Hit with a DWI, many pick jail [TEXAS]

Houston Chronicle ^ | Sept. 23, 2006 | BRIAN ROGERS

[Dubya]

So you had a few drinks too many and, for the first time in your life, got pulled over on your way home.

The prosecutor offers a simple deal: Instead of going to trial, you can plead guilty to driving while intoxicated and get probation. That's an easy one, right?

For a surprising number of first-time DWI offenders in Harris County, however, the choice isn't so clear.

Facing the stiff costs and strict rules that come with probation, thousands of convicted drivers in recent years have decided spending time behind bars is the better option.

And in a county already struggling with crowded jails, that's a disturbing trend. Sentences can be short enough to mean losing only one weekend and a vacation day, but some end up behind bars as long as half a year.

[razorback-bert]

This is no rumor, Hobbs' radio was talking about the shortage of workers in Lea Co. due to testing.

I thought it was due to drugs, but the guy said, "no, it is due to the alcohol policy."

[elkfersupper]

the guy said, "no, it is due to the alcohol policy."

In the words of my Uncle Charlie (the former black sheep of the family before me) "Ain't that the s@#ts"!

[caresistance]

Exactly.....with a reasonable thresh hold (.10?) people support drunk driving laws, when the pendulum swings to far, the backlash begins.

[daybreakcoming]

while the law keeps slapping the hands of the hardcore drunks who shouldn't be out on the road.

Now that is about the only thing I've read here that I agree with. You read about the drunk drivers with half a dozen arrests who are still driving - still wrecking. Maybe they did have their license suspended but their families and friends are still knowingly letting them drive - even loaning them their vehicles.

Drunken sots just don't get my sympathy.....whether you just left your country club or the local redneck bar.

[jpsb]

LOL, self right aren't you. Yall modern day prohibitionist's(girly do-gooders) are a pain in the ass. Enjoy the police state you have created with all it's "if it saves just one life","It's for the children" laws. This used to be the land of the free until yall do-gooder girly men got elected and turned the usa in a nanny police state.

[MAWG]

Couldn't possibly agree with you more. I'm sick of their self righteous crap. They are doing WAY more harm than good. This country REALLY screwed up when it let women vote and sit on juries.

[the Original Dan Vik]

"LOL, self right aren't you. Yall modern day prohibitionist's(girly do-gooders) are a pain in the ass. Enjoy the police state you have created with all it's "if it saves just one life","It's for the children" laws. This used to be the land of the free until yall do-gooder girly men got elected and turned the usa in a nanny police state."

I asked one simple question, which I will repeat for you: Where is it written that you have a right to 'drink 2 or 3 beers' and then go operate a piece of heavy machinery?

[motzman]

Thankfully, I'm immune to guilt.