Official Car and DUI Thread

[nate]

You could say the same thing about a rapist or a burgler.

 

Jail seems to do an ok job with helping someone.  You won't see me taking pity on someone who selfishly puts lives in danger.  Remember the person who killed Adenhart had a few DUIs on his record.  The world would have been better off if he was rotting in jail.

[Adam]

It's also okay to view someone as a good dude with weaknesses and feel they should be locked up at the same time. There are good dudes in prison.

[Blarg]

According to their mom they are all good boys.

[Crampknees]

You would think 9 DUI's you have to do some decent jail time.  Must have a good cheap lawyer. 

[the dude abides]

How stupid and irresponsible must one be to acquire 9 DUI's? 

 

Lock that guy up before he kills someone (if he hasn't already done so).

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

Might depend when he got some of those 9 DUI's as after so many years they more or less fall off as far as the courts are concerned but over time they've stayed on your record longer and longer and last I heard it was 10 years.  In alcohol school there was an older guy who had 7 but hadn't had one in 10+ years and this was 11 years ago.  He said at one point when you got a DUI the cops would just have you leave your car and drop you off at home.  I know in CA so many years ago a second DUI got most people 30 days while a 3rd was supposed to get you 180 in jail and I believe you could lose your license for good.  Of course if you have enough money those rules don't necessarily apply and admittedly I have no idea how the laws have changed in the last 10 years or so but I'd assume they've only gotten stricter.    

Edited January 14, 2016 by Catwhoshatinthehat

[Blarg]

One of my assists got a DUI and went straight to a holding cell where he had to post bail. His car was towed and impounded so he had to pay for that along with the installment of a breathalyzer to start his car while on probation. All told it was well over $10K for a first offense and he has been completely a changed guy in terms of his social drinking. If he goes out it is usually by Uber but he never turns a key even after the "Only Two Beers". He has left his car in several less than secure locations because it is cheaper to have any damages repaired or the car replaced than getting a second strike.

[Angelsjunky]

Pretty much what Adam said. It is surprising to me that someone can get 9 DUIs and not get jail time, although I'm not sure if that is the case. But if he keeps getting them, clearly there is something wrong with both the system and the individual. I would think a combination of jail time, community service, and some kind of ongoing mental health support would be needed.

[mp170.6]

DUI's are good money makers for the government.  When politicians talk about reducing DUI's it's mostly smoke and mirrors because they, too, are known to get DUI's and don't want to face harsher penalties themselves. 

 

Sometimes I think fines should be a percentage of income.  Yes, I know, how socialist sounding of me.  But consider this:  A guy like Zack Greinke now makes $94,292 per day 365 days a year for the next 6 years.  No doubt getting a DUI would hurt his reputation, but monetarily speaking, the fines and lawyer fees are like buying lunch at In-N-Out for the rest of us.   Seriously. 

[nate]

Pretty much what Adam said. It is surprising to me that someone can get 9 DUIs and not get jail time, although I'm not sure if that is the case. But if he keeps getting them, clearly there is something wrong with both the system and the individual. I would think a combination of jail time, community service, and some kind of ongoing mental health support would be needed.

 

"ongoing mental health support would be needed" why, so while they are getting treatment they can go out and kill someone with their car.

 

If a few months in jail isn't enough the first time and a few years the second time then the rest of their life in jail should do it.

 

IMO a second DUI should lead to at least a year in jail and a third should be a significant amount of time (5+ years) in jail and a lifetime ban from driving.

Edited January 14, 2016 by nate

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

Sometimes I think fines should be a percentage of income.  Yes, I know, how socialist sounding of me.  But consider this:  A guy like Zack Greinke now makes $94,292 per day 365 days a year for the next 6 years.  No doubt getting a DUI would hurt his reputation, but monetarily speaking, the fines and lawyer fees are like buying lunch at In-N-Out for the rest of us.   Seriously. 

 

Good in theory but terrible in practice when law enforcement and/or cities start going harder after wealthy individuals.  All that would lead to is those wealthy individuals fighting it in court and if they win taxpayers are footing a large bill for some prosecutor who goes up against a well paid for legal team.  I'll be honest I'm skeptical of cops as is because some do some scandalous shit and I sure as hell don't want to give them a reason to do more.  I know the vast majority don't but it's not like I have the option of ignoring or not dealing with cops like I do most businesses if they do something I don't like.   

Edited January 14, 2016 by Catwhoshatinthehat

[red321]

Monetary is one thing...driving privileges is another. DUI...you lost the right to drive for 5 years. Second time...you lose the right to drive forever. You have shown you cannot be trusted.

[mp170.6]

Good in theory but terrible in practice when law enforcement and/or cities start going harder after wealthy individuals.  All that would lead to is those wealthy individuals fighting it in court and if they win taxpayers are footing a large bill for some prosecutor who goes up against a well paid for legal team.  I'll be honest I'm skeptical of cops as is because some do some scandalous shit and I sure as hell don't want to give them a reason to do more.  I know the vast majority don't but it's not like I have the option of ignoring or not dealing with cops like I do most businesses if they do something I don't like.   

 

I know. That's exactly my thinking too. 

 

The cops love narcotics because they can pull the Asset Seizure scam without proving a crime has been committed. 

