A big consideration is that what most of us actually see or hear in the media is barely half the picture. I feel deeply sorry for Ron Jeremy and I hope never to be in his or his family’s position and, Ron, I also apologise for picking up on your story. However – playing a game of devil’s advocate – I can think of mitigating circumstances to the defendant’s story. Perhaps she had received some bad news and had to get to somewhere quickly and driving – over the limit and against her better judgement – was the only option. Please don’t reply with the facts of the case; I am merely hypothesising.
Back – more or less – to the original post, accidents caused by drink driving are a serious crime but are still often accidents and are not up there with the pre-meditated and intentional hurt and suffering that can be caused by the murders, assaults, rapes etc that we all hear far too much of. Some may argue that getting into a car when knowingly over-the-limit is pre-meditated, but any accident that may result most certainly won’t be. I suspect there are many otherwise “decent” citizens locked up for causing a serious road accident by drink driving. I would also guess that their custodial sentence benefits no one other than the victims wanting retribution and I don’t believe that is what the justice system is here to serve. Guilt and remorse can be the worst punishment of all.
To put this in some personal perspective a friend of mine was brutally assaulted by a drunk and jealous boyfriend. She is now OK but it was a pretty horrible time for her, her family and her friends. Whilst the alcohol may have been the catalyst, the act for which he was tried was NOT accidental so this – in my opinion – is a much more serious crime.
