DUI Convictions Take a Toll
Court records show that the personal costs involved in DUI arrests
-- financial and mental -- are significant, the Washington Post
reported July 21.
To examine the effect of DUI arrests on the lives of ordinary citizens,
the newspaper reviewed the court records of 92 drivers arrested
one week during September. The majority of them were first-time
offenders. Most of the sentences involved the loss of their driver's
license for one year and significant fines. A few spent time in
jail.
Some individuals arrested for DUI ended up losing their jobs and
facing financial crises. Others suffered public embarrassment, such
as having to ask friends to drive them on errands or being unable
to coach Little League or be involved in other community activities.
"They look at me like I'm an alcoholic. Everyone looks at
me like I'm a criminal," said Cam Johnson, 32, who was arrested
for driving under the influence after attending a friend's birthday
party.
Others like Dondi Randolph, a plumber, suffered financial problems
after paying the fees associated with drinking and driving. In Virginia,
for instance, drunk drivers pay from $5,000 to $20,000 to pay for
car towing, restricted licenses, reinstatement of their regular
licenses, and an alcohol-education program.
"It was an expensive night," said Muktar Ali Yahia, 27,
who was arrested on DUI charges after drinking a couple of beers.
"And I never want to have a night like that again."
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