Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site Shasta.ARPA
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!talcott!panda!genrad!decvax!decwrl!Glacier!Shasta!andy
From: andy@Shasta.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.flame,net.politics,net.legal,net.auto
Subject: Re: DWI Crackdowns
Message-ID: <7169@Shasta.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 30-Jul-85 05:08:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: Shasta.7169
Posted: Tue Jul 30 05:08:34 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Aug-85 06:09:49 EDT
References: <202@SCIRTP.UUCP> <378@kontron.UUCP> <586@ttidcc.UUCP> <237@SCIRTP.UUCP> <601@ttidcc.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Stanford University
Lines: 33
Xref: linus net.flame:10494 net.politics:9513 net.legal:1560 net.auto:6422

Regarding confiscation of drunk-driver tools:

There are two cases, the UZI window shopper (= drunk driver) is the
registered owner of the car or he isn't.  In the first case, no problem,
no wheels.  (The legal owner will take care of his end through insurance
paid for by the drunk.  Buying a new car on credit will be a bit tough,
but eventually assigned-risk pools will handle that as well.)  In the
second case, the car is either stolen or it isn't.  If it is, give the
car back to the owner and add grand theft auto to the DUI.  If it isn't
stolen, then confiscate the car.  (BTW - if I comitt a crime with an
otherwise legal firearm or other device, the game is played by rules
much like the above.)

I believe the above is too harsh for a first offense.  Driving
restrictions seem more appropriate.  Color-coded vehicles are
probably the best idea.  Require him to paint the car used in
the incident some designated way and restrict him to it for a
couple of months.

The only bug with the above is that some rich jerk will purposely run
around in cheap (for them) cars for the privledge of trying to kill us.
Perhaps the third offense should rate both penalties and a presumption
of intent for criminal liability.  Maybe even fines in % of net worth
for persistent (say five) convictions or application of habitual
criminal statutes in those states that have them.

-andy

decvax!decwrl!Glacier!Shasta!andy

Acceptance of this message by any retrieval device obligates the
owner of said device, or the sponsoring organization, to hold
the opinions expressed therein.