Someone who violates a criminal law can lose their life, their liberty, or their license.

While our Senate counterparts listened to Governor O’Malley testify for repeal of the death penalty, the House Judiciary Committee held hearings on eight drunk driving bills.

The argument for tougher penalties: the state’s ability to protect the safety of the traveling public is limited by existing laws that permit the most frequent violators, repeat offenders and young drivers, to remain on the road.

The opposing view: people who lose their license may be unable to get to work or to transport other family members to important activities and events.

When we’re not depriving the accused of life or freedom, I err on the side of preventing harm to others.

Nonetheless, the devil is in the legislative details.

We may begin voting on these bills later this week.