New drug laws in the state of New York are backfiring on officials. According to a report in the New York Post, drug dealers without a drug addiction are lining up for treatment and prosecutors cannot stop them.
A New York Senator recently introduced two proposals for a Child Passenger Protection Act that would toughen penalties for driving under the influence with children under the age of 16 in the vehicle. First-time offenders would face felony charges, and if convicted, a minimum of 5 days of prison and 30 days of community service. Their driver’s license would be suspended for a minimum of 1 year. They would also increase penalties if the child was injured or killed – a minimum of 5 years in the later case, and a maximum of 25 years. Any driver convicted of a DWI would be required to use an ignition interlock device.
Like most states, New York focuses significantly more of its resources on combating drug abuse and drug addiction than alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction. In terms of criminal law, New York gives some addicts charged with drug crimes the chance to wipe their records clean after substance abuse treatment. However, the very best those charged with DUI can hope for is a reduced charge or sentence. … Continue Reading
By Meghan O’Dell
In April 2009, the draconian Rockefeller Drugs Laws of New York were reformed in an attempt to advance a public health and safety approach to drug policy, which will reduce sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and allow judges to place offenders in drug treatment programs rather than in prison. The legislation will also allow thousands of prisoners jailed for nonviolent drug offenses to have their sentences reduced or commuted.
