Maine

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12/19/06-A leading state lawmaker is working on a bill that would get tougher with repeat drunken drivers in the state. Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, chairman of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, wants to crackdown on people behind the wheel who are operating under the influence.
His effort is expected to call for increased prison sentences for a sixth drunken driving offense to 10 years. A lifetime driver's license suspension would be attached. The new bill follows on the heels of the conviction earlier this month of a Winslow, ME, man for his 12th drunken driving conviction, The Associated Press reported. The maximum sentence available was five years.
In addition to boosting the maximum penalty, the bill is expected to include a provision for a $3,000 fine and a minimum jail term of one year. The OUI bill is expected to come up for consideration after the first of the year.