Coleman Bill to Increase Penalties for Repeat DUI Offenders Passes Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, has successfully passed legislation through the Senate Public Safety Committee that would improve public safety by allowing judges and prosecutors to factor in an individual’s multiple driving under the influence offenses when determining penalties for an offender.

Senate Bill 1543 would allow multiple DUI charges to be prosecuted as a single felony case, rather than as multiple misdemeanors. Current law prevents individuals from being charged with a felony DUI until their first DUI offense is fully adjudicated.

Under this bill, if an individual is charged with multiple misdemeanor DUI offenses while awaiting trial for their first DUI offense, prosecutors could consolidate all the cases into a single felony charge.

“Right now, someone can rack up multiple DUI misdemeanors before their first case is ever resolved,” Coleman said. “This bill allows the judicial system to respond appropriately to repeat offenders and impose stronger penalties when they’re clearly warranted.”

A misdemeanor DUI offense carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, whereas a felony DUI charge carries harsher penalties, including up to seven years behind bars.

Coleman noted that it takes an average of 51 weeks for a DUI case to be fully resolved. During that time, there has been at least one instance in which an individual accumulated eight misdemeanor DUI charges before their first case was ever settled, he said.

Coleman said he worked on the bill in conjunction with the District Attorneys Council.

In committee, Coleman cited the tragic example of Marissa Murrow, a former University of Central Oklahoma student who was killed by a drunk driver in a head-on collision. Coleman added that Jeff Murrow, the young woman’s father, had informed him that the driver in that devastating incident had four misdemeanor DUIs before he was ever charged with a felony.

“No one should have to go through what the Murrow family has been through,” Coleman said. “I’m hopeful that Senate Bill 1543 will stop repeat DUI offenses before tragedy strikes again.”

SB 1543 is now eligible for consideration before the full Senate.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Bill Coleman at (405) 521-5581 or email Bill.Coleman@oksenate.gov