Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site pyuxii.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!pyuxww!pyuxii!tw8023
From: tw8023@pyuxii.UUCP (T Wheeler)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: DWI Innocent Victims per Levy
Message-ID: <169@pyuxii.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Jul-85 09:20:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: pyuxii.169
Posted: Tue Jul 30 09:20:12 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Aug-85 07:33:28 EDT
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J.
Lines: 41

Come on Levy, watch my lips.  The vehicles are confiscated from
the criminals only if they are the owners.  The powers that be
recognize that if the car or whatever is stolen that there is
an innocent victim and the property is returned as soon as
possible.  It is not that difficult in most cases to ascertain
the ownership of a vehicle.  

Not every case is as black and white e, however, and there will always
be mistakes.   Think about it, Levy, if someone steals your car, you
are the victim.  You don't have the use of that car as long as the
criminal is not caught.  If the criminal is caught, you get your
car back.  Isn't that better than never getting it back?  You have
been belaboring the point about innocent victims to the end that
there should be no confiscation of vehicles used in the performance
of a crime.  What then is your solution to getting the drunks off
the roads?  Talking to them has not worked, threatening them does
not work, fining them does not work, short jail terms do not work,
lifting their license does not work.  What then should be done?
I contend that confiscating their vehicle will at least help.
It's hard as hell to run someone down while drunk walking.  

The point you keep missing in all of this is that there has to be
some strong measures taken to fight DWI.  The problem has been
treated with kid gloves for too long and has never been given
the attention it now has.  I know of a police chief right here
in New Jersey who has been caught twice DWI in the last few
years, yet, he has never even received a slap on the wrist.
Automatic confiscation of both his car and his license would
certainly put a crimp in his activities.  Of course there has to
be some compassion meted out for his family who could be left
stranded because of his actions, but these cases could be handled
on an individual basis.  Something could be worked out like, OK
fella, you can keep the car for now, but if you are seen driving
that car for any reason other than a dire emergency, you go to the
slammer for a year.

Besides Levy, there are not as many innocent bystanders as you
may believe.  
T. C. Wheeler