New York sued over DWI car forfeitures

New York police officers are seizing cars of people arrested for drinking and driving  ALSO: New York seizing cars in drunken driving cases VIDEO: Gary Tuchman's report Windows Media 28K 80K

March 12, 1999
Web posted at: 8:50 a.m. EST (1350 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A plan to reduce New York City traffic deaths by seizing the cars of people arrested for -- but not yet convicted of -- driving while intoxicated appears headed for a courtroom challenge.

The New York Civil Liberties Union sued the city this week, calling the policy instituted by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani "unfair, excessive and un-American."

"A car driven by a drunk driver is a dangerous weapon," responds Michael Hess, a lawyer for the city, "just the same way as a gun that might kill somebody."

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 72 people who lost their cars because of the policy, which went into effect February 22.

Watch this report from Correspondent Gary Tuchman for more details on the controversy, including comments from one New Yorker whose car has been taken away.

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