Concerning the guy and the accident, the reason why many sentences for drunk driving accidents seem lenient, even ones including a vehicular homicide charge, is primarily, because we are for the most part a nation made of of Christians and "christians", and this makes us believers in redemption, which is a good thing in my opinion. Alcoholism is a disease and the alcoholic is not responsible for having it. That said, the alcoholic should in no way be excused for his negative actions and criminal acts, and should be held accountable for that. It should also be understood that in a society where drinking is celebrated like our own, alcoholism is a mitigating factor. We all know (those of us who have partaken in alcoholic festivities), that even in non alcoholics, alcohol reduces and impairs the ability to make responsible decisions, and therefore we should be a bit more understanding in such cases. If the guy did this stone cold sober but just speeding because he had no consideration for others, in my opinion that a far more heinous crime.
I would recommend a long term treatment facility no less than one year and up to a two year inpatient facility. None of this 28 day crap. Longer treatments are proven more effective and in such cases is important. Some time in jail, no less than thirty days and no more than one year, as a drunk is most likely not a hardened criminal and prison is too much in this case. If sentencing is a longer term, a minimum or medium security prison at worst. As my links to the actual studies show shorter sentences and longer probation periods are much more effective at curbing recidivism which in my mind is key. Also some sort of community service in perhaps a local ER so that the offender gets to see the real life victims of such irresponsibility. License should be revoked perhaps for a 2-5 year period, but not for life. How do you expect the poor bastard to get to work and earn a living and the money to pay back into the system the costs of his treatment and incarceration, which should be that last part of his sentence?
A little common sense in the penal system is sorely lacking. If my ideas don't seem harsh enough to you, in my opinion, you are either a believer in the revenge system which only exacerbates the crime problem in America, or just pain ignorant of the facts of what is effective, and sorely lacking in empathy for your fellow man. May god bless you with an experience to help you see the light!
