site.btaBulgaria’s Constitutional Court Backs Vehicle Seizure for Driving Under Influence

The Bulgarian Constitutional Court has ruled Thursday that the legal provisions allowing for the confiscation of vehicles driven by individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs do not violate the Constitution. The case concerns a provision of the Criminal Code, adopted in 2023, which introduced stricter penalties for such offenses.

In its reasoning, the Constitutional Court emphasized that public sensitivity regarding road safety has significantly increased in recent years and the lawmakers’ intent is to impose enhanced criminal liability for offenses of key public interest.

The Court also noted that Bulgaria’s legislative approach aligns with the practices of many European Union member states and other rule-of-law nations.

Regarding cases where a vehicle is not owned by the offender, the confiscation of its monetary equivalent ensures the constitutional principle of equality before the law. Without this measure, individuals committing the same crime would be treated differently based on vehicle ownership, the Court explained in its reasoning.