Dear editor,
How many times does someone get treatment instead of prison?
I am referring to Marathon County’s OWI Court which offers a get of jail free card to anyone with four or more DUIs. And if it happens that you still haven’t gotten sentenced for your third OWI where you had an 11-year-old child in the car, you get out of jail for that one, too. It doesn’t even matter if the person already completed another treatment instead of prison program in another county.
Wisconsin has made OWI laws tougher in recent years only for Marathon County to not enforce them at all. Why do we have laws if they are not enforced? Why do we spend $80,000 a year offering counseling and services to repeat offenders only to offer them another program next time? Compare that to zero dollars in services to the children who were the victims of their neglect and endangerment.
Trista McClure of Wausau
Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.
