Partially it is the intolerance of anyone under the influence and
what they can get away with charging. Makes DA's look good tough on
crime etc. Also raises lots of dough for local municipality etc.
Plus the fact that some of these are usually plea dealed down it
gives them a stronger hand to start with.
My sons companion a few months ago was pulled over and given three
tickets. No license (which he will agree with) improper lane change,
and finally driving under the influence. (He is a disabled vet and
takes a few meds to deal with injuries etc.)
Small town, and they are notorious for this kind of thing. Local
judge found him guilty on all three. (Even though he gave evidence
of prescriptions for all of these etc.)
Is appealing sentence, and DA is saying they will probably deal on a
few of the charges as some seem improper etc. So even though they go
crazy doing this a good DA will weed through these and make them
better. (all though it will still add money to the coffers)
Stewart
At 07:32 PM 1/27/2010, you wrote:
Speaking to the negative drug test result. I'm still on the
side that cell phone or other similar electronic devices used while
driving should be charged with the same harshness as DUI. If
someone is killed due to the use, it should also be charged the
same as killing while under the influence. I think they call it
here in Washington State, vehicular manslaughter.
While I agree we can't regulate stupidity, we can regulate
actions stemming from that stupidity.
However, I have to admit, the DUI laws in Washington state
have gone totally wacky. We have instances of people charged with
DUI while on bicycles. Others charged with DUI while asleep in
their parked cars because they had their keys with them and were
considered "in physical control of the vehicle", even though it was
stopped, parked and off. I think Washington state is striving for a
return of those blue laws, or where they called dry laws. I don't remember.
Jeff Miles
jmile...@charter.net
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