VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Motorists found guilty of manslaughter while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will face a minimum of three years behind bars, according to draft legislation tabled for parliamentary debate. The proposal establishes, for the first time, a mandatory custodial sentence for involuntary homicide committed by drivers over the alcohol limit or with drugs in their system.
Courts would no longer be able to hand down suspended sentences or apply the Probation Act in such cases. Currently, negligent manslaughter carries a maximum of four years’ imprisonment, rising to 10 years if multiple victims are killed or injured. The new rules would make three years’ effective jail time the baseline punishment in every case.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
