MADD, Tampa Criminal Attorney Agree Drunk Driving Incidents No Accidents; Should Be Punishable Under Serious Crimes

A Tampa criminal attorney might agree with MADD – Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers – in the recent case of Cleveland Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth, that his sentence was just not enough.  He received only 30 days in prison along with 1,000 hours of community service, 10 years probation and a “lifetime” bar against driving after striking and killing Mario Reyes, 59, who was running across a Miami Causeway early one morning in March of this year.

Money may be the reason for such light treatment of Stallworth.  Stallworth reached a financial settlement with the Reyes family prompting his attorney to say, “This is what the (Reyes) family wanted.”

Although Stallworth had a perfect driving record, along with countless publicized community sponsored service events, his blood-alcohol level on that morning was 50% over Florida’s legal limit.  Other mitigating circumstances included the fact that Reyes was jaywalking, that still does not justify Stallworth’s light treatment and sentencing.  Is it because of the financial settlement or is it his celebrity status?  Hundreds of deals just like this one have been made based on money and social status throughout the years because both money and status can talk and the judicial system will listen.

Criminal attorney Tampa, Florida probably agreed that it’s fine to consider the victim’s feelings when doling out punishments; however judges and prosecutors represent the public and their first duty is to protect others from drunken drivers.  In 2007, drunk drivers were responsible for 13,000 deaths nationwide.  A punishment that fits the crime should go to even the most remorseful, yet high-profile, character with deep pockets.

According to MADD officials, when celebrities or major athletes are involved in drunken driving incidents, the judicial system all too often sends a message that drunken driving is no big deal.

MADD officials contend that the real tragedy in this case, and others just like it, is not that one rich and famous football player managed to get off with an easy sentence; it is the mindset that treats drunken driving deaths as “accidents” rather than serious criminal actions.