Westchester County Adopts DWI/DUI Vehicle Forfeiture Laws

Under new legislation recently approved by the Westchester Board of Legislators, people convicted of racing, speed contests, or operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Westchester County, New York will face mandatory forfeiture of their vehicles.

The legislation comes as a response to an increase in DWI and DUI arrests.  According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, DWI and DUI arrests rose 23 percent from 2002 to 2007.

Lawmakers hope this bold legislation will force people to think twice about getting behind the wheel of a car and driving drunk. 

The National Transportation Safety Board has found that vehicle forfeiture is a powerful deterrent to driving under the influence, and that it may even help to reduce the amount of repeat DWI/DUI offenses.

According to William Burton, Chairman of the Board's Committee on Legislation, the bill was modeled after laws already in effect in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, which have proven to be effective.

Under the terms of the legislation, once a driver has been arrested for DWI or DUI, the County would apply civil forfeiture proceedings against the vehicle, which is considered an instrument of crime, and the car would immediately be impounded.

There are currently twenty states that confiscate vehicles as a penalty for DWI or DUI. However, some states do not confiscate an offender's vehicle unless it is his or her second or more offense.

To learn more about the vehicle forfeiture laws in your state, please click here to find a DUI lawyer near you!