Sobriety check point, whadda think??

[George2615]

A roadblock a 1/2 mile from the bar at midnight Saturday is OK by me. But they can get ridiculous with them.

That's like putting the fox in front of the henhouse just waiting for the door to open. I think its called entrapment.

I don't see where slowing down to drive through a checkpoint is in any way a search or detainment. You get a far greater search and detainment at any airport.

Quote by
California, I wonder if automatically forfeiting the car for every DUI conviction would get the drunks off the road. Or if that's too drastic, confiscation along with every one-year suspension.

Some states do confiscate vehicles for drug arrests. Maybe if a habitual drunk driver lost a vehicle they would not drive drunk. But then they would just go lease a car and not own one. I think penalties need to be stiffened.

 

[midlf]

I wonder if automatically forfeiting the car for every DUI conviction would get the drunks off the road. Or if that's too drastic, confiscation along with every one-year suspension. I think with that on the books we would see greater use of 'designated drivers' instead of the drunk operating the car.

Present methods don't seem to stop the drunks from driving.

As someone stated previously, they will just buy a beater and keep driving, or borrow a car (which should be confiscated anyway). If they haven't learned from the first bust, they won't learn from a second.

For a 1st offense it should be a short jail stay, say 3-5 days. Not enough to inflict real hardship but enough to get the idea across. Second offense, more serious jail time, like 3-12 months, maybe with work release. Third offense, 3 years prison, for sure felony at that level.

 

[CDsdad]

I understand entrapment. If the cops know a bank is being robbed and wait outside and catch the theif, is that entrapment? Everybody leaving the bar ain't drunk and everybody leaving the bank ain't a thief, but we'll do whatever it takes to get the bank robber. Drunk driving is just as much a crime as bank robbing, especially if a drunk hits somebody and kills them.

My actual point before was that common sense should be used in the placement of the roadblocks. Around here, a state or county road checkpoint headed toward a rural area will catch a lot more than say I-20 coming out of Jackson, MS.

Penalties are too light also. I have a cousin who served 1 year of 5 for felony DUI. Ten years and 3 kids later, he's probably going to get 20 years for grand larceny he committed to support his meth habit. Now if he'd done his full five years for being drunk, he might not be a dopehead.

I feel worse for the wife and kids than him. Regardless, now the state of MS will feed his sorry carcass, and I'm sure the wife and kids will get assistance.

 

[Sigarms]

Ten years and 3 kids later, he's probably going to get 20 years for grand larceny he committed to support his meth habit. Now if he'd done his full five years for being drunk, he might not be a dopehead.

Got news for you. If you don't learn your "lesson" after ONE DAY in jail (after you've been booked, "processed" and name in the paper), you never will.

Some people, for whatever reason, are a lost cause to us here on this earth.

 

[CDsdad]

I'd agree to a point Sigarms, but I also have read of countries where crime is lower because they cut off a hand or finger for stealing, instead of make you pick up paper on the side of the road. I also agree only so much can be done by man on this earth to deter crime. I'm glad there is a better place waiting.

Fortunately, most of my family is on the right side of the law. They say if there aren't any black sheep you know of in your family, then you must be it.

 

[Sigarms]

Agreed, as long as you tried, thats all you can do.

 

[dmccarty]

Fortunately, most of my family is on the right side of the law. They say if there aren't any black sheep you know of in your family, then you must be it.

Good one! That had me laughing!

Later,
Dan

 

[Paddy]

LMTC,

You are correct! If they can determine a driver needs stoped as they drive by, go for it. But to pull over everybody is living in Soviet Union.

To the suporters of pull overs
I wonder when the day comes and big brother determines guns have killed enough, will you be so happy to allow for your home to be searched or hands checked for powder or 10 year old walmart receipts to be checked for a "previous" amo buyer. There are many things we could do to make life safer;

NO
guns
cars
red meat, now that hurts!
tractors
certainly no travel with out permits
dogs over 50 lbs
boating after dark
camp fires
sharp tools
sugar
self employment
telephones



The cost of freedom is having risks of others having the same freedom as you.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Quote: As far as where are you going/have been questions, I politely told one at 7 pm on a Friday evening that it was none of his business. He proceeded to attempt to lecture me on the necessity of himself and his roadblock. I told him(not so politely) to shut up or write a ticket.

No tag light in Wayne County MS costs $47.68. He did shut up though.

Judge threw it out when I went to courthouse to dispute, said it was bull and not worth his time.


Look at the abuse of authority in retaliation for sticking to your rights. You paid in TIME for the officers power trip.
Larry

 

[Bill Barrett]

Ok, my take on this is allot like the gun issue. We all take a hit on our freedom while people who are wrong doers and criminals get a slap on the hand. Go to any city and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see who is selling drugs. What the h%$& is with illegal aliens that no one wants to upset. How many multiple DUI drivers are still driving because of money and a good lawyer? Now the wife and I are out to dinner, shopping , paying taxes, and have to be detained? Sorry about the rant, by the way there have been many cops in the family that this p/o's too.