Otero County Magistrate Court Logs

Why does a 3rd time DWI offender get less jail time than a 2nd time offender?....

Peter Rocha, 47, of Ruidoso Downs, was sentenced to 90 days in jail, given five years probation, and assessed $1,040 in fines and court costs for aggravated third offense DWI. Rocha was ordered to report for alcohol screening and to perform 96 hours of community service. In addition, he was ordered to install and maintain an ignition interlock system for a period of three years. Additional charge: open container.

Salomon Apodaca, 46, of 906 Monroe, was sentenced to 364 days in jail, given five years probation, and assessed $795 in fines and court costs for second offense DWI. The defendant was ordered to report for alcohol screening and to perform 48 hours of community service. In addition, Apodaca was ordered to install and maintain an ignition interlock system

The both of them should have been executed without delay. We all make mistakes now and then - one mistake is granted, pay the price, learn from it, and don't do it again.

Mandatory death is a powerful deterrent. Chronic drunk driving problem SOLVED and a huge savings to the taxpayers funding the continued existence of these useless skin bags.

jmh3,

My guess is that Peter had the open container charge and Salomon did not. Maybe Peter offered the cop a beer for a lesser sentence.

Honestly, I completely agree with you that this is ridiculous.

Drunk Driving is not taken seriuosly in New Mexico or any where else for that matter, as you can see by the laughable sentences all of these people got...You actually have to kill or mame someone before they look at you and hand out a harsher punishment, then that doesn't happen always. People who hurt animals get stiffer punishments.

Raptor Mom wrote:

jmh3,
My guess is that Peter had the open container charge and Salomon did not. Maybe Peter offered the cop a beer for a lesser sentence.
Honestly, I completely agree with you that this is ridiculous.

It has to do with blood alcohol content, also to take to heart everything you read....sometimes it's blown out of proportion. 10-4?

He the government really wanted to make a difference about drunk driving they would make everyone get an interlock even people who are too high and mighty to admit they might just drink a little bit and then drive.

I definately dont agree with driving drunk. all new cars should come with one. all old cars should be required to install one. and he you get caught having someone else blow in it for you them you should have your car taken.

Oh ya. if you i get caught driving a car that does not have one then they should get to smash the car. some peoples material things are much more important than other peoples lives.