Alabama Ignition Interlock Program Remains on Hold
More than a year after the state of Alabama authorized ignition interlock devices for certain DUI offenders, the program is still waiting to be fully implemented. The interlock devices are meant to prevent a person previously convicted of driving under the influence from starting their car if their blood-alcohol level is 0.2 percent or higher. Scott Hoyem, the spokesman for the Alabama Office of Courts, reports that the implementation of the program is on hold due to funding concerns.
Offenders are required to pay $75 monthly for the devices during the first four months that they are being used. The state’s law is unclear on where revenue from that fee should be allocated. “So until these problems are worked out, we advise judges not to use the program,” Hoyem said. “The judges can decide to act on their own to use the devices, but participation is not something we are tracking at this level.”
According to Brent Buchannan of Engage South, most of the money would be funneled to an indigent services account. The funds would be used for people who can’t afford to maintain and lease the ignition interlock devices.
State lawmakers formed the Alabama DUI Prevention and Ignition Interlock Council strictly for the purposes of reviewing this issue. They’re scheduled to meet in October.
Alabama become the 50th state to pass an ignition interlock law in 2011.
- Published in DUI
Dothan Police Officer Charged for Sexual Relationship with Student
Lanice Clifton Bonds, a Dothan Police Department resource officer, has been charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a high school student. Bonds, 37, was arrested on September 24, 2013 and charged with “school employee engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19.” Court records show the offense allegedly took place in October of 2012.
Internal Affairs investigators launched an investigation when criminal allegations surfaced after a September 17th complaint was placed by the Dothan City School System. According to police, the case was then turned over to Dothan Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Brown has since been interviewed about the facts of the case and confessed to his involvement.
Circuit Court Judge Michael Conaway has set Bonds’ bail at $250,000. Cada Carter, an attorney representing Bonds, filed a request on Wednesday to reduce the amount of bail. Carter believes the current bond amount for his client “is the same as no bond being granted at all.”
If convicted of the class B felony criminal charge, school official or employee having sex with a student, Bonds faces a maximum sentence of two to 20 years in prison.
Lanice Bonds has served as a school resource officer at Dothan High School for the last six years. Termination proceedings have been initiated against Bonds in accordance with the city of Dothan personnel rules and regulations.
- Published in Criminal Law
Dothan Man Charged with Attempted Murder
Kahlif Miguel Cooper, 33, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with a felony criminal charge of attempted murder after he reportedly assaulted a 32 year old man with a baseball bat in an incident that took place in the 700 block of Westmead Street on September 3, 2013.
Dothan Police responded to an assault complaint and investigators determined that the incident took place after Cooper went to the residence of a mutual friend to recover personal property. The confrontation took place in the backyard and Cooper is believed to have used a black baseball bat as part of the assault. The victim suffered injuries to several parts of his body and was transported to Southeast Alabama Medical Center.
Khalif cooper was taken into custody a few blocks away from where the incident took place. Police investigators also charged Cooper with armed robbery for allegedly stealing money and a cell phone from the victim after the baseball bat assault took place. The property was recovered by police officers when Cooper was taken into custody.
Court records show that Cooper has faced multiple criminal charges in the recent past. Less than three weeks ago Cooper posted $150,000 bail from the county jail in a felony first degree kidnapping charge. He was also out on bail for a felony criminal charge of marijuana possession.
Khalif Miguel Cooper is currently being held without bail.
- Published in Criminal Law