Burchett Passes Bill to Get Tough of Criminals

Nashville, Tenn. – Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) announced today that Senate Bill 791 passed the Senate on Monday night by an overwhelming majority.  The bill removes vehicular homicide from per-trial diversion eligibility.

“This is a loophole that needed to be closed,” said Burchett.  “It does not make sense that a person charged with DUI is ineligible for diversion, but if a death results from the DUI the defendant is then eligible for pre-trial diversion.  If someone loses their life, the person responsible should not leave the court with no record at all.”

The bill simply will take vehicular homicide off of the list of crimes that are eligible for pretrial diversion.  It will still leave the option for the trial judge to place the defendant on probation in certain cases.  The defendant who kills someone by unlawful operation of a motor vehicle, however, will not be able to leave court without a record.   

The bill must now be passed in the House and signed by the Governor before becoming law.

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