College presidents want to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. Wrong! This will put more impaired drivers on the road.
There is no end to the drunken driving cases coming through my court. Over the years, we have seen fines increase astronomically, jail sentences extended, and the creation of felony classification for fifth or subsequent convictions. These efforts have had little effect on the problem.
I have come to the following conclusions:
1. Jail and prison sentences are not the answer. They are very costly to the taxpayers - first to incarcerate and second to keep building new jails and prisons to house them. To reduce jail costs, the Legislature has given the local sheriff the power to release violators from the jail to be monitored through electronic bracelets.
It has been suggested to the courts over and over that "we need to send a strong message to our community that drinking and driving will not be tolerated," or that some other terrible violation of the law will not be tolerated. The problem, as I see it, is that reckless, irresponsible drinkers or law violators do not internalize these sentences and act accordingly.
2. High and higher fines, costs and assessments also are not effective. Many fines go unpaid and the convicted violator drives without a license, creating more violations of the law.
3. We do not have enough treatment programs available and affordable to treat all those in need.
4. The loss of a drivers license causes job loss, which creates financial problems for families, loss of ability to pay child support, inability to find a new job, and inability to pay for treatment programs.
5. A return to prohibition would be helpful, but not possible to achieve politically. Prohibition also would create substantial other costs for law enforcement and the taxpayers, and violate the rights of responsible drinkers.
However, we as a society must find new and effective ways to control and eradicate this problem. We must think outside the box.
A substance abuse court (drug court) is part of the answer; however, it will only focus on a small number of offenders.
I suggest we consider limited prohibition. By that I mean:
1. Upon conviction for a second offense operating while under the influence of alcohol, the offender would lose the right FOR LIFE to enter a tavern or liquor store. The offender would lose the right to purchase alcohol beverages FOR LIFE.
Wisconsin ID cards or drivers licenses could be issued in a certain color. The color would indicate to taverns and liquor stores that the person with the colored ID card or drivers license has no right to be on the premises or purchase alcoholic beverages. Likewise, all sellers of alcoholic beverages would be prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages to holders of the colored ID card or drivers license.
2. Alcoholic beverages should be made less available. We should end all sales of alcoholic beverages in gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Package sales of alcoholic beverages should be prohibited from taverns. All package sales of alcoholic beverages should be restricted to liquor stores only.
3. Taxes on all alcoholic beverages should be raised substantially to create funds for treatment centers for alcoholics and drunken drivers. Treatment and counseling should be free.
It is time for society to find new ways to address the problem; the old ways are not working.
- Judge Harold V. Froehlich serves Circuit Court Branch IV, Outagamie County.
There is no end to the drunken driving cases coming through my court. Over the years, we have seen fines increase astronomically, jail sentences extended, and the creation of felony classification for fifth or subsequent convictions. These efforts have had little effect on the problem.
I have come to the following conclusions:
1. Jail and prison sentences are not the answer. They are very costly to the taxpayers - first to incarcerate and second to keep building new jails and prisons to house them. To reduce jail costs, the Legislature has given the local sheriff the power to release violators from the jail to be monitored through electronic bracelets.
It has been suggested to the courts over and over that "we need to send a strong message to our community that drinking and driving will not be tolerated," or that some other terrible violation of the law will not be tolerated. The problem, as I see it, is that reckless, irresponsible drinkers or law violators do not internalize these sentences and act accordingly.
2. High and higher fines, costs and assessments also are not effective. Many fines go unpaid and the convicted violator drives without a license, creating more violations of the law.
3. We do not have enough treatment programs available and affordable to treat all those in need.
4. The loss of a drivers license causes job loss, which creates financial problems for families, loss of ability to pay child support, inability to find a new job, and inability to pay for treatment programs.
5. A return to prohibition would be helpful, but not possible to achieve politically. Prohibition also would create substantial other costs for law enforcement and the taxpayers, and violate the rights of responsible drinkers.
However, we as a society must find new and effective ways to control and eradicate this problem. We must think outside the box.
A substance abuse court (drug court) is part of the answer; however, it will only focus on a small number of offenders.
I suggest we consider limited prohibition. By that I mean:
1. Upon conviction for a second offense operating while under the influence of alcohol, the offender would lose the right FOR LIFE to enter a tavern or liquor store. The offender would lose the right to purchase alcohol beverages FOR LIFE.
Wisconsin ID cards or drivers licenses could be issued in a certain color. The color would indicate to taverns and liquor stores that the person with the colored ID card or drivers license has no right to be on the premises or purchase alcoholic beverages. Likewise, all sellers of alcoholic beverages would be prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages to holders of the colored ID card or drivers license.
2. Alcoholic beverages should be made less available. We should end all sales of alcoholic beverages in gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Package sales of alcoholic beverages should be prohibited from taverns. All package sales of alcoholic beverages should be restricted to liquor stores only.
3. Taxes on all alcoholic beverages should be raised substantially to create funds for treatment centers for alcoholics and drunken drivers. Treatment and counseling should be free.
It is time for society to find new ways to address the problem; the old ways are not working.
- Judge Harold V. Froehlich serves Circuit Court Branch IV, Outagamie County.
