And more importantly, there's a difference between "punishment" and "rehabilitation." My friend with the DUI from Michigan served 72 hours in jail. All the rest of this shit is part of her "rehabilitation." Like the breathalyzer that she can't do at her house. Like the twice weekly AA meetings she must attend, to the total annoyance of AA, because she's not even vaguely an alcoholic. Like the letters she had to get fifteen friends write (and notarize) talking about how we never see her touch that demon liquor and how she's totally a changed person now that she's been in lockstep with the good ole state of Michigan. Like the $225 an hour she gets to pay that lawyer to read our letters, proof-read them, and then send back for changes so the whole cycle can begin again. The "punishment" was 72 hours in jail. All the rest of this bullshit? That's to keep our streets safer. Right? Right.
That's aweful. I always been confused by DUI laws. One guy I know had his license suspended and had to attend classes just for carrying an open beer (For someone else) in public while underage, while not driving. Another has gotten two DUIs for driving high and to my knowledge, has not gone through nearly the same shit.
The truly galling thing is she can't drive. She has no license. She gave it up so that she'd have less time under "probation." So there's no reason for Michigan (or any other state) to care what her blood alcohol level is - she's not operating a motor vehicle. But she still has to blow in a tube twice a day. Michigan doesn't care whether she's driving a vehicle drunk. They know that if she does that's a whole 'nuther crime. They care whether she's drinking at all. And, as I mentioned, in order to consider her "rehabilitated" (which is what she needs to be, in order for Michigan to release her license number so that she can get a license in another state, EVER) she has to get fifteen friends to testify under penalty of perjury that she's not just not drinking and driving, but that she's a teetotaler. First offense. Had she caused "property damage" while under the influence, her first offense would be a FELONY DUI and she'd be eligible for up to five years in prison... and she'd never be allowed to vote again. And every time she filled out a job application, she'd have to check that box that says "yes" next to "have you ever been convicted of a felony."