When you think about someone getting stopped for DWI, what is the first image that comes to your mind? You are probably imagining a young person getting pulled over while driving home after a night of partying, and the driver is very surprised to find him or herself in handcuffs. You are not too far off base with this mental image. A disproportionate number of DWI arrests are for people younger than 25, and many of them have never been arrested before. In fact, first-time DWI offenders with no other criminal record make up such a big portion of Texas DWI cases that Texas now offers a pre-trial diversion program to steer young, otherwise law-abiding drunk drivers toward addiction treatment and away from the criminal justice system.
Of course, not all DWI cases fit that mold. Sometimes it really is just a matter of young people being young and foolish. Recently, some people in positions of authority, such as cops and school principals, have set a bad example by driving drunk.
High School Principal Gets Second DWI
Jason Childress of Haslett, Texas had recently accepted a position as principal of a high school when he received his second DWI arrest. He ran a yellow light, and his car collided with another vehicle in the intersection, causing injuries for the other driver. In addition to his job as a principal, Childress had recently accepted a position as the athletic director for the school district. His first DWI arrest was in 2012, at which time he pleaded no contest and received a sentence of 15 months of probation and 40 hours of community service.
Austin Police Officer Stopped for DWI
Shawnn Williams, a corporal with the Austin Police Department, got a DWI when he was driving his red Corvette at 65 miles per hour on a city street. He was arrested after refusing a breathalyzer and field sobriety tests. While it was Williams’ first time being pulled over for DWI, it was not the first time he has run into trouble regarding drinking and driving. In 2013, the Austin Police Department suspended him when he did not write a report after pulling over a drunk driver who was below the legal drinking age.
Waco Police Officer Gets DWI
Patrick McKnight, a member of the Waco Police Department, was pulled over for driving drunk just outside Waco. He was not on duty at the time of his arrest. McKnight spent the night in the McLennan County jail after his arrest, and the Waco Police Department placed him on leave while his case is pending.
Contact Madrid Law About DWI Cases
DWI can happen to anyone, whether you are a foolhardy twenty-something who thinks you can drive drunk without attracting the attention of law enforcement or whether you are the kind of authority figure whose job it is to stand in the way of such foolish behavior. Contact Madrid Law in Houston if you are facing charges for driving while intoxicated.
