Some San Diego area residents are advocating tougher penalties for juveniles charged with DUI.
Taya Chase - who was hit by a 17-year-old drunk driver on September 20, 2009 - and Erin Limonchi - whose mother was killed by the same driver later that morning - are calling on state lawmakers to change California law so that underaged drunk drivers will be tried as adults rather than juveniles.
Under current law, someone found guilty of DUI in a juvenile court could face time in a juvenile detention facility or other penalties. For the purposes of the criminal courts, the juvenile delinquency adjudication does not become part of an adult criminal record. For the purposes of DMV, the DUI does count against a person's driving record.
Someone found guilty of DUI in adult court, however, would face substantial fines, jail time, and restrictions of driving privileges. The conviction would also become part of the person's criminal record.
There is no indication yet that the legislature will take up this proposal.
