The Right to Remain Silent

The Right to Remain Silent, originally uploaded by Lindsay Beyerstein.

The drunk driver who flipped his car on Smith Street tonight is taken away in handcuffs.

Comments

[The Phantom]

How do you know he was a drunk driver? Did you smell his breath?

Drivers who aren't drunk can get into crashes/accidents, too, including those involving only one moving car like this.

I'm militant on the subject of drunk driving. I'm completely in favor of very low thresholds for DUI/Drunk Driving --the 0.02% mg/ml standards of the Swedes and Norwegians is fine by me. When a drunk driver kills someone, I would want him/her charged with murder.

But though the police on the scene said he was a "drunk", and I'd bet my house that they're right, it's bad form to presume guilt, is it not? Isn't it just as easy to throw in the word "alleged"?

We remember a short time ago when the Duke students were called "rapists" in this space. Which wasn't right then, and certainly isn't right now in the light of all the revelations that have come to light since then.

[Lindsay Beyerstein]

A police officer told me that he was drunk.

[DJA]

OT, but Phantom, you should email me at djargon {at} mac {dot} com so we can find a mutually convenient time for me to buy your Lieberbeers. This coming week is no good for me; the following week might work.

[The Phantom]

DJA

Will do.