Provided that it does not cause an accident, it would seem that drunk driving is a fairly minor crime. In fact, a first DWI charge in Texas is a misdemeanor, and some people who get arrested for DWI for the first time may even qualify for a pre-trial diversion program instead of the typical process of criminal charges and entering a plea. Repeat DWI offenses, on the other hand, are a very serious matter. A third DWI brings with it felony charges and the possibility of a long prison sentence. People with multiple DWIs have even been sentenced to life in prison because of their drunk driving. In 2016, Donald Middleton became the latest Texas defendant to receive a life sentence for multiple DWIs.
Donald Middleton and the Many DWIs
The first time Donald Middleton got arrested for DWI was in 1980, when he was 20 years old. Over the next few decades, he got seven more DWIs, and even though he went to jail four times for his drunk driving, he still had a valid Texas driver’s license at the time of his fateful drunken drive in 2016. The ninth time, Middleton’s drunk driving caused an accident, and this time, he happened to hit exactly the wrong car. The driver of the car with which Middleton collided was the 16-year-old son of Rowdy Hayden, a Montgomery County law enforcement officer. Although the younger Hayden survived the accident, Middleton fled the scene on foot. He was arrested shortly thereafter at a convenience store.
Yes, there was more to the story than just repeat DWIs. Judge Kathleen Hamilton sentenced Middleton to life in prison not only for repeatedly driving drunk, but also because of the hit and run. Middleton’s criminal record also included other charges, such as possession of cocaine.
Justice or Cruel and Unusual Punishment?
A life sentence for drunk driving sounds awfully harsh, but it has happened more than once in Texas. In 2015, Bobby Gene Martin was handed a life sentence after his 10th DWI. In addition to driving drunk, Martin also threatened retaliation against the officer who arrested him. Several years earlier, Rose Ann Davidson got a life sentence for her sixth DWI. Notably, Davidson had never caused an accident despite all of her drunk driving. She appealed her conviction on the grounds that it was cruel and unusual punishment. In other words, most of the time, when someone gets a life sentence for DWI, it is not just about DWI, but in Davidson’s case it was.
Contact Madrid Law About Your DWI Case
Most DWI defendants are not risking a life sentence, but hiring the right defense lawyer could have a big impact on the outcome of your DWI case. If you are facing DWI charges, even if they are just misdemeanor charges, you should exercise your right to consult an attorney. Contact Madrid Law in Houston to discuss your case.
