Good idea or Bad idea?

In My Humble Opinion
1

http://m.walb.com/autojuice?targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walb.com%2Fstory%2F16610503%2Fproposed-dui-law-would-erase-record-after-5-years
Do you think this is a good idea or bad idea? I personally think it’s good and can give some people second chances…what do you think?

2

Not enough detail to entice me to your link

3

From the link.

Good idea, I think, but I also think DUI penalties are a bit draconian.

4

Bad idea. The typical DUI driver probably goes more than 5 years without getting caught in the first place. The amount of time that passes does nothing to convince me they’ve stopped drinking and driving. Not that the DUI laws are all that good, but this change won’t improve the situation. OTOH, I can’t see it making it worse either, so maybe I should reconsider.

5

Oh HAYEL no! “One mistake shouldn’t keep them from getting jobs” blah blah blah as the article says? Screw that. Somebody else’s “one mistake” shouldn’t result in innocent people dead, but it happens every day because of drunk assholes who get behind the wheel. Someone merely convicted of a DUI is someone who was lucky enough to not hurt or kill someone else the day they decided they were above the law and started the ignition while impaired.

Their “second chance” is not getting thrown in prison for years on end. Millions of people have NEVER drove under the influence – can they get their other traffic infractions removed for obeying the law? Didn’t think so.

6

Hear in Rhode Island a traffic infraction can be forgiven in you have a clean driving record for 3 years. I sort of agree with most of your post though.

7

The link give someone like me no information about what state this is in. But I will point out that this is normal; IIRC 7 years in CA and NV.

I am a fan of this idea in general but have no specific opinion on how many years is sufficient. Five years sounds okay. One DUI is not like the other, but generally, the really problem people get multiple in the 5 year period. And I think that a second one within the period resets it to another 5 years.

8

Now I don’t get that. Why doesn’t the second one reset to a lifetime?

9

Of course they can. Here’s how NJ does it. States assess points for traffic infractions and allow people to deduct points over time in various ways.

Simple, like the Points system, keep track of all DUI infractions, but don’t have it show on your “official record” after a set period of good behavior. A second infraction, at any time, puts you down as a habitual offender, which will not expire.

Carrot and Stick. You don’t necessarily get better results with Stick and Bigger Stick.

10

Exactly. If one mistake shouldn’t keep them from getting jobs, then shouldn’t the legislature make it illegal to have the restriction in the hiring policies, rather than give DUI felons such an easy out??

hh

11

And millions have driven under the influence…myself included. I would like to think that if I’ve made the needed changes in my life that I could get a second chance.

12

I think this is the real issue. I feel that a lot of the legal database should not be so easily accessed by the general public.

13

Nitpick: I think the OP and the article are talking about misdemeanors, not felonies. Felony DUI usually = multiple separate offenses or else someone died.

Unless I’m wooshed.

14

I imagine re-conviction rates are lower with drink-driving as the guys (it’s always guys) I’ve met who’ve been caught always felt like assholes and didn’t do it again. In the UK it’s within 10 years that being re-convicted leads to a guaranteed prison sentence and the only guys I’ve met who’ve been caught multiple times said I drive better when I’m drunk. :smack: