DWI Civil Forfeiture Law story on KOB TV featuring Bert Parnall

Transcript:
"Chris Remi:
In the past, if a police officer suspected you were drinking and driving, she could impound your car, make you pay a hefty fee to get it back, or even sell the car at an auction. The anti-DWI group, MADD, strongly supported that. Bert Parnall is an attorney who represents people who have been hurt by drunk drivers, he's also a spokesman for MADD.

Bert Parnall:
A car in the wrong hands, meaning a drunk drivers hands, is a weapon and a tool of violent destruction. Take away the car, then you take away the weapon.

Chris Remi:
But with the New Mexico's in new law, police may no longer have that option. Somebody must first be convicted before the government can start taking away cars or any other kind of property.

There's also much concerned about the future of DWI programs. Much of the funding came from civil forfeitures.

Bert Parnall:
Stopping the seizure of cars, the city was able to obtain funds to continue on with these DWI programs. There will no longer be a lot of those funds, so DWI programs may diminish.

Chris Remi:
Law makers did weigh all this before voting, but in the end, both the House and Senate unanimously voted to end civil forfeitures and the governor signed it. Parnell wonders now with an unintended consequence to the law, may mean drunk drivers get an easier ride. Chris Remi, this is KOB Eyewitness News 4."

KOB TV 4 covers the story of the DWI Civil Forfeiture Law change in New Mexico that could make it harder for local police forces to maintain their DWI programs due to a lack of funds from seized vehicles. Bert Parnall, a spokesperson for MADD comments on the changes.

https://www.hurtcallbert.com/car-accidents/drunk-driving-accidents/

Parnall Law Firm
2025 San Pedro Dr NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 207-3865
www.hurtcallbert.com