Friday, October 31, 2008

County Attorney Thomas' Opponent Soft on DUI Offenders; Thinks the Web Isn't for Shaming Drunk Drivers

Nelson Wants to Get Rid of Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas’ DUI Website
Just One of Many Thomas Tough-on-Crime Policies Nelson Would Roll Back
PHOENIX, AZ – October 31, 2005 – Maricopa County Attorney candidate Tim Nelson has made a lot of promises this campaign season. Interestingly, they all seem to be a promise to change Andrew Thomas’ tough-on-crime policies. Joining his long list of Thomas policies that he wants to see done away with: a website that features DUI offenders.

Nelson’s list of changes also include reducing the amount of death penalty cases the County Attorney’s Office would seek; cutting more plea deals with criminal defense lawyers; and rolling back the prosecution of illegal immigrants.

“My opponent seems to think that shaming criminals is somehow a bad thing,” said Thomas. “I think it’s a deterrent to drunk driving. I also think that the death penalty is a deterrent. It would appear that’s another place we don’t see eye-to-eye.”

The website www.stopduiaz.com features the mug shots, blood alcohol level, fines and jail time doled out to people convicted of DUI in several cities in Maricopa County.

“I consider stopduiaz.com to be more than a deterrent by scaring people that they’ll be shamed if they are caught drunk-driving,” Thomas continued. “It is also very educational. To see in black and white what people are being fined and sentenced to makes one think twice before getting behind the wheel. I’m truly puzzled why my opponent wants to do away with a public service like this.”

For more information or to schedule an interview with Andrew Thomas, please contact Jason Rose or Jim Sharpe.

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