He explained how alcohol-related cases, if brought to the

He explained how alcohol-related cases, if brought to the public’s attention, “would give an indication of how much time and money is spent by the judicial system in the prosecution of these defendants.”

The Rappahannock News asked the same question of local attorney David Konick.

Konick said he didn’t think the paper would be fair to highlight a person convicted of a particular offense.

“There are many more serious crimes against people and property that receive little or no publicity,” he said. “Although it’s true that driving under the influence creates a very serious risk to the defendant, his passengers and innocent bystanders, in Rappahannock County a review of the record would reveal that very few of these cases actually resulted in actual property damage or personal iiyury,” Konick explained.

“The newspaper will be focusing public attention on people who may be technical violators where their actions haven’t resulted in damage or ii\jury. In other crimes, this is not the cm*.”

Konick went on to state: “It wouldn’t have any deterrent value. Anyone who’s stupid enough to endanger their life or the lives of others won’t be deterred from such a course because their names will be printed in the Rappahannock News.”

Konick believes that “Virginia should have ‘Driving While Impaired’ laws.”

Currently, many people, he says, are over the legal limit but not to an intoxicated extent.

It is not, Konick believes, a matter of black and white. A person may have had too much to drink and still drive illegally, but it’s “different than saying they endangered life or property.” He believes Driving While Impaired convictions should carry lesser penalties.

Sheriff John Henry Woodward said, “If it is highlighted like that, they may think twice about getting caught.”

Sgt. Todd Brown of the Sheriffs Department agreed, adding, “They (the guilty ones) sure won’t like it much.”