling them ?whiskey plates.? But defense attorneys say the bill is a scarlet letter, putting unfair scrutiny for the majority of first time offenders never offend again...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on February 15, 2011 (boomark / email).