Assistant District Attorney Named to Kansas DUI Commission

06/04/2009
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Assistant District Attorney Named to Kansas DUI Commission Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today the Kansas County and District Attorney's Association (KCDAA) named Assistant District Attorney Gregory Benefiel as its representative to the Kansas DUI Commission. "Greg assisted in drafting a proposed comprehensive revision of Kansas DUI laws which was introduced this past legislative session as HB 2263. This proposed legislation will be studied by the Commission, and if adopted would strengthen Kansas DUI laws by increasing the penalties for repeat offenders, increase prosecution of impaired drivers who refuse blood alcohol testing and create a new offense of aggravated DUI. Greg also serves as Chief of the KCDAA DUI section," advised Branson. The 23 member commission was created during the last legislative session. Members include four legislators, two judges, the Attorney General or a designee, one prosecutor, one defense attorney, one victim advocate, two addiction professionals, the Secretary of Corrections, the Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services, the Secretary of Revenue or a designee, the Secretary of Transportation or a designee, the Chairperson of the Kansas Sentencing Commission or designee, the Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol or designee, the Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation or designee, one sheriff, one municipal law enforcement officer, one court services officer and one parole officer. The Commission will be tasked to: ● Review Kansas DUI statutes, ● Review DUI statutes in other states, ● Review evaluation, treatment and supervision practices, enforcement strategies and penalty structure to determine what is effective in changing behavior of DUI offenders, ● Develop a legislative proposal for centralized record keeping, ● Gather and assess information on all groups and committees working on DUI issues; ● Review proposals introduced in the 2009 Legislative Session, and ● Consider other DUI-related proposals as directed by chairperson of the standing Committees of House and State Judiciary, and Corrections, and Juvenile Justice. The Commission is required to submit a preliminary report of its finding by the first day of the 2010 Legislative Session and a final report by the first day of the 2011 Legislative Session. The first meeting is scheduled for July 1st and 2nd. -30-

Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright-Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com