The Albany County District Attorney's office is making a change to the D.W.I. policy.
D.A. David Soares says the new and improved policy will no longer allow his office to accept plea reductions for anyone accused of circumventing an ignition interlock device.
"Our aggressive posture on D.W.I.s is an effort to really send a powerful message and get people to think twice about operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
Interlock devices are installed on the ignition of a vehicle, in order to prevent the operator from starting or operating a vehicle if they have been drinking.
Ignition interlocks are generally part of sentencing involving D.W.I.s.
Rather than the slap-on-the-wrist plea deal, the Albany County D.A.'s office will now prosecute every case.
Anyone convicted could face a year in prison.
One local defense attorney tells News Channel 13 this is a different approach, but may result in exhausting resources.
"We know policies for any other crime in Albany County; murders, rapes, robberies, burglaries, no set policy where you can't plead the case down. D.W.I.s are uniquely different, I don't see how they're victims of all these other crimes that I'm sure want such justice."
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