Why is M.A.D.D. targeting the first time DWI offender?
I have discussed before how Harris County Judges treat those accused with their first DWI. There are a lot of judges that will go beyond what the law requires when someone finds themselves in court for their first DWI like requiring a person to install the ignition interlock device when they are involved in an accident . Now MADD is pushing legislators to require anyone convicted of a DWI in Texas to get the ignition interlock device. This proposal is going too far. Our DWI laws already provide a substantial hardship for someone convicted of a DWI. MADD likes to point out recent deaths that involved repeat offenders driving a vehicle. In my opinion, relying on these instances is misplaced. Why punish the first time offender when there are programs in place to make sure this does not happen again such as the Victim Impact Panel that is usually led by a MADD representative, the DWI School, and the drug/alcohol evaluation that a person undergoes when they are placed on probation. Also, MADD overlooks that anyone that has an alcohol rate above rate over .15 when driving is required to place the device in their vehicle. Texas law adequately deals with repeat offenders by requiring a hard suspension (no occupational license) for those convicted of a subsequent DWI within five years. Additionally, DPS license suspensions increase for repeat offenders, MADD should focus their attention on someone other then the first time offender who usually has not been arrested before and is unlikely to re offend because of the traumatic experience of being arrested. I am sure the "Benjamins" have something to do with this new crusade.
If you need assistance with your first DWI case in the Houston, Texas area please contact our law firm at (713) 242-1779 or click here to visit our website.
After reading article it still does not say whether or not the first time offender will be relieved of their offense.
I agree that there should be a strict law enforced upon repeat offenders, but also note that experience is the best teacher. If the first time offender did not cause injury to themselves or anyone else, I believe that they should be given a second chance and also should seek some type of rehabilitation so that this incident will not occur again.
Most young people do not think about the consequences, but it is also an unfair hard punishment for the first time offenders. We are to learn from our mistakes, and not be beaten down loosing our self worth and being scared with a criminal record.
I am very upset with MADD. My son got a dwi and hurt no one. Not even himself, thank God. He complied with officers in a very respectful manor and has done everything he was required to do. He even attended aa and has not had a drink in 4 months. What upsets me about these women, sorry they lost someone to Drunk driver, is they are hurting many young people that are trying to make a life for themselves. In the ecconomy today it is hard enought to get work and with probation on their record it is virtually impossible to get a good job. One problem is they law and attornies scare them to death about jail. So the young person does all he can to stay our of jail and pays huge fines. To me this is entrapment. I would love to find an attorney or group to support my feelings.The state likes the fines and needs them especially right now. Not to mention what is given to MADD. If Madd wanted to stop all dwi's they would remover the borders of drinking. In Chicago with equal population of Texas, they don't equal the number of dwi's in Dallas alone.I want to know why Texas hasn't repealed the border line drinking? Please give me a group name that is against this horrible thing done to young people so I can join. My son is 22. Made a mistake and now he has something with him forever. Does it make these MADD mothers feel good to destroy someone of a first offense because of a death. I am sure at one time they all had too much to drink and drove, not that I think it is right. I am sick of them and their holy roller tactics.If you can help me I would love to find an attorney to help me sue the state for entrapment. I would like to stand up to these Madd mothers as well. They are hypocrits in my mind. Guess you can tell I am so angry.