A bill that would have required ignition interlock devices to be installed by all first-time DUI offenders in the state of Ohio has been opposed by judges who claim that the bill would hinder a person's ability to use his discretion.
According to the Ohio Judicial Conference, judges must be given the ultimate authority to determine penalties for first-time drunk driving offenders. In that state, the ignition interlock devices are often prescribed for repeat DUI offenders, but not mandated. Persons, who are convicted of repeat offenses, can be mandated to get an ignition interlock device installed in all of their vehicles. According to the judges, in most cases, drunk driving offenders do not repeat offenses, and therefore, there is no such need for remedial measures like the installation of ignition interlock devices. They believe that these measures are not necessary.
In California, installation of an ignition interlock device is often mandated in the case of a repeat offense. However, a pilot program that is currently in place in four counties requires even first time DUI offenders to get ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles. These persons must get interlock devices installed even if it is the very first time that they have been convicted of DUI.
In Los Angeles, Tulare, Alameda Sacramento Counties, you must have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle or any vehicle that you currently own or operate. The amount of time that you must have the ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle typically depends on the number of previous DUI convictions you have on your record. In other California counties however, the ignition interlock penalty is left to the discretion of individual judges.
