Joseph C. Kreps, managing partner of Kreps Law Firm LLC, concentrates his practice on the defense of DUI and traffic violation cases in Sheffield, Alabama. With a new DUI law coming up in the Alabama State Senate, Mr. Kreps explains why new laws aren't necessary in Alabama:The statistics are clear. They show a downward trend in alcohol related traffic fatalities over the past two decades. An “alcohol-related” case can be one where an empty beer can was found in the car or outside of the case and does not necessarily mean that the driver was impaired. Current laws are working. In Wisconsin, DUI laws are not as strict as Alabama's, and almost half of Wisconsin's traffic fatalities involve alcohol.
Can this discrepancy be explained by enforcement practices? Does Alabama arrest more drivers for DUI? No. Wisconsin, with a similar population, arrests more than twice as many of its citizens for DUI. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published a study in 2006 that indicated Alabama had one of the lowest rates of impaired (drug or alcohol) driving in the country (11%, with the national average of 15% and a high, in Wisconsin of 26.4%). Simply, Alabama residents do not drink and drive as much as the rest of the nation.
Creating laws that simply mimic another state's laws, without looking at Alabama's specific problems is a waste of time and resources. Political grandstanding (to gain a law and order image) ends up putting an undue burden on those few of our citizens who have problems with alcohol. When current law suffices, there is no need to increase penalties beyond reason. Alabama and other states will never stop first-time and repeat DUI offenders unless we deal with the real problem – social and chemical addiction to alcohol. This requires a true desire to quit drinking and driving, as well as a shift in focus from penalization to education, treatment, and monitoring.
Too many people plead guilty when charged with a DUI, leading to lifelong consequences. Increased insurance rates, motor vehicle costs, jail time, fines, loss of driving privileges, and a criminal record are just a few likely results. By retaining experienced and knowledgeable counsel right away, some of these consequences can be avoided or reduced in severity. Kreps Law Firm DUI defense attorneys will guide you through the procedure, discuss your choices, and help you make decisions. Pleading guilty without representation is almost always a mistake.
Kreps Law Firm, LLC practices DUI defense statewide, including Sheffield, Alabama. Mr. Kreps supports education and treatment for those suffering from alcohol addiction. Simply increasing the tickets and penalizations for drunk driving crimes is not a long term solution; it turns an abuse problem into a dangerous criminal offense with life altering consequences. Conviction of a DUI leads to higher insurance rates, jail time, license suspension, fines, costs, extra motor vehicle costs, and can destroy current employment or future employment opportunities. A criminal record is not the solution to a cultural and biological problem.
Joseph C. Kreps is an Alabama DUI Defense Attorney who focuses on DUI and traffic violation cases throughout the state. Mr. Kreps is a Standardized Field Sobriety Test Practitioner and Instructor per NHTSAIACP guidelines. He is also a member of the National College for DUI Defense. To talk about your pending Sheffield, Alabama DUI charge, please call Kreps Law Firm, LLC at (866) 348-2889 .
