Harsh sentence for drunk driving: Prison term and vehicle confiscation
A driver was sentenced to 1 year and 10 months in prison, and his car was confiscated for the state's benefit. He was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a vehicle without a driver's license, and refusing to take a breathalyzer test. This announcement was made by the Prosecutor General's Office.
The court issued a sentence at the request of the prosecutors from the Hâncești Prosecutor's Office and the Ialoveni Office, resulting in the confiscation of a "Mercedes VITO" model car.
According to the indictment, in February 2024, the driver operated the vehicle without a valid driver's license while in a state of intoxication. A breathalyzer test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.52 mg/l, signaling a high level of intoxication.
In March 2024, the same driver was apprehended again by police officers, suspected of driving while intoxicated. However, this time he refused to take a breathalyzer test.
Prosecutors noted that the driver had a history of similar offenses, having been convicted in 2018, 2020, and again in 2024. Although he had previously been deprived of the right to drive, this did not deter him from operating a vehicle while under the influence.
As a result, the court ordered the car's confiscation, and the driver faces imprisonment if the sentence is upheld.
The prosecutor's office has stated its commitment to ensuring that individuals who drive under the influence are held accountable, including pursuing the confiscation of vehicles for the state's benefit.
The prison sentence for driving while intoxicated was established in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova in 2009. Over the years, the legislation has been amended to impose stricter penalties. In 2024, a new threshold for criminal liability was introduced: a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 0.7 g/l or a breath alcohol concentration exceeding 0.35 mg/l.
