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A judge in North Dakota has sentenced a woman who pled guilty to child-neglect charges for breast-feeding her daughter while drunk to 18 months in prison, with all but six months suspended. (Source: Join Together, 8/12/09)

A federal transportation bill now being debated in Congress would compel all states to require convicted drunk drivers to install alcohol-detecting ignition-interlock devices on their vehicles. (Source: Joint Together, 8/4/09)

A South Carolina county court ruled that the state’s law barring those under 21 from possessing or drinking alcohol is unconstitutional. Judge Mel Maurer of Richland County ruled in favor of a 20-year-old who was ticketed for possessing alcohol. Joe McCulloch, the youth’s attorney, made a case that under Article 17, Section 14 of South Carolina’s constitution 18-year olds are granted the „full legal rights and responsibilities“ that other adults have. A spokesperson said the solicitor plans to appeal Richland County’s decision. (Source: Join Together, 7/20/09)

Repeat alcohol offenders in Missouri will now need more than just a key to start their cars. Starting July 1, all repeat alcohol offenders will be required to pay for and install ignition interlock devices in their cars. The device requires the driver to blow an alcohol-free sample into the machine to start their car. The new law will mostly affect future offenders, but state officials said it will impact nearly 70,000 people under restricted and revoked licenses. (Source: Join Together, 15.7.09)

Breathalyzer tests can fail to produce accurate results, so accused drunk drivers have the right to challenge the results of such tests in court, the California Supreme Court has ruled. (Source: Join Together, 7/14/09)