It is 2:30 am; a man makes a left turn doesn’t use a signal. Officer behind him pulls him over smells alcohol; after a field sobriety test, and breathlizer man is arrested for DUI, BA of .09
5 days later this man goes before a judge (with an attorney he has to hire) pleads no contest and takes his penalty. No one is hurt, every thing went smooth right?
Now what if I tell you this man was 21 years old had just come back from deployment from Iraq. Hasn’t been home since he was 18. Was drinking at a bar 2 blocks from home and driving his friend home who passed out and was unable to walk. This young man gets the following;Suspended liscense.
Court ordered DUI prevention, MADD, and several other classes. Court ordered interlock device for 1 year. court ordered 96 hours community service,He paid the attonery $2000, the court $700 after all is said and done,and the interlock company gets a total of $ 1000,Plus his commanding officer gives him a dishonarble and fines him 30days pay.
I guess what I am asking does the punishment fit the crime?
Not apples to oranges..
We are talking about someone who came home went drinking and started taking a friend home who was obviously intoxicated. While the person in question was over the legal limit and breaking a law why is the punishment so harsh. This is a first time offense. However with the nations current laws this man will not be eligble for any respectable career because he recieved a dishonarble discharge, and is now presumably in debt. My personal opnion is that this penalty does not fit the crime in question. No one was injured or in apperant danger. The person in question was nearly a 100 yards from home. So why so strict for every offender?
No people this does happen in several states on a first offense. Also several commands through out the US will give a dishonarble or Other than honarble to a first time offender that pleads guilty to prevent backlash from MADD or other agencies.