a public defender


It’s a mad, mad, M.A.D.D. world!

Posted on May 15, 2007 by Gideon

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Remember when, a few months ago, M.A.D.D. was at the state Capitol, drinking it up with state troopers to illustrate the dangers of drunk driving and pushing for stronger penalties? Amy D’Aniello was there, supporting M.A.D.D., taking breathalyzer tests, puffing into car ignition locks.

Guess where she was last night at 2:30am? Going 75 in a 45. Anyone want to guess what happened next?

Yep. DUI.

Note how M.A.D.D. immediately implements the “drinking problem” excuse:

“Our wish is that she seek some sort of rehabilitation, if she has a drinking problem” and the she obey the letter of the law, Margolis said.

Under a typical drunk driving arrest, D’Aniello would lose her driver’s license for 90 days, would have to attend pretrial alcohol education classes, complete a year of probation and attend a MADD impact panel, Margolis said.

The Courant news story doesn’t reveal what her BA level was; only that it was above .08.

I understand the driving force behind M.A.D.D. and at some level, I agree. People do need to be careful and not drive drunk. However, it is very easy to be over the legal limit, as Ms. D’Aniello probably discovered yesterday.

Maybe this gets them to rethink their hard-line stance for strict penalties just a little bit. Everything in moderation, be it drinking or sentences.

(with apologies to Stanley Kramer)

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4 Comments »

Comment by Woman in Black
2007-05-15 23:34:49

I don’t much know your local politics, but as a general principle, it makes me quite ill when some relatively privileged individual always in favor of locking up our clients for as long as possible screws up, then blames the very sort of thing that is mocked when our clients say it. Ala “I only wanted to molest boys because a priest molested me.” “I have a prescription drug addiction and that is why I was illegally buying other people’s scrips.” “I have a sex addiction and could not help myself.”

 
Comment by Windypundit
2007-05-16 00:32:56

Maybe this gets them to rethink their hard-line stance for strict penalties just a little bit.

It might make Amy D’Aniello rethink her stance on penalties, but I’m guessing that attending a “MADD impact panel” somehow involves MADD making money, so I don’t expect them to change their stance any time soon.

 
Comment by Gideon
2007-05-17 08:38:39

WIB: It’s bs when our clients say it; not when “respected” members of society say it.

In fact, a lot of times, our clients are the ones that have the history to back up such claims.

Windy: I suspect that’s true, but one can hope, right?

 
2007-12-03 05:40:19

Not only was she drink driving, but she was also speeding. It is always a shame when authority figures fall foul of the topic of their own preaching. It undermines the whole process of deterrent and prevention. An interesting story though!

 
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