Oklahoma Senator Patrick Anderson has proposed a bill that make it illegal for someone that has previously been convicted of driving under the influence from purchasing or consuming alcohol at all. Anyone that is found purchasing alcohol for someone with a DUI conviction can also find themselves facing criminal charges.

Can Oklahoma enact this ban?

Senate Bill 30 seeks to develop a procedure that would prevent the charged driver from consuming and purchasing alcohol in a set period of time to be determined by the judge presiding over their case. In addition, if someone knowingly gives alcohol to someone that is restricted under this law, they can be charged with a felony carrying one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Called Alcohol Restricted, the convicted driver will have a replacement identification card issued that will note that they are unable to purchase alcohol. This card must be carried the entirety of their probation period. This is being hailed as a necessary deterrent for those that have been convicted of drunk driving. Most DUI offenders are repeat offenders, which is why limiting their access to alcohol is seen as a wise move.

According to defense attorneys, enforcing this law seems like it would be tenuous at best. Unless someone is under the age of 21, there are almost no restrictions on the consumption of alcohol and enforcing this law would be extremely difficult. In addition, it opens a dangerous legal door. For example, say someone picks up wine for a family holiday dinner and all of a sudden is facing felony charges before a judge, simply because one of their relatives was restricted.

Oklahoma has one of the worst drunk driving rates in the country and lawmakers have taken an aggressive stance to reduce this number. One recent law that has been passed makes it easier to confiscate the cars of convicted drunk drivers. While preventing drivers from getting behind the wheel after they have consumed alcohol should be a priority for lawmakers, not all regulations should be passed in attempts to accomplish this goal.