By: Dan Shaw, [email protected]//March 18, 2014//
By: Dan Shaw, [email protected]//March 18, 2014//
The state Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that would remove voluntary intoxication as a possible defense in criminal cases.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Nass, R-Whitewater, would not affect any laws that allow for involuntary intoxication or being drugged to be used as a defense. Rather, the bill only would apply to those who knowingly and willingly ingested drugs or alcohol. Defendants would not be able to cite their willing substance abuse to argue they did not have the necessary intent to commit a crime.
Randy Kraft, the State Public Defender’s spokesman, said in an email attributed to him that the agency did not take a position on the bill.