Evening star., 1934-07-18
PRETTYMAN ASKS
JAIL SENTENCES
INDRUNK DRIVING
Prosecutors to Urge Judges
TO InfIiCt Heavier Pen
aIties Here.
MERE DRINKING CHARGE
TO BRING FINE OF $100
Driver Who Has Had Drink or
Two to Face Charges
Under Plan.

Jail sentences instead of fines foi
persons convicted Of driving while
drunk will be recommended to Police
Court judges by prosecutors acting for
Corporation Counsel e. Barrett Pret-
lyman.
Definite orders TO this effect were
issued today by Prettyman to Stanley
De Neale, assistant corporation counsel
nj Police Court. Prettyman's action
has the full approval Of the District
Commissioners and places in effect
his campaign TO reduce the menace
10 life and property from drunken
drivers.
In sharply -wolded statement
about mixing drinking with driving
Prettyman told De Neale he who
drinks and then drives is a potential
killer" and that this calls for drastic
action on the part of prosecuting OFF,
cials.
Seeks Heavier Penalties.
Prettyman also instructed his as
eistents TO seek heavier penalties for
persons convicted of traffic offenses in
which liquor plays a part but where
the evidence does not warrant prose-
cution on drunken-driving charge.
Discussing the increase in intoxi-
Gated drivers, Prettyman stated:
This is a serious problem, and
one In which we as prosecuting off,
cials bear a heavy responsibility, not
only in the prosecution of offenders,
after the damage is done. but in the
prevention of injury and damage from
this cause, In so far as our power per-
mits. II 1t is possible. by any means
available. TO stop this practice, we
must do it.
"Legalization of liquor did not es-
tablish any right to endanger the pub
lie through operation of dangerous
vehicles while drunk. Moreover, vio-
lation of the law which prohibits driv-
ing while under the influence of liquor
is not an offense into which a person
falls by accident. He who drinks and
then drives is potential killer from
the moment he makes up his mind
TO take the chance. He makes de-
iiberate choice. The plain duty Of
the law is to place in that choice q
controlling preventive.
Would Prohibit Danger.
Prosecution which depends for its
success upon the word intoxicated or
under the influence of liquor will not
meet the problem. Driving after
drinking creates the danger we must
prohibit. There is a difference in de-
gree in the offenses, which we must
recognize. but we must try to prevent
all grades of this type of violation.
Therefore. in the future when per-
sons who are charged with driving
while drunk are convicted, our assist
ants at Police Court are hereby in
structed to urge the court with all
possible emphasis to impose Jail sem
tences. In traffic offenses in which
liquor is present as a factor. but not
to the extent that 'intoxication' is
proved. you will urge the court either
to impose jail sentence or to i'm
pose fines of not less than 500; for
example, reckles driving case where
the driver has had a drink or two but
is not intoxicated as that term is
generally defined.
Promises TO Do Duty.
Frankly, ! fully realize this pro-
gram may let us in for many and
powerful pleas for exceptions and
modification. Offenders in this class
of cases are not limited to the less
powerful or influential. But the Of
fense Is the same, the danger is the
same, and our duty is the same. Our
protection against the pleas and de-
mands is that We shall announce our
policy publicly and whoever there
after deliberately drinks and then
drives, deliberately, with his or her
eyes wide open, chooses to risk Jail
sentence. You will remember that
this was specific provision of the
OLD law. Its salutary effect must be
revived and reinstated.
while this program may seem Sc
we're, it is applicable only to persons
who refuse to obey the law and by
endangering their fellow citizens for
felt any claim to sympathy. There
may, Of course be varying circum-
stances owing to the nature of the
offenses or doubt as to the actual
facts, These you will consider. but
beyond that this class of traffic Of
fender is not to be Shown any con-
sideration. His offense is a serious
menace to life and property at al