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Smile, you're on DUI Web site

Smile, you're on DUI Web site

By Katie McDevitt, Tribune
December 14, 2005

Driving drunk now comes at an even higher price public shame. Sobering Sentences, a Web site created by the Maricopa County Attorneys Office, displays names and faces of people convicted of driving under the influence.

It also tells stories of children killed by drunken drivers, and flashes photos of fiery crashes and disfigured faces.

"If these people feel embarrassed to have their pictures up, then frankly thats tough," County Attorney Andrew Thomas said. "Maybe other people tempted to drive drunk will see this and realize this is the type of fame they would rather not have."

The Web site will display only convicted offenders, focusing on extreme or aggravated DUI offenses. The photos will be changed
monthly.

"I certainly think it seems a little gimmicky," said Scott Maasen, a Scottsdale defense attorney. "This is the same thing we see with Sheriff Joes jail cameras, and you dont see crime rates going down."

"Everyone on here has been convicted, but this appears to us to be an additional punishment imposed by the (county attorney), not a jury, judge or Legislature" said Dawn Wyland, interim director of the Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. "The (county attorneys) job is not to sit around and figure out additional ways to punish people."

Web sites that display sex offenders in a similar manner are authorized by statute, Wyland said.

The Web site also has:

Links to DUI statutes and organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Statewide news about drunken driving.

Attorney Kathleen Carey

Kathleen Carey is an experienced and passionate advocate for her clients.

Ms. Carey offers a free initial case evaluation, and will go over the facts of your case, your history, your rights and options.

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