I've been watching this thread waiting to see if anyone would respond. I think I will try and do the best I can with a delicate situation.
Manslaugher 1st degree is a higher charge than vehicular homocide. It is one step down from Murder.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving have been trying for a long time to make DUII a more serious offense than people think it is. They try for ignition interlock, higher jail / prison sentences, and a .04 versus the .08 BAC legal limit to name a few. (Persons start showing effects of alcohol at a .04%). Everyone from transients and lawyers get DUII's. It is the most litigated crime in the nation. Look at the trial docket on a weekly basis and see how many DUII's come through.
Victims of DUII fight for harder punishment and awareness, people with money fight for lesser consequences.
Even after an incident like this, people just don't learn or think it will happen to them. One in seven DUII arrests will save a family. One in four on a weekend night after midnight or so is a DUII driver. More people are killed yearly in America by DUII drivers than the entire Iraq war to date. (all this info is available on the internet by government agencies stat pages)
The dead beat dad thing, I'm not sure. Don't know him, the family, or their circumstances. Seems pretty quick for that to happen.
The attorney's, well, people who try and capitalize on others misfortunes have a special place. Knowlingly defending a murderer and trying to help them get away with it should be criminal. I understand its a constitutional right, but the victim didn't have a trial before they became a victim.
My thoughts and prayers go out the families of all DUII victims.
