HB332 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim WadsworthRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Motor vehicles, driving under the influence, provide a 10 year look back for prior convictions, administrative driver license suspensions, Sec. 32-5A-191 am'd.

Summary

HB 332 would extend the DUI lookback to 10 years and require prior DUIs to have counsel representation to count toward enhanced penalties, while expanding ignition interlock requirements and related penalties.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, courts would consider all DUI convictions within a 10-year window for sentencing enhancements and for administrative license suspensions. A prior DUI could only be used for enhancements if the person was represented by counsel or waived counsel in that prior case. The bill also broadens ignition interlock device requirements and imposes escalating penalties for repeat offenses, including specific suspensions, mandatory interlock use, and higher fines, with additional penalties if BAC is very high or a child is present in the vehicle. It also notes a local-funding provision related to Amendment 621 but states the bill is exempt because it defines or amends a crime, and it establishes an effective date.

Who It Affects

• DUI offenders with prior convictions, who would face longer lookback periods for enhancements and more stringent license-suspension/interlock requirements.
• Judges, prosecutors, and state agencies (including ALEA) who would apply the 10-year lookback, administer enhanced penalties, and enforce ignition interlock rules and related licensing actions.

Key Provisions

• Extend the lookback period for prior DUI convictions from 5 years to 10 years for sentencing enhancements and administrative license suspensions.
• Require prior DUI convictions to have been represented by counsel or waived counsel for them to be counted toward enhancements.
• Habitual felony offender law would not apply to DUI felonies, though prior DUI convictions may still influence sentencing guidelines.
• Expand ignition interlock device requirements with escalating durations tied to offense level (e.g., longer interlock use for subsequent offenses) and impose associated fees and license-restriction mechanics.
• Impose additional penalties for high BAC (0.15% or more) and for offenses involving a minor passenger, including doubling minimum punishments and mandatory interlock use.
• Prescribe licensing and funding provisions related to interlock devices, court fees, and enforcement, with an effective date set for the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Driving Under the Influence