© 2024 Milwaukee Public Media is a service of UW-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Assembly Gets Tough on Underage Drinkers, Repeat Drunken Drivers

flickr.com/webhostingreview

The state Assembly approved a couple of measures on Tuesday, meant to reduce alcohol-related crimes.

One bill would allow owners of taverns and liquor stores to sue underage customers -- or the customers’ parents -- for $1,000. The Assembly approved the measure unanimously. It now heads to the state Senate.

Another measure would mandate prison time for people who are convicted of drunken driving on seven, eight or nine occasions. They would face three-year sentences. The bill also would establish a minimum four-year sentence for people who have been convicted of drunken driving 10 or more times.

The Assembly approved the drunken driving bill on a vote of 95 to 1. It also heads to the Senate.

Ann-Elise is WUWM's news director.