Texas drunk drivers will now have to pay child support if they kill a parent, guardian
cnn.com
A new law in Texas requires convicted drunk drivers to pay child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian, according to House Bill 393.
The law, which went into effect Friday, says those convicted of intoxication manslaughter must pay restitution. The offender will be expected to make those payments until the child is 18 or until the child graduates from high school, “whichever is later,” the legislation says.
Intoxication manslaughter is defined by state law as a person operating “a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; and is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by accident or mistake.”
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I don't know, being in jail means they won't be able to pay for the child support.
I'd say the better option is a driving ban, with a hars punishment if broken. Making them live on the verge of poverty is IMO better as a punishment and it's better for the child / society in general
There's nothing more scary than a person with nothing to lose
So, person that just screwed up their life. Who wants to hire a felon? How is a felon supposed to get to work in Texas without transportation? You're going to now take a large chunk out of their paycheck?
People are struggling in Texas that aren't a felon, can drive a car, and get to keep all their paycheck.
How is a person realistically supposed to overcome basically losing everything?
Driving without a license is this person's last concern, and probably some alcohol will make them feel better...
Agreed. A drunk driver proved that he/she is a danger who takes no responsibility. Permanent revoked driver's licence is the solution here.
Along with heavy child support should they kill someone's parents/guardian.
A lot of people with revoked/cancelled/suspended licenses still drive. We don't have a good mechanism to actually keep someone from driving.
The cops used to run plates and take action when the registered owner had one if those statuses and the driver had a vague appearance to the owner. In most places they're not allowed to do that anymore.