Texas drunk drivers will now have to pay child support if they kill a parent, guardian | CNN
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A new law in Texas requires convicted drunk drivers to pay child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian, according to House Bill 393.

A new law in Texas requires convicted drunk drivers to pay child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian, according to House Bill 393.

The law, which went into effect Friday, says those convicted of intoxication manslaughter must pay restitution. The offender will be expected to make those payments until the child is 18 or until the child graduates from high school, “whichever is later,” the legislation says.

Intoxication manslaughter is defined by state law as a person operating “a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; and is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by accident or mistake.”

  • @[email protected]English
    10•1 year ago

    I don’t know, being in jail means they won’t be able to pay for the child support.

    I’d say the better option is a driving ban, with a hars punishment if broken. Making them live on the verge of poverty is IMO better as a punishment and it’s better for the child / society in general

    • @Sludgeyy
      17•1 year ago

      There’s nothing more scary than a person with nothing to lose

      So, person that just screwed up their life. Who wants to hire a felon? How is a felon supposed to get to work in Texas without transportation? You’re going to now take a large chunk out of their paycheck?

      People are struggling in Texas that aren’t a felon, can drive a car, and get to keep all their paycheck.

      How is a person realistically supposed to overcome basically losing everything?

      Driving without a license is this person’s last concern, and probably some alcohol will make them feel better…

    • @Shou
      3•1 year ago

      Agreed. A drunk driver proved that he/she is a danger who takes no responsibility. Permanent revoked driver’s licence is the solution here.

      Along with heavy child support should they kill someone’s parents/guardian.

      • @Mamertine
        9•1 year ago

        revoked driver’s licence is the solution here.

        A lot of people with revoked/cancelled/suspended licenses still drive. We don’t have a good mechanism to actually keep someone from driving.

        The cops used to run plates and take action when the registered owner had one if those statuses and the driver had a vague appearance to the owner. In most places they’re not allowed to do that anymore.

        • Urist
          5•1 year ago

          I think, perhaps, this isn’t a problem the police can solve in America.

          The justice system (IMHO. my opinion is not worth much) should focus on rehabilitation and restitution to the victim. It’s probably impossible to live in parts of Texas without a license, due to lack of alternative transportation.

          I don’t feel bad for people who have DUI/DWIs, but I do think you should be able to recover from a mistake like that. Driving without a license can feel like a necessity, because having a car in America can feel like a necessity. Having no (or very few) opportunities makes mistakes unrecoverable.

          I’m not saying these people deserve to be able to drive, it’s just, revoking their license doesn’t do anything and it’s obvious why.

          • @Mamertine
            4•1 year ago

            I used to watch a YouTube motovlogger. He advocated after someone got a DUI they can only get a motorcycle license. His logic was they’d only kill themselves. I could get behind that.

            • @dragonflyteaparty
              1•1 year ago

              That’s not necessarily true. Pedestrians are definitely a thing. And people would still drive illegally without a license to have passengers, children with them, groceries, larger items, ect. On top of that, being a motorcyclist is more dangerous and one could argue that it’s a cruel and unusual punishment to increase the danger selectively for certain people.