Drunk Driving: Government Cash Cow

From The Salina [Kansas] Journal of June 16, 2006. I have deleted the personally identifying information of those Convicted or Diverted, because it doesn’t matter: The Salina Kansas Municipal Court, like so many Courts around the country, exists primarily to raise revenue for the government, not to achieve justice. As you go through the list below, note how ALL of the second offenders get only 5 days in jail and have to pay a bunch of money to the city. It doesn’t matter how drunk they were, how many lives they endangered, what their chemical and criminal history is. Five days and lots of money for city coffers. First offenders, Diversion (diversion = avoid jail & avoid “Weekend Intervention”)? Less money, but again, all that other stuff matters not. What matters is the money. Fork it over, and you can drive drunk all you want, with minimal consequences.

The “Weekend Intervention”, evaluations, and stuff like that? Guaranteed employment for friends of the government in the industry that has grown around America’s drinking problem and the legal system that enables it for revenue. Do those programs work? Sure, occasionally in individual cases. But the main thing they work to do is to funnel money to those feeding at the government trough, and create the illusion (as long as one isn’t paying attention) that something is being done. Is there any requirement that these programs work? Heck no, that sort of thing can be dispensed with when you’re a friend of the government. Just ask Halliburton.

As Bob Dylan said in his song "Hurricane":

Couldn't help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land
Where justice is a game.

TLC
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Salina Kansas Municipal court

DUI CONVICTIONS --
second conviction, one year in jail, probation granted for one year after serving five days, $1,000 fine, $40 court costs, $150 alcohol evaluation fee.

six months in jail, probation granted for one year after attending Salina Weekend Intervention Program, $500 fine, $40 court costs, $150 alcohol evaluation fee.

six months in jail, probation granted for one year after attending Salina Weekend Intervention Program, $500 fine, $40 court costs, $150 alcohol evaluation fee.

second conviction, one year in jail, probation granted for one year after serving five days, $1,000 fine, $40 court costs.

six months in jail, probation granted for one year after serving 48 hours, $500 fine, $150 alcohol evaluation fee.

second conviction, one year in jail, probation granted for one year after serving five days, $1,000 fine, $40 court costs.

six months in jail, probation granted for one year after attending Salina Weekend Intervention Program, $500 fine, $40 court costs, $150 alcohol evaluation fee.

six months in jail, probation granted for one year after attending Salina Weekend Intervention Program, $500 fine, $40 court costs.

second conviction, one year in jail, probation granted for one year after serving five days, $1,000 fine, $40 court costs, $150 alcohol evaluation fee.

second conviction, one year in jail, probation granted for one year after serving five days, $1,000 fine, $40 court costs.


DUI DIVERSIONS -- The following people were granted diversion from prosecution for driving under the influence. Unless otherwise stated, each was ordered to perform 20 hours of community service and to pay a $500 fine and $40 court costs:


[Three people identified in the article]