The state of Ohio now offers DUI offenders a choice: Use special license plates in exchange for driving privileges, or forgo driving privileges.

Here is the new plate:

If you see one of those in your rear view mirror watch out...

The legal issues in this case are interesting because the punishment is being extended from the individual to the automobile. The automobile with the plates could be a family vehicle, thus stigmatizing other drivers not guilty of a DUI offense. The one redeeming feature of the law is that defendants do have the option of refusing the plate, albeit in exchange for loss of driving privileges.

Amendments allowing judicial latitude for first time offenses have been proposed, although such discretion, in practice, would likely benefit wealthy defendants more than the less affluent.

The new law is detailed in this article in The Marion Star

Via CrimLaw