Fight A DUI

On July 1, 2007, a new set of DUI laws will take effect in Hawaii targeting repeat and serious offenders (those with a BAC of 0.150% or higher). Under the new law, suspects falling into the new category (either repeat offenders of very drunk at time of testing) will be forced to surrender their vehicle registration, plates, and drivers license at the time of arrest, and will be issued temporary plates until the case is reviewed. The driver will not be issued a new drivers license.

Additionally, there is a mandatory 6 month license suspension (maximum 12 months), minimum 48 hours of jail-time, 72 hours of community service, and a fine between $150 and $1000.

The new laws will likely be exercised heavily with increased DUI checkpoints and increased patrols for the 4th of July holiday period.

Boston.com tells the story of the sister of a Swansea, MA police officer killed by Wayne Smith (51), a volunteer firefighter, who was disappointed in the 5 year sentence issued by the judge this week. Last November, Smith had been drinking at a Fire Department fundraiser and crossed into oncoming traffic while driving home, killing Lieutenant Robert Cabral, a father of two boys.

“Drunken driving needs to be taken seriously, and it has not been,” Cabral’s sister, Josephine Lapre of Warren, R.I., said in a telephone interview yesterday after Smith was sentenced in New Bedford Superior Court. “Bobby never drank, ever. And Bobby’s death is only worth five years? I don’t understand that.”

Smith pled guilty, and could have faced up to 20 years due to his high BAC (over twice the legal limit), which qualified his offense as ‘extremely reckless’. Speaking in his defense, Smith apologized to the surviving family:

“I’d like to say that I’m just sorry for everything I’ve done, not only to the Cabral family, everyone that’s involved, but to the courts,” Smith said, his voice breaking. “I made a big mistake. Whatever you do to me, I think about it every day.”