AL SB133

Courts may order defendants convicted of DUI or those approved for pretrial diversion to install either an ignition interlock device or any other court-approved alcohol monitoring device, providing flexibility in sentencing options.

Defendants charged with DUI who enter pretrial diversion programs may be required to install an ignition interlock device or court-approved alcohol monitoring device for a minimum of six months or the duration of the program, whichever is greater.

Ignition interlock device installation periods remain the same for each offense level (1 year for first conviction, 2 years for second, 3 years for third, 4 years for fourth or subsequent), but courts now have discretion to substitute approved alternative monitoring devices.

The bill clarifies that duration requirements for ignition interlock devices do not apply to determining the length of monitoring device requirements, and allows commutation of suspension periods upon successful completion of either device type.

Effective date: The first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.