Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-08-20
WALDO BREAKERS
Of LAW FARE
NOT so WELL THERE

Especial to the Kennebec JournaD
Belfast, Me-, Aug. 19-The fact is
gradually seeping into the minds of
lawbreakers that Waldo County,
Maine, is no place for drunken or
reckless drivers, moonshiners or
boot-leggers and the men who a,
largely responsible for this condi-
ton are Sheriff Frank A. Little
field and Carleton Doak, Judge OF
the Municipal Court
1t is just two years yesterday
since Judge Doak heard his first
case in the Belfast Municipal Court.
In that two years he has allowed
but one drunken driver to get off
without Jail sentence and in that
case because of eXtenuating circum-
stances he imposed a fine Of $400
which was promptly paid. In this
connection Judge Doak says he IS
making special effort to stop
drunken and reckless driving en-
tirely in Waldo County and break
ers of this law may expect no leni-
ency from him. The Revised Motor
Vehicle Laws, state that the fine
for reckless driving is 5000 or three
months in Jail or both. with $500 and
II months for the second offense.
the minimum to be not less than
5000. The minimum for drunken
driving is 500 and the maximum is
$1,000 with from 80 days to II
months in Jail. Owing to the large
number of accidents caused by
reckless and drunken driving Judge
Doak is determined to stop 1t and
the fullest extent of the law will be
meted out.
In the two years of his Office he
has tried Is drunken drivers. from
which $4,000 has been paid in flnes
and is months in Jail has been
served, making an average of $3.50
and 80 days per case.
Owing. to his fearlessness In
melting out justice and treating all
alike, Judge Doak has incurred the
enmity of many and receives
threatening letters constantly. bur
he Is dauntless and continues to act
according to his convictions. ffe
goes armed, however, and is one of
the best pistol shots in the county.
Waldo County is becoming dryer
every day and during the past two
years there has been but "a cases
before Judge Doak for intoxication.
while in years gone by that many
would be arrested in as many
weeks.
In the two years 900 gallons or
liquor have been seized and de-
stroyed; seven stills have been con-
f1scated and put out of business;
seven years of Jail sentences have
been imposed on convictions. not
including those who. have gone TO
States Prison on cases appealed or
bound over to the Supreme Court.
More than $4,000 has been paid into
the State, County and city for fines,
including fees and costs paid direct
to deputy sheriff and other officers.
The total number of criminal
cases coming before the court in the
two years just past are $50 with
300 civil cases, making a total Of
$50 cases heard by Judge Doak in
730 days, and after taking out the
holidays and Sundays, 1t comes
down to pretty nearly a case a day.
Judge Doak has no recorder in his
court, and Is obliged to draw up ALI
his own papers. keep all his records,
write his own letters, in fact be his
own private secretary. stenographer,
bookkeeper and cashier as we'll as
Office boy and janitor. He says he
practices law In order to afford to
be judge and works his farm, three
miles from the city, all he can afford
to, walking three miles night anc
morning to keep in physical con-
dition.
He never makes out a warrant fol
arrest unless he is reasonably sure
the party Is guilty and during his
two years in Office he has patched
up many a domestic quarrel and
acted as peacemaker when possible.