Pilot On Line - Alfred "James" Forbes Jr. has been booked into the city jail more times than he can remember. In the past 15 years, records show he's been incarcerated 27 times. Since 1993 when he was first booked, it's been 60. In the past five years alone, he's spent nearly 800 days in custody.
... Forbes is one of the hundreds — possibly thousands — of people who've earned the title "habitual drunkard" under an obscure state law that dates back to the 1800s. The statute allows judges to slap the label on anyone convicted of driving under the influence — even just one time — as well as someone who has "shown himself to be a habitual drunkard."
Once a person gets the designation, they are no longer allowed to have alcohol and can be arrested anytime they're found with it. Just being near it — or smelling like it — can land them behind bars. A conviction can result in a year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine.
1 comment:
A person might argue that Virginia's law is "Enlightened".
My State goes just the opposite direction, with people driving after getting a DUI... even multiple DUIs. Then getting into an accident, with bad outcomes.
On a different subject... I've wondered how "Pot" might be tested on drivers who appear to be under-the-influence. Is there a 'breath' test, or Urine. Or is the person brought to a hospital and get blood tested.
Just curious.
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