State to pay $5.6 million in lawsuit over drunk boating convictions

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles will pay $5.6 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over its practice of suspending the driving privileges of people who have been convicted of boating under the influence.

The case stems from the 2005 arrest and conviction of a man for boating under the influence on the Colorado River. After DMV suspended his driver’s license and required him to attend a class on alcohol addiction -- the same penalties issued for driving under the influence -- he sued to contest the practice.

In March 2007, a Superior Court judge ruled that the DMV was misinterpreting state law and barred the department from suspending driving privileges for BUI convictions.

After several more years of litigation, the two sides agreed to settle the case last year. The $5.6 million settlement was approved Monday.

After attorney’s fees, the money will go to the 753 boaters who had their driving privileges suspended after BUI convictions.

ALSO:

Read Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal

Feb. 24: D-Day for redistricting referendum

Brown’s tax plan may not bring in the cash he expects

-- Nicholas Riccardi in Sacramento