[Tank]

9 times . . . wow. good dude or not, that's not an acceptable thing. why isn't he being more responsible about stopping or getting help?

 

why weren't his friends helping him? if this is someone they care about and they were around when he was drinking, someone should have stepped up and taken his keys.

 

the system has failed in that he's still walking around. he should have seen the inside of a cell for significant amounts of time by now. he certainly shouldn't have a license any more.

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

Monetary is one thing...driving privileges is another. DUI...you lost the right to drive for 5 years. Second time...you lose the right to drive forever. You have shown you cannot be trusted.

 

I'd rather they stick with the provisional license on an initial misdemeanor DUI that allows people to drive to and from school/work/alcohol school.  Without that ability many people aren't going to be able to get an education and in many cases pay the court fines, go to alcohol school, and so on.  To be honest I wouldn't have been able to and it would have changed my career and life path drastically.  

Edited January 14, 2016 by Catwhoshatinthehat

[red321]

So, the first time, as long as you don't kill someone, a slap on the wrist is ok. After that, throw the book at them?

 

 

With all the information and required learning regarding drunk driving prior to get your license...why is that not sufficient enough warning. DO NOT DO IT.

 

Look, I get times were different. 30 years ago...geez...I shudder to think about some times I drove. But it's not 30 years ago. It's not 10 years ago. The first time needs to be harsh. The first time needs to sting, because there never should be a first time.

[Amazing Larry]

We all agree that drinking and driving is very bad but I'm not in favor of denying some 16 year the right to drive for life because he got popped twice before he was even old enough to vote.

[mtangelsfan]

So what would be your resolution?

 

Mine would be to attach jail time to each DUI conviction.  First is 6 months, second 2 years 3rd 10 years and so on..............

 

fines suck and only feed the state.  Also, I am torn about driver's licenses.  Just don't know how someone can have a job without a license for the rest of their lives.  Then they become a draw on the state.

[red321]

We all agree that drinking and driving is very bad but I'm not in favor of denying some 16 year the right to drive for life because he got popped twice before he was even old enough to vote.

 

And if he kills someone during their drinking and driving escapade? If there is no teeth behind initial DUI convictions, than it's pointless...because the reality is their "first" DUI can be part of an accident that takes the lives of others. The goal shouldn't be to reduce multiple instances...but any instance. It should hurt...and leave a mark. 

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

So, the first time, as long as you don't kill someone, a slap on the wrist is ok. After that, throw the book at them?

 

 

With all the information and required learning regarding drunk driving prior to get your license...why is that not sufficient enough warning. DO NOT DO IT.

 

Look, I get times were different. 30 years ago...geez...I shudder to think about some times I drove. But it's not 30 years ago. It's not 10 years ago. The first time needs to be harsh. The first time needs to sting, because there never should be a first time.

 

The first time already is harsh and does sting, trust me it's not just a slap on the wrist.  You pay at least $10K between fines, alcohol school costs and increased car insurance rates and there's a time commitment in order to get everything completed which is necessary to keep your provisional license.  If you miss two alcohol classes (you have to go once or twice a week for 3-9 months depending on the circumstances of your case), don't pay your fines, don't attend required AA meetings, don't do community service if assigned or get caught driving with your provisional license when you're not supposed to be you end up back in court, most likely in jail and will lose your license.  

 

Edit - all of the above were the major requirements over 10 years ago.  At that time the DUI was on your record for 10 years and if anything it's probably only been extended.  Some time after I believe they started requiring people to attend a MADD meeting where they get blasted for being idiots.

Edited January 14, 2016 by Catwhoshatinthehat

[Tank]

And if he kills someone during their drinking and driving escapade? If there is no teeth behind initial DUI convictions, than it's pointless...because the reality is their "first" DUI can be part of an accident that takes the lives of others. The goal shouldn't be to reduce multiple instances...but any instance. It should hurt...and leave a mark. 

 

you honor, i give you affluenza boy as exhibit A for why there should be a harsher penalty.

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

you honor, i give you affluenza boy as exhibit A for why there should be a harsher penalty.

 

Affluenza boy didn't really have any penalty at all because his family had money and they had a ridiculous defense that some judge or jury bought.  In cases like his I don't care if you're 16, 17 or 70 you should be serving serious time with no need to waste taxpayer money on a court case. 

[Crampknees]

We had a guy on one of our golf trips and we all went to Hooters and on the way back to the hotel got pulled over.  We hadn't been drinking much but didn't realize he took psycho meds and mixed them.  Would have never let him drive.  That was a disaster being in a foreign town and he gets a DUI.  It probably cost him $15k because we were in a town he didn't live in. 

 

He should have let us know what he takes besides some beer.  Luckily for me I have always been one where if you say give me the keys I never say no I can handle it.  I always pass the keys off whenever out. Problem even two beers can get you over the limit. 

[Tank]

We all agree that drinking and driving is very bad but I'm not in favor of denying some 16 year the right to drive for life because he got popped twice before he was even old enough to vote.

 

then we need to be pretty harsh right from the start with an underage kid getting popped twice for DUI.

 

public transportation should take care of him for a good, long time.

[Crampknees]

then we need to be pretty harsh right from the start with an underage kid getting popped twice for DUI.

 

public transportation should take care of him for a good, long time.

Unless you live in MT's town.  Pretty hard to find public transportation there:)