May 27, 2010

What would you do?

John QuiƱones Co-Anchor of ABC News Magazine show Primetime has been hosting a segment called "What would you do?" which tests how individuals respond to ethical dilemmas through hidden camera scenarios. Last Friday night, his test involved a woman asking passerbys to blow into a ignition interlock for her.

The segment perpetuated some common misnomers:
  • Blowing into the device isn't simple. It usually involves performance of a specific sequence of exercises that are taught to offenders and not easily replicated to just any passerby.
  • Many new devices include cameras. The device takes a picture of the person blowing into the device. This information is transmitted to probation officers as part of their monthly report.
  • Most devices require running retests. Driver must often provide breath tests at regular intervals, preventing drivers from asking a sober friend to start the car. If a driver fails a running retest, the vehicle’s horn will honk and/or the lights will flash to alert law enforcement.

The failure to make these points aside, the segment provided stunning proof that some people still treat drunk driving cavalierly. It also proved that laws and enforcement of those laws remain a major deterrent to this crime.

3 comments:

VA Aunt said...

I am a family member that is outraged that a probation violator has been placed on a $2500.00 dollar bond ignoring the recommendation and facts provided to the court from the probation office.
Jennifer has been battling addiction to prescription drugs for the last 10 years.
The facts are that Jennifer was arrested for shop lifting and place on probation three weeks ago and placed on probation. She is a repeat offender of the justice system because of the choices she has made under the influence of narcotic drugs.
This past 3 weeks has escalated her behavior that shows that her abuse is endangering the public as well as herself. She was hospitalized last week after loosing consciousness' at a local convenience store. Jennifer was sited earlier this week Monday May 24th for an aggressive driving charge at a speed of 102 miles per hour. Her mother contacted the probation office to ask for assistance and help to have her daughter placed in custody without bond with a recommendation for a court ordered treatment in a treatment facility approved by the county.

The probation office was responsive and violated the terms of her probation after her drug testing showed opiates and other narcotics in her urine. Why did Judge Woodard not follow the recommendation of the probation office.

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is approaching and all of the alerts for drunk and drugged driving will be a hot topic. Millions of dollars are spent on sobriety check points and still deaths will occur.
The court in this case in my opinion has an opportunity to prevent these outcomes. Judge Woodard in my opinion has not shown respect or consideration for the welfare of the community or the the officers of the courts probation recommendation. court. The recommendations were not followed. Why have a probation officer make recommendations. This family is willing to participate in seeking the help from the court to avoid death for the offender and the community. When the court does not follow the simple requests outcomes are sometimes tragic. With all of the prescription drug abuse cases making headlines in Florida and the number of innocent children and families being injured and killed by drivers behind the wheel under the influence perhaps if Judge Woodard would have taken the time to review the findings from the probation office a better decision may have been rendered.

The family is not going to post this bond however we cannot control the need for more jail space, for more serious offences that have or will occur or someone that is friend or acquaintances of Jennifer
posting bond.
The family is going to place this question to the community in the ways that have been explained in this email, to see if the public agrees with our sincere concerns for our family member and that of the community

Sincerely,

Karen Imhoff
Ashburn, VA

VA Aunt said...

Good Morning

I wanted to voice my concern today of a decision that was made in the court of Judge Woodard Thursday May 26th 2010. I am a family member that is outraged that a probation violator has been placed on a $2500.00 dollar bond ignoring the recommendation and facts provided to the court from the probation office.
The facts are that Jennifer was arrested for shop lifting and place on probation three weeks ago and placed on probation. She is a repeat offender of the justice system because of the choices she has made under the influence of narcotic drugs.
This past 3 weeks has escalated her behavior that shows that her abuse is endangering the public as well as herself. She was hospitalized last week after loosing consciousness' at a local convenience store. Jennifer was sited earlier this week Monday May 24th for an aggressive driving charge at a speed of 102 miles per hour. Her mother contacted the probation office to ask for assistance and help to have her daughter placed in custody without bond with a recommendation for a court ordered treatment in a treatment facility approved by the county.

My concern is was she driving under the influence at the time of this citation? Why did Judge Woodard not follow the recommendation of the probation office.

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is approaching and all of the alerts for drunk and drugged driving will be a hot topic. Millions of dollars are spent on sobriety check points and still deaths will occur.
The court in this case in my opinion has an opportunity to prevent these outcomes. Judge Woodard in my opinion has not shown respect or consideration for the welfare of the community or the the officers of the courts probation recommendation. We all hear the stories in the news of how Judges make decisions that lead to deaths, rape, child abuse and other horrific outcomes. My intention is to send this email to the local MADD chapter the local news media, as well as the Chief Judges attention. I will also send this to the district attorneys' office for review.

This family is willing to participate in seeking the help from the court to avoid death for the offender and the community. When the court does not follow the simple requests outcomes are sometimes tragic. With all of the prescription drug abuse cases making headlines in Florida and the number of innocent children and families being injured and killed by drivers behind the wheel under the influence perhaps if Judge Woodard would have taken the time to review the findings from the probation office a better decision may have been rendered.

With all of the prescription drug abuse cases making headlines in Florida and the number of innocent children and families being injured and killed by drivers behind the wheel under the influence and yes victims also include the families of the offenders and the offenders themselves, why when the opportunity was presented did the court not do the next right thing. Why did Judge Woodard ignore the bond request no bond until hearing date unless offender agreed to a court supervised treatment facility, both the public and the addict would be safe.

The family is not going to post this bond however we cannot control the need for more jail space, for more serious offences that have or will occur or someone that is friend or acquaintances of Jennifer
posting bond.
The family is going to place this question to the community in the ways that have been explained in this email, to see if the public agrees with our sincere concerns for our family member and that of the community

Sincerely,

Karen Imhoff
Ashburn, VA

mcpavlik said...

The sad part is I have been fighting the fact that the judicial system, prosecuting attorney's plus in Wisconsin we have a treatment program called SSTOP and none of these people seem to care that drunk drivers can't not and do not follow the rulesof their sentence. I have called about one person in particular to alert the prosecuting attorney that this woman has violated several parts of her sentence and he passes the buck. I have talked with her case manager at the SSTOP program. She has violated most of those rules and there is no reprimand for these consequences. It clearly states in the SSTOP rules that any violation of the rules, the case manager is to alert the authorities. Guess what about 5 rules have been broken and nothing has been done. Plus she drives someone elses vehicle. No checks and balances to ensure that the ignition interlock is even installed. Any one know someone who can help!!!!! I am so sick and tired of people being easy on her. She needs, along with so many others, to be held accountable and made to take responsibility.