by: Ramiro Funez
Recent changes in driving laws will affect your life sooner than you think.
Governor Paterson announced the official date of provision for Leandra’s Law last week, mandating that on or after August 15th, all individuals convicted of a felony or misdemeanor drunk driving charges will be forced to install ignition interlock systems in any vehicle they own, according to a press release provided by the Governor’s Office.
The new change in legislation will affect even those whose particular case doesn’t involve driving with a minor 16-years-old or younger. The overhaul’s initial goal is to more closely protect victims of drunken driving incidents, as nine other states have done so.
Interestingly enough, this has become another one of the few popularized legislation cases involving Latino victims.
In 1966, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ernesto Miranda Arturo, a Latino from Arizona, who was arrested and violated by the state police without being informed of what his charges or rights were. As a result, the development of the Miranda Rights, stating the criminal’s charges and rights during an arrest, became an official procedure because of its enforcement by police nationwide.
SB 1070 also known as Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, has certainly ignited the media’s attention nationwide, sparking national debate on its constitutionality. This legislation, still in a developing stage, directly affects many Latinos in Arizona, many of whom are victims of racial profiling.
Leandra’s Law, created after the 2009 death of 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, has restructured its components, ensuring a more sufficient prevention of drunken driving incidents.
Although there have only been a few popularized changes in legislation because of Latino-induced issues, their effects have surely changed and are changing the country’s composition of establishment and order.
