[darkpuma]

DUIs can be a lot more serious than just a few hundred dollar fine. They can result in the loss of your license (and consequently your ability to work), possibly several months in jail, and bar you for life from some countries (Canada won't let you visit if you've gotten a DUI.)

Spending many thousands of dollars on lawyer fees to get yourself out of a DUI can make a lot of sense unless you're in a jurisdiction that doesn't take DUI seriously. Of course it makes a lot more sense to only drive when bone dry sober.

[LeftTurnSignal]

Trust me, I know they can be serious, but

>> jurisdiction that doesn't take DUI seriously

That describes where this was at perfectly. Which is why I had put

>> It was his first offense and this state is very lenient on DUIs.

I probably should have used a different word than lenient, but it is what it is.

[jessaustin]

I would propose "rational". The level of animosity and punishment directed at checkpoint victims in most of USA is really quite amazing, and totally out of proportion to any reasonable understanding of the risks of automobile travel.