The following article was posted on www.wisn.com
Legislators, Agencies, Meet To Discuss Drunken Driving Laws
Family Of Jennifer Bukosky Hope For Tightening Of Laws
POSTED: 4:36 pm CST November 12, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Several legislators, different agencies and the family of a drunken driving victim all met in Madison Wednesday to talk about tightening Wisconsin's drunken driving laws.
"We don't want other families in Wisconsin to have to go through this ever," Paul Jenkins said.
It is still hard for Paul and Judy Jenkins to talk about their horrific loss. Their daughter, Jennifer Bukosky, and granddaughter, Courtney Bella, along with Bukosky's unborn child were killed in a crash in Oconomowoc in April.
Police said Mark Benson was under the influence of a number of prescription drugs when his sports utility vehicle slammed into the family's car.
"We're working toward getting things done - we're moving along. It keeps us busy," Judy Jenkins said.
The Jenkins have been pushing legislators to change the impaired driving laws. Wednesday, several lawmakers from both parties sat down with the Jenkins and representatives from law enforcement, the courts and advocacy groups to hash out ideas.
"They're working on the first offense being made criminal," Paul Jenkins said.
Right now, offense number one is a fine and temporary license revocation. Also up for debate is how many offenses constitute a felony. Right now, it is five. Some lawmakers think it should be less.
"When you get a third DUI.. You should have serious consequences for it," Kleefish said.
The group is trying to find the best way to turn ideas into legislation that will pass. They all agree on one thing - impaired driving needs to stop and maybe scaring offenders with greater punishment will get that done.
"There's a whole culture of drinking in Wisconsin and with that drinking and driving, that culture needs to be change," Paul Jenkins said.
Kleefisch said one roadblock that has come up with changing the first offense to criminal is that it would tie up the courts. Right now, first time offenders get their punishment within 30 days. It could take months if all offenders had to go to trial.
