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.
Saturday, August 2 2014 2:06 AM EDT2014-08-02 06:06:09 GMT
New Yorkers enraged by a man's death in police custody see a medical examiner's ruling that blames a prohibited chokehold as a clear indication the officers involved should face criminal charges.
New Yorkers enraged by a man's death in police custody see a medical examiner's ruling that blames a prohibited chokehold as a clear indication the officers involved should face criminal charges.
Saturday, August 2 2014 1:33 AM EDT2014-08-02 05:33:04 GMT
Yitzhak Shuchat, a white member of a civilian patrol group, and Andrew Charles, the black son of a police officer, came face to face in 2008 in a neighborhood with a history of racial strife - that much is certain.
Yitzhak Shuchat, a white member of a civilian patrol group, and Andrew Charles, the black son of a police officer, came face to face in 2008 in a neighborhood with a history of racial strife - that much is certain.
Friday, August 1 2014 11:16 PM EDT2014-08-02 03:16:03 GMT
One of the three Americans detained in North Korea and charged with "anti-state" crimes is a California man raised in the Central Valley oil town of Bakersfield by parents who were petroleum engineers.
One of the three Americans detained in North Korea and charged with "anti-state" crimes is a California man raised in the Central Valley oil town of Bakersfield by parents who were petroleum engineers.
Thursday, July 31 2014 11:36 PM EDT2014-08-01 03:36:03 GMT
Often times, families are trying to think of new ways to spend time together.We introduce you to one family who has found a fun, definitely exciting, and a bit daring way to spend time with one another.
Often times, families are trying to think of new ways to spend time together.We introduce you to one family who has found a fun, definitely exciting, and a bit daring way to spend time with one another.
Thursday, July 24 2014 3:46 PM EDT2014-07-24 19:46:53 GMT
RIVERSIDE, Wash. - Many families were still at the Red Cross Shelter set up at Riverside High School in Riverside this morning.An afternoon storm destroyed or damaged 44 of their homes and knocked down close to 100 trees in Riverside Village Mobile Home Park.Many residents said the storm looked like a tornado as it swept through their neighborhood.
RIVERSIDE, Wash. - Many families were still at the Red Cross Shelter set up at Riverside High School in Riverside this morning.An afternoon storm destroyed or damaged 44 of their homes and knocked down close to 100 trees in Riverside Village Mobile Home Park.Many residents said the storm looked like a tornado as it swept through their neighborhood.
Friday, August 1 2014 12:31 AM EDT2014-08-01 04:31:42 GMT
A public meeting in Bozeman Wednesday night, updating residents on efforts to mitigate violate organic compounds near the Story Mill Road landfill, ended abruptly after one man began shouting at the Mayor.
A public meeting in Bozeman Wednesday night, updating residents on efforts to mitigate violate organic compounds near the Story Mill Road landfill, ended abruptly after one man began shouting at the Mayor.
Wednesday, July 16 2014 9:30 PM EDT2014-07-17 01:30:30 GMT
In Congress Wednesday, the group in charge of doling out Cobell settlement claims says it's waiting on setting exact amounts and a judge's okay before making the rest of the payments.
In Congress Wednesday, the group in charge of doling out Cobell settlement claims says it's waiting on setting exact amounts and a judge's okay before making the rest of the payments.
