Man Pleads Guilty To DUI In Crash That Killed Girlfriend

[careless hal]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/01/09/man-pleads-guilty-to-dui-in-crash-that-killed-girlfriend/

Such a sad situaion.  I hope they throw the book at him.

[Wilderness]

hal,
       Deaths related to DUI's are manslaughter.
Depending upon the defendants criminal and/or DUI history, severity of penalty is not really judicial discretionary in most states. The judges have sentence guidelines to follow.

 Maybe 6-years tops and served time would be reduced drastically.

 Hardly seems fair.

[careless hal]

According to the article, 14 years is the Max., but you are right.  Even with that he would most likely serve only half.

[Wilderness]

hal,
      Given the expense of keeping people incarcerated these days, even minimum convictions are reduced further, and after the fact.

[newandimproved]

hal,
       Deaths related to DUI's are manslaughter.
Depending upon the defendants criminal and/or DUI history, severity of penalty is not really judicial discretionary in most states. The judges have sentence guidelines to follow.

 Maybe 6-years tops and served time would be reduced drastically.

 Hardly seems fair.

Agree on the sentence guidelines, in this case 3-14 are the numpers, but does in fact give the judge a great degree of latitude as to where he will come down....Semantics aside, discretion is in fact exercised within the statutory sentencing guidelines.

[newandimproved]

Agree on the sentence guidelines, in this case 3-14 are the numpers, but does in fact give the judge a great degree of latitude as to where he will come down....Semantics aside, discretion is in fact exercised within the statutory sentencing guidelines.

and unless I am reading the sentencing guidelines, judge also has the discretion to give a period of up to 4 years probation in lieu of prison time...