Still, Boyden said, some criticize allowing a DUI to be dismissed, believing that undermines public confidence in how drunken driven charges are handled by the court system. "This is a message we shouldn't be giving," he said.

In the next two years, Boyden predicted the legal community will come up with an alternative to the plea in abeyance that will provide encouragement for treatment without raising concerns over the punishment offenders get.

A member of the judiciary committee, Rep. Ann Hardy, R-Bountiful, said her sister was killed by a drunken driver. "The punishment is really important to me," Hardy said.

The council is also seeking legislation to increase the use of an ignition locking device that prevents drivers with elevated blood alcohol levels from operating the equipped vehicle. Currently, a judge does not have to order the device for a first DUI offense.

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, is sponsoring legislation requiring increased use of the ignition locking device, as well as another bill to extend the sunset date for use of pleas in abeyance.

"You know that DUI's are a huge concern for me," she said. "Trust me, in a month from now, there will be a couple bills that will be the culmination of two years of work, and it will hopefully get these guys off the road."

---

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com; nwarburton@desnews.com