In Nassau County, New York, Pictures of Alleged Drunk Drivers Posted Online

In a new effort to stop drunk driving, officials in Nassau County, New York, have decided to publicize the names and pictures of people arrested for DWI. Officials say if the threat of getting in a crash or being arrested isn't enough to stop people from driving drunk - perhaps embarrassment will be.

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey announced the new drunk driving policy right before the Memorial Day Weekend. According to the statement on this website, they also let people know they would be doubling drunk driving patrols during the weekend.

Afterward, they released the names and pictures of people arrested during the drunk driving crackdown to newspapers and TV stations. You can see the pictures and names on the county website, here.

Now, the drunk driving pictures policy is sparking a big debate. Legal experts and other people are questioning it. Many are leaving comments on websites, including this one, run by a local newspaper.

Some say they do not think the pictures of people charged with drunk driving should be published unless the people are convicted.

One person writes that the people arrested for drunk driving are: "Innocent until proven guilty. If any of the 109 people lose their jobs because their photos were plastered all over Newsday, I hope they sue the beans out of Nassau County. I would feel differently if Suozzi released the photos of CONVICTED drunk drivers... let them have their day in court at least."

A person on another website agrees: "We live in America. You know, that place where a few guys put together something called the Constitution that states you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty?"

However, others are praising the new drunk driving picture policy.

One writes, "If someone can't pass a sobriety test and their blood alcohol level is over the legal amount I say post their name and picture so the public can be warned."

Another agrees, saying drunk drivers, "...drove with alcohol in their system and put my family and friends safety at risk. They are criminals in my book... I know nothing will stop an alcoholic from driving drunk but if they can scare just one person from getting behind the wheel with these photos and prevent a death then the project has worked."

It remains to be seen whether this drunk driving policy will be challenged in court.