A district judge in Libby rules against Montana's 24/7 sobriety program for drunken driving suspects, calling it unconstitutional. The state has already appealed the ruling to the Montana Supreme Court.
In his February 5 ruling, District Judge James Wheelis says the program's sobriety testing fees are an unconstitutional punishment for defendants before they are tried.
The legislature passed the law in 2011 to crack down on drunk driving. Under the law, anyone arrested for drunken driving two or more times can be ordered to take part in the program. It requires the driver to take, and pay for, frequent breath tests before their trial.
Wheelis threw out the law based on a challenge by Robert Spady, who was arrested for drunken driving and careless driving in Lincoln County. Spady took part in the 24/7 program for 113 days and paid $452 in fees. The order shows he was arrested each time and charged with contempt of court.
We will have more information, and reaction from Governor Bullock, on the ABC MONTANA NEWS at 5:30, and the FOX MONTANA NEWS AT 9.
Sunday, April 20 2014 10:03 PM EDT2014-04-21 02:03:15 GMT
The 4/20 stoner holiday is going mainstream in Colorado.
Tens of thousands of revelers raised joints, pipes and vaporizer devices to the sky Sunday at a central Denver park in a defiant toast to the April 20 pot holiday, a once-underground celebration that stepped into the...
Sunday, April 20 2014 7:33 PM EDT2014-04-20 23:33:19 GMT
Government documents show that General Motors waited years to recall nearly 335,000 Saturn Ions for power steering failures despite getting thousands of consumer complaints and warranty repair claims.
General Motors waited years to recall nearly 335,000 Saturn Ions for power steering failures despite getting thousands of consumer complaints and more than 30,000 warranty repair claims, according to government documents...
Sunday, April 20 2014 4:53 PM EDT2014-04-20 20:53:03 GMT
The father of a missing boy whose body was found off a Massachusetts highway says he was crushed to hear that his 5-year-old son's remains had been identified but is planning his funeral.
The father of a missing boy whose body was found off a Massachusetts highway says he was crushed to hear that his 5-year-old son's remains had been identified but is planning his funeral.
Tuesday, April 15 2014 7:59 PM EDT2014-04-15 23:59:30 GMT
KHQ.COM - It was a sight to behold! The blood moon lit up the heavens last night. If you slept thru it, no need to worry! We recorded the whole thing for you and many of our Facebook friends and viewers have shared the photos that they captured of the total lunar eclipse last night!
KHQ.COM - It was a sight to behold! The blood moon lit up the heavens last night. If you slept thru it, no need to worry! We recorded the whole thing for you and many of our Facebook friends and viewers have shared the photos that they captured of the total lunar eclipse last night!
Friday, April 18 2014 4:21 PM EDT2014-04-18 20:21:35 GMT
MOKPO, South Korea (AP) - Searchers have now put markers on the surface of the water where the South Korean ferry went down. Part of the ship had remained above the surface until today, but now the entire vessel is submerged. They're continuing the effort to find some 270 people who are missing and feared dead.
MOKPO, South Korea (AP) - Searchers have now put markers on the surface of the water where the South Korean ferry went down. Part of the ship had remained above the surface until today, but now the entire vessel is submerged. They're continuing the effort to find some 270 people who are missing and feared dead.
Friday, April 18 2014 11:48 PM EDT2014-04-19 03:48:09 GMT
Have you ever heard of the sport hurling? Not curling, but hurling with an "H" If you're like me, you may have had no idea what that is,but the University of Montana has a pretty impressive hurling team
Hurling is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, but April 19th is when the first ever Hurling game in Montana will be played by the Grizzlies Hurling Team
Saturday, April 19 2014 12:02 AM EDT2014-04-19 04:02:08 GMT
People have just two days left to ski at the nation's largest ski resort before it closes for the winter season. "It's truly been an epic year, one of the best ever," said Cindy Reiss, skier. Big Sky Resort
People have just two days left to ski at the nation's largest ski resort before it closes for the winter season.
Sunday, March 30 2014 10:36 PM EDT2014-03-31 02:36:40 GMT
LOOKOUT PASS, Montana- Lookout Pass near the Idaho/Montana Border is shutdown down following a landslide on I-90. D.O.T. crews are on the scene Sunday evening clearing trying to clear the scene.
LOOKOUT PASS, Montana- Lookout Pass near the Idaho/Montana Border is shutdown down following a landslide on I-90. D.O.T. crews are on the scene Sunday evening clearing trying to clear the scene.
Friday, April 11 2014 8:11 PM EDT2014-04-12 00:11:47 GMT
Thousands of dollars were raised in a matter of seconds for a wounded rancher at the 5-L Red Angus Bull Auction in Sheridan Friday. A total of 300 bulls were sold in a matter of four hours, but one bull
Thousands of dollars were raised in a matter of seconds for a wounded rancher at the 5-L Red Angus Bull Auction in Sheridan Friday.
Thursday, April 17 2014 12:41 AM EDT2014-04-17 04:41:14 GMT
The Montana Lacrosse team is preparing for their last three games of the regular season. They're currently 6-6 and with all three games at home in Washington Grizzly Stadium, they're hoping the playoffs
The Montana Lacrosse team is preparing for their last three games of the regular season. They're currently 6-6 and with all three games at home in Washington Grizzly Stadium, they're hoping the playoffs are on the horizon.
Thursday, April 17 2014 8:05 PM EDT2014-04-18 00:05:47 GMT
According to the Butte-Silver Bow County Police Department, the "Our Lady of the Rockies Statue" turned red on Wednesday night after four young adults put cellophane over the white lights.Undersheriff
According to the Butte-Silver Bow County Police Department, the "Our Lady of the Rockies Statue" turned red on Wednesday night after four young adults put cellophane over the white lights.
