Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Too lenient on DUIs

I was very disappointed in our municipal and district courts when reading the June 19 Spokesman-Review. Three of our judges’ cases were reviewed, and they saw 23 defendants being charged with driving while intoxicated. Of the 23, only five left the courtroom with a DUI on their driving record. The remaining 18 cases all resulted in a fine, probation and a lesser charge.

I believe the vast majority would consider this to be sending the wrong message to these 18 lucky individuals, and sending the wrong message to our police officers when they do an outstanding job of recognizing and stopping these people from driving.

DUI is a serious offense and in the majority of cases should have serious consequences. Five of 23 would hardly be considered the majority.

Kevin Flatt

Spokane



Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-3815

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy