It is redundant to use in the same sentence.
I am not saying that this isn't a serious issue (it most certainly is). My point is rather, that if this is such a danger, there should be a zero strike rule; get caught, and it is felonious.
The fact that it is not, and we constantly hear about recidivism with respect to DUI/DWI cases. Leads one to believe that 'the system' doesn't WANT to have these people behind bars.
Just my 1/50th of a dollar...
Our legal system has been ruined by yahoos stirring up panic and passing mandatory sentencing laws such as this.
Sentences should be passed down by judges / juries, not politicians. When these hack prosecutors and the zealots at MADD complain, that's a good thing.
When a person is caugh drunk driving, impound the car and confiscate it. Afdter making payments on a debt and no car they will wake up soon enough.
I post this every so often when the message seems relevant, sort of as a memorial to Mom, as well as to let people know what the justice system is really like.
December 5th, 2001, my mother, Shirley Norkunas, was killed in a car wreck. She was on her way to a Dr.'s appointment. The roads and weather were clear, it was about 9 in the morning, the place was just south of Superior, WI on State Hwy 35. She was driving north toward Superior.
A fellow named Thomas Frankot was heading south that morning, driving on a suspended license. He apparently fell asleep, crossed into my mother's lane, she was killed instantly in the resulting crash.
Thomas Frankot lived. He is essentially judgement proof, with very few assets.
He, after much wrangling, finally pled guilty in September 2002 to driving after suspension and driving left of center.
Previous relevant citations (there are half a dozen or so others). You can find them at the following website-
http://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl
DWI
DWI/OAS (Operation After Suspension)
OAS
No Valid License
OAR (Operation after Revocation)
OAR
That was six offenses BEFORE he killed Mom, so you know he was really in trouble this time.
Was he ever.
He was fined $363, license suspended for six months, and given sixty days to pay.
That's not even the funny part.
He has not paid the fine for driving with a suspended license, even though over four years, much less the sixty days have lapsed.
I asked the clerk of courts what happens when the fines aren't paid.
They suspend his license.
Now, that's justice for ya.