Rookie DA cracks down on DWI

[DeltAlum]

I'm not sure anything, in the law or anywhere else, can be this "black and white." There are always shades of gray.

[Tom Earp]

Can any kind of zelot be harmful to as many people as they try to good for?


Good for Her and Her thoughts, but I am not sure how well this will fly if some Hotty Tottys that may get stopped will agree?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Can any kind of zelot be harmful to as many people as they try to good for?


Good for Her and Her thoughts, but I am not sure how well this will fly if some Hotty Tottys that may get stopped will agree?

My translator broke at "hotty totty"

I still say good for her. Clearly every DUI is not going to get a murder charge, but if you drive drunk, pay the price. The real one, not the 150 dollar traffic ticket you plead down to.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

My translator broke at "hotty totty"

I still say good for her. Clearly every DUI is not going to get a murder charge, but if you drive drunk, pay the price. The real one, not the 150 dollar traffic ticket you plead down to.

Perhaps area or age slang issue: HT=rich, connected et al......

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by jon1856

Perhaps area or age slang issue: HT=rich, connected et al......

Dude, you are now officially creepy.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Dude, you are now officially creepy.

Me? Why?
All I did was answer your question, in a helpful kind way, in a thread we are both in......

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I'm not sure anything, in the law or anywhere else, can be this "black and white." There are always shades of gray.

True.

Here's a question for the people who think this DA is doing a good thing -- will you feel the same way when, say, a rapist or other violent criminal is released from jail early to make room for the person who got his first DUI conviction and was sentenced to prison after a trial? How about when your taxes increase because the county needs more money to litigate all DUI cases? When your taxes increase again to build more jails?

This reminds me of some political attack ads running here (holy hell, I'm sick of this crap already) attacking a guy running for governor because he "plea bargained 97% of cases" while he was DA -- like that is SHOCKING and TERRIBLE. Uhhh, the vast majority of criminal cases are plead out -- I believe somewhere around 95% of state criminal cases. Pleas happen when the prosecution and defense come to an agreement with which they both can live. No, really -- how is that bad? If more and more cases go to trial, the cost (in terms of money and time) would be ridiculous -- and what would be the point?

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

True.
This reminds me of some political attack ads running here (holy hell, I'm sick of this crap already) attacking a guy running for governor because he "plea bargained 97% of cases" while he was DA -- like that is SHOCKING and TERRIBLE. Uhhh, the vast majority of criminal cases are plead out -- I believe somewhere around 95% of state criminal cases.

It's interesting that if you believe the polls (questionable sometimes), he is leading the more "black and white" leaning candidate by a substantial margin. In addition, the worst "attack" add, the one that mentions the plea bargain numbers, is one of those that wasn't placed by the opposition campaign, but rather one of those outside committees who have taken it upon themselves to influence an election in which they aren't an actual candidate -- like the "Fast Boat" folks from the last presidential election.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

It's interesting that if you believe the polls (questionable sometimes), he is leading the more "black and white" leaning candidate by a substantial margin. In addition, the worst "attack" add, the one that mentions the plea bargain numbers, is one of those that wasn't placed by the opposition campaign, but rather one of those outside committees who have taken it upon themselves to influence an election in which they aren't an actual candidate -- like the "Fast Boat" folks from the last presidential election.

There's some creepy ass political crap going on in this state. The judicial term limits thing is another one -- I wish people would get hopping mad about that little piece of work. And Beauprez is as awful as Pete Coors.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

There's some creepy ass political crap going on in this state. The judicial term limits thing is another one -- I wish people would get hopping mad about that little piece of work. And Beauprez is as awful as Pete Coors.

Concur.

[FHwku]

She also intends to use a $110,000 state grant to purchase high-tech alcohol-detecting ankle bracelets for DWI offenders who, as part of their probation, are required to stay sober.

that's absurd.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

There's some creepy ass political crap going on in this state. The judicial term limits thing is another one -- I wish people would get hopping mad about that little piece of work. And Beauprez is as awful as Pete Coors.

They've talked about those term limits in MA as well; the funny thing is their basing it on anger over one case, Goodridge, and if they actually looked at the court's body of work there would probably be more support.

That's getting off on a tangent though; the suggestions of this D.A. seem a bit odd. You're right on the trial example - I think once people see the long-term result of these tactics, they'll be a lot less supportive.

[AlphaFrog]

I don't think her problem was that DUIs were being plead out...I think her problem was with the terms of the plea. The full article said that DUI offenders were being plead out to minor traffic violations, so in order to curb that, she's saying no pleas. I obviously can't say for sure, but I think once things get more "under control" she might be willing to start offering pleas that actually fit the crime.

Also, there are alternative punishments for DUIs that don't crowd jails - such as community service, extended counseling/rehab hours, fines, etc. And I believe, in most states, that 1st time DUI offenders rarely are sentenced to jail.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I don't think her problem was that DUIs were being plead out...I think her problem was with the terms of the plea. The full article said that DUI offenders were being plead out to minor traffic violations, so in order to curb that, she's saying no pleas. I obviously can't say for sure, but I think once things get more "under control" she might be willing to start offering pleas that actually fit the crime.

Isn't this a knee-jerk reaction that plays right into what valkyrie is noting?

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Also, there are alternative punishments for DUIs that don't crowd jails - such as community service, extended counseling/rehab hours, fines, etc.

These would be much more similar to terms of a plea arrangement than an actual punishment for the crime as listed 'on the books' - this is entirely the point valkyrie is making.