Courts and Political Correctness

It's all over now and I can vent. Last November, my son was the sole survivor of a triple fatality accident. Three minority males died when their car crossed lanes and struck my sons' truck at 87 mph. (he was doing 55 mph in his own lane, in a 45 mph zone)) Both cars rolled and were totaled. My son was wearing a seat belt. The deceased were not. Their car had an unlicensed driver, no registration, and no insurance.

Initially the press salivated, reporting very slanted stories and headlines. Why? Because my son, following the accident, "blew" a .09, just BARELY over the legal limit. One headline read; "Three Die in Accident; Drunk Driver Arrested." For ten days we waited for the official accident report. When it came, exonerating my son completely, the press and media gave it barely a passing mention. For many days he had gotten death threats and blanket media coverage (including front page photos) as the "killer".

After three days in jail (unheard of for a first time, clean record, misdemeanor DUI) my son was bailed out at $7500 (normal for DUI is $1000). The trial was a farce. The first judge exceeded all guidelines, sentencing him to ONE YEAR in jail with all but thirty days suspended. Of course we appealed. At the second trial my son received the standard sentence, as he should have the first time; thirty days, ALL suspended, $250 fine, substance abuse class ($300), restricted license.

We were never looking for a "break", just the NORMAL sentence. But this case had "political" ramifications and the first judge "played" to a certain constituency. Thankfully, the second judge applied the law. Repeatedly he had to shut down the D.A. who kept trying to interject the "fatality" issue, which, of course, was irrelevant. "But three people died, your honor" etc. The judge actually had to point out to the D.A. that my son was ALSO a VICTIM, through no fault of his own.

It took seven months but justice did prevail. Ever had a similar situation as the victim of "P.C."?