WILL THE CALIFORNIA COURT MAKE KIEFER SUTHERLAND A PRIMARY DUI EXAMPLE?
Lea Anna Cooper
To make Kiefer Sutherland a major example of the DUI laws of California, with a conviction of a year or more, would be unreasonable in contrast to the sentence that Paris Hilton received. Kiefer was NOT driving without a license, whereas Paris was, stemming from her previous offenses. Paris did this as a habit, believing she could stomp on the all the driving regulations, because of her social status. Kiefer, on the other hand, must learn that not every street in California is like being on the set of “24,” and he just cannot make a U-turn anywhere he chooses, without thinking about the consequences first.
Another major detail in comparisons is that Paris Hilton does not DO anything, or she did not do anything. She is only trying to fulfill commitments now because she needs to keep face with the public, as far as following up with the promises she made. However, she is the only recent contrast I can think of at this time. In the case of Kiefer Sutherland, though, the distinguishable difference in his occupational and contract responsibility, as well as other commitments to FOX is a far cry from ‘doing nothing but spending the evenings drinking and partying.’
From former comments made by Kiefer, he stated that even though he does drink heavily at times, he has never been late for a call ‘on the set of “24”.’ He has unquestionably shown his sense of trustworthiness and contract loyalty to FOX.
There is an enormously large distinction in the way Kiefer is incredibly committed to his position as a representative of “24” for FOX television, still ranking high on the list of ‘preferred performers,’ as compared to the somewhat ‘Bad Girls of Hollywood.’ The characteristic of this is that Kiefer is not publicly whining about getting stopped, is not going out and drinking even more or driving without a license, hitting people’s cars in parking lots, then leaving the scene without so much as a note for point of contact. Kiefer has never impressed me as being a dishonest man with a cold and callus heart.
Would all of this mean that he should be treated any differently than the others, and that he was not being responsible that night? That would depend on whether or not a license suspension would be something more suitable, as opposed to a longer term in the slammer. Granted, he should have taken the ride in the staff car that was offered to him, but he is not the only one who has ever refused a ride. Had he not made that illegal U-turn, he may not have been stopped at all, unless he was weaving.
What all of this is saying, is that it would be rather unfair for Kiefer Sutherland to be prosecuted and receive a longer jail sentence than the ‘Hollywood Bad Girls.’ Their addition of drugs mixed with alcohol categorizes and evolves these ladies into walking, talking, driving ‘BIOHAZARDS,’ which will end up inducing Psychotic episodes. Biohazards are considered a risk to human beings or their environment, especially one presented by a toxic or infectious agent. I’m certain that Britney Spears can relate to this. She’s not infectious, but she most certainly is very toxic.
Thousands of DUI convictions in the State of Michigan have led to license revocation and the confiscation of either the license plates or the motor vehicles. There are plethoras of customers for the DOT (Department of Transportation), and the bus lines are being kept very busy.
Should it be necessary for Kiefer Sutherland to attend sessions for abusing the use of alcohol? Well, after completing an internship with the county prosecutor’s office, I’d say that would be a ‘NO.’ If this were the case, it is my firm conviction that no less than seventy-five percent of the population of the U.S. would also have to follow that same example. It doesn’t make any difference if a man such as Kiefer is attending a function at FOX, or if there is a large group of men and/or women attending a ‘tailgate party’ at a football game, polishing off no less than twenty cases of their favorite brew. Drinking is drinking, period. Multiply this across the nation, and the figure of seventy-five percent sounds about right. They would ALL need to seek treatment in one form or another.
Am I being prejudice because I’m a woman, and he’s a man? Absolutely not. Everything concerning DUI’s that is true for a man, holds true for a woman.
Would I be considered prejudice because I’m a “24” fan? No, because Paris’s fans saw the way she did NOT have consideration for ‘anything’ that was right or wrong. She didn’t have the intelligence to look in her wallet for her driver’s license. Why would anyone have to ask if or not they’re able to drive, or if or not they have an available license? Couldn’t it be that Paris was not looking because she just ‘didn’t care?’ Maybe she should have appeared in court the first time, instead of letting her ‘staff’ handle everything. It’s called ‘TAKING RESPONSIBILITY’ for your life’s actions.
At any rate, since Kiefer Sutherland is committed under his contract to film ‘X’ amount of episodes of “24” then it would be logical to let him stay dedicated to that obligation. Any judge who would be so insolent as to send him off to jail right now would be jeopardizing his contract with FOX, and this alone could damage him very badly. I for one do not desire to see him hurt that way. Considering the charges, if I was the judge I would ‘require him to be in court,’ then snatch his license from him for one year. Then to return it thereafter and he would be on 5-year probation; OR ‘require his presence in court’ and put him on a ‘restricted license’ to and from work only for 3 years, and for everything else, he would be required to employ a staff driver.
Warm regards…your friend ‘Inside Daisy Clover.’
As far as the differences between how the State of Michigan handles their DUI cases and the laws of Michigan verses California, people may use the chart below for their own states to compare.
Following are the penalties for Operating While Intoxicated in the State of Michigan
FIRST OFFENSE
Misdemeanor: One or more of the following:
Up to 93 days in jail
$100-$500 fine
Up to 360 hours of community service
30/150-day license restriction and suspension
Six points on the driving record
Court may immobilize vehicle for up to 180 days
SECOND OFFENSE (within seven years)
Misdemeanor
$200-$1,000 fine
One or more of the following:
Five days-one year in jail
30-90 days of community service
Minimum one-year license revocation/denial
License plate confiscation
90-180 days of vehicle immobilization unless
the vehicle is forfeited
Courts may order vehicle forfeiture
THIRD OFFENSE (within 10 years)
One-five years of license revocation/denial
License plate confiscation
One-three years of vehicle immobilization unless the vehicle is forfeited
Vehicle registration denial
Court may order vehicle forfeiture
Following are the penalties for operating While Intoxicated or with the Presence of Schedule 1 Drugs or Cocaine
FIRST OFFENSE
Misdemeanor-One or more of the following:
Up to 93 days in jail
$300 fine
Up to 360 hours of community service
90-day license restriction
180-day restriction for Operating While
Impaired by Drugs
Four points on the driving record
Court may immobilize vehicle for up to 180 days
SECOND OFFENSE (within seven years)
Misdemeanor
$200-$1,000 fine. One or more of the following:
Five days-one year in jail
30-90 days of community service
Minimum one-year license revocation/denial
License plate confiscation
90-180 days of vehicle immobilization unless the vehicle is forfeited
Court may order vehicle forfeiture
THIRD OFFENSE (within 10 years)
One-five years of license revocation/denial
License plate confiscation
One-three years of vehicle immobilization
unless the vehicle is forfeited
Vehicle registration denial
Court may order vehicle forfeiture
THIRD OFFENSE (in a lifetime)
Felony
$500-$5,000 fine and either:
One-five years in jail
Probation with 30 days-one year in jail
and 60-180 days of community service
If you refuse the chemical test once, you will lose your driver’s license for 12 months. Six points will be added to your driving record.
If you refuse a second time, you will lose your driver’s license for two years. Six points will be added to your driving record.
THIRD OFFENSE (in a lifetime)
Felony
$500-$5,000 fine and either:
One-five years in jail
Probation with 30 days-one year in jail and 60-180 days of community service
The laws are tough on motorists who drink, drive, and cause a crash resulting in injury or death:
If you cause serious injury, you may face a maximum $5,000 fine and five years in jail.
If you cause a death, you may face a maximum $10,000 fine and 15 years in jail.
If you cause the death of emergency personnel, you may face a maximum $10,000 fine and 20 years in jail.
You also face a maximum five-year license revocation, three-year vehicle immobilization—unless forfeited--and vehicle registration denial.
merci benny