Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee wants county magistrates to decide whether a person charged with drunken driving should have their license revoked or suspended.
Hearing examiners within the division of motor vehicles now preside over the administrative side of dui cases.
But the agency has been rocked by evidence of abusive practices.
Commissioner Joe Miller was brought in to clean up that mess.
He told the committee that he's confirmed some allegations that defendants were not treated fairly in these dui hearings.
Miller is backing the bill that the committee endorsed Friday.
It would allow magistrates to decide both the criminal and civil sides of a dui case at the same time.
It now goes to the full senate for a vote.
(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
