A new law in Texas requires convicted drunk drivers to pay child support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian, according to House Bill 393.

The law, which went into effect Friday, says those convicted of intoxication manslaughter must pay restitution. The offender will be expected to make those payments until the child is 18 or until the child graduates from high school, “whichever is later,” the legislation says.

Intoxication manslaughter is defined by state law as a person operating “a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; and is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by accident or mistake.”

  • chakan2@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Because this goes from a 10k-50k fine and a few years in jail to a million(s) dollar fine. Suicide is the only viable out unless you are uber rich.

    • a_lemmy_user
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      1 year ago

      I think that’s what people want or at least expect. It’s baffling they don’t just back the death penalty at that point. Instead slave away and suffer to death? Seems needlessly cruel for something that could be prevented with better bus routes and times, or other public transport.