Governor Set to Review Sweeping DUI Legislation
Senate Bill 54, which introduces stricter penalties for certain DUI offenses, is heading to Governor Kevin Stitt’s desk for approval. The bill identifies six specific criteria that will categorize certain DUIs as aggravated. Among these are driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher, causing a vehicle incident, evading police, speeding excessively, having a minor passenger, and various reckless driving violations.
If someone is convicted of an aggravated DUI under this bill, they will face mandatory jail time. Notably, the legislation allows blood or breathalyzer tests to be utilized if administered within two hours post-arrest, providing further evidence in court.
Supporters like Jeff Murrow, who became an advocate after losing his daughter to a drunk driving incident in 2020, argue the bill could save lives. He emphasizes the need to address drug-impaired driving, which is increasingly common and currently not classified under aggravated DUI.
However, critics voice significant concerns. Oklahoma City attorney Douglas Baxter argues that the state already has stringent DUI laws and believes this bill pushes the boundaries further into punitive territory. Baxter warns that mandatory jail sentences for aggravated DUIs could overload the court system, delaying trials and jeopardizing defendants’ rights to a fair trial due to potential inaccuracies in blood alcohol level readings post-arrest.
As it stands, if Governor Stitt does not veto the measure, Senate Bill 54 will become law on November 1, 2025, marking a pivotal shift in Oklahoma’s approach to impaired driving.
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