By LUKE TAYLOR

The Hermiston Herald

Young adults convicted of alcohol offenses may begin to lose their driving privileges.

The Oregon Legislature passed a law last year expanding the courts’ power to deny driving privileges to individuals age 18-20 who are convicted of possession, use or abuse of alcohol.

The state is suspending licenses even if drivers are not operating a motor vehicle. Under the new law, simply being intoxicated is enough.

Hermiston Prosecutor Gary Luisi said he has yet to see the effects of the new law. He said the old law applied to youths age 13-17, in which case juvenile courts handled the incidents. Now that the law has expanded to 18-20 year olds, the courts have some catching up to do.

“The paper work was complicated (at first), but now it is more streamlined,” Luisi said. “I expect the court will start processing these more frequently.”

The state trend appears to back Luisi’s belief. Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles officials have seen a significant increase in the number of suspended licenses during the first three months of 2008.

“Court denials from drug and alcohol convictions have nearly doubled so far this year, and the 18- to 20-year old age group seems to be accounting for this increase,” said Bill Merrill, DMV’s driver control team manager. He said all young offenders can be punished. Even if drivers don’t have a license, their rights to apply for a license still can be suspended.

Officials say the law’s purpose is to discourage underage drinking and to help prevent driving under the influence of intoxicants. Luisi said driving is a big deal to teens and young adults and the strictness of the new law has the potential to influence their behavior.

“The law says if anybody age 13-20 is convicted of any offense involving alcohol, the court will issue an order denying driving privileges, effective for at least 90 days,” he said. “We’ll have to see how it works out.”