The Vermont Senate has decided to put the burden of proof on the state in its push to start prosecuting people who let a drunken driver use their car.
The question came down Tuesday to that: Should someone charged with enabling a drunken or drugged driver have to prove he or she was coerced, or should the state have to prove the alleged enabler was not coerced?
State Sens. Vincent Illuzzi and Peg Flory wanted to put the burden of proof on the defendant, and offered an amendment to do that. They then withdrew the amendment after opposition by the Judiciary Committee.
Now the bill, which originated in the House, goes back there to see if it will concur with Senate changes